Mississippi Criminal Law BlogA couple of weeks ago, Jerrell Powe, a former standout and six (6) year NFL player, appeared in court and was charged with kidnapping and conspiring to commit a crime. The Ridgeland Police Chief disclosed that the incident began in Laurel, Mississippi and ended after the alleged victim was able to contact Ridgeland police. According to WLBT-TV, the individual stated that he was not only kidnapped “against his will,” but “forced to withdraw” money at a local bank.
According to a spokesperson for Powe, however, the entire incident was the result of a scam. Apparently, Powe had loaned money to the alleged victim and was only trying to get his money back. Whether Powe believes he was in the wrong or not, the charges he faces are very serious and could carry severe consequences.
How Does Mississippi Define Kidnapping?
Under Mississippi Law, kidnapping is defined as any person who:
1) Forcibly seizes and confines another individual, without lawful authority to do so,
2) Kidnaps another person with the intent to cause said person to be confined or imprisoned against his or her will, or
3) Forcibly seizes or kidnaps, without lawful authority, any vulnerable person or child under the age of sixteen (16) years against the will of the child’s parents, guardian, or person having lawful custody
Any individual accused of kidnapping to be indicted or tried either in the county where the kidnapping occurred, or in any county that the individual was taken into or through while being kidnapped.
What Happens if Someone is Convicted of Kidnapping in Mississippi?
The penalties for kidnapping are serious and severe. If convicted of kidnapping in Mississippi, the offender could face imprisonment for the rest of their lives, if the jury agrees on such a punishment in its verdict. However, if the jury fails to agree on imprisonment for life for the offender, then the court must determine a punishment that consists of anywhere between a one (1) year minimum and thirty (30) year maximum. Additionally, a convicted felon can face a number of other life-altering consequences, such as restraining orders, exclusion from numerous jobs, and educational opportunities.
What Should You Do If You Have Questions?
As Jerrell Powe’s situation indicates, believing that you did not commit a kidnapping offense does not mean that you will not be arrested and charged with a crime, or that a court will not find you guilty of that crime. Defending a kidnapping case is an incredibly detailed and difficult process. There are not many attorneys who have the proper experience to take on such a case. If you or someone you know has been charged with a kidnapping offense in Mississippi, you need the help of an experienced, qualified attorney who will fight your case from start to finish. You need the help of Vic Carmody Jr., P.A. No matter the circumstances of your case, the sooner you get in touch with one of our well qualified attorneys, the better the chance that we will be able to fight your case for the best possible outcome.
Over the years Vic Carmody Jr. has become a champion of criminal defense in Mississippi. Vic Carmody Jr. has been fighting for the people of Mississippi for over 43 years, and his reputation reflects why he is a “First Call™” attorney for citizens across the Magnolia State.
The attorneys at Vic Carmody, Jr. P.A. know how to fight these cases in Mississippi, and we have a team of experts ready to help.
To take the first step in fighting your case, give us a call for a free consultation at (601) 948-4444, option 1, or send us an email at vic@mississippi-lawyers.com.
If you’d like to learn more about Vic Carmody Jr., P.A. and our robust practice areas, please visit our website at www.mississippi-lawyers.com and view our client success stories on www.avvo.com, www.superlawyers.com, and www.martindale.com.