Mississippi Criminal Law BlogDomestic Violence is an issue that impacts all parts of society, regardless of a person’s race, gender, or income level. Recently, UFC (Ultimate Fighting Competition) President Dana White made headlines for slapping his wife at a nightclub. According to reports, White and his wife were seen arguing before he slapped her in the face. A video of the altercation quickly surfaced on social media, drawing outrage and criticism from across the sports world. While both parties supposedly apologized to one another, many are saying that White committed an act of domestic violence and should be removed as UFC head. White, himself, is even quoted as saying that, “there’s one thing you never bounce back from, and that’s putting your hands on a woman.”
White is the most recent public figure to be cast into the spotlight for a domestic violence issue. When looking at statistics, the impact and frequency of these issues on everyday people is staggering. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), one in three women and one in four men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. This includes a range of behaviors, including actions as simple as slapping, shoving, and pushing.
How is Simple Domestic Violence Defined in Mississippi?
Mississippi defines simple domestic violence in three distinct categories: as an attempt to cause or a purposeful, knowing, and reckless causing of bodily injury to another; as a negligent or unintentional causing of bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon or other means likely to result in death or serious bodily harm; or as an attempt by physical threat to put another in fear of immediate serious bodily harm.
What Are Mississippi’s Mandatory Arrest Laws For Simple Domestic Violence?
In Mississippi, if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a person has knowingly committed an act of domestic violence, the officer is required to arrest that person. Probable cause can be established by simply showing that there was reason to suspect that a domestic violence incident has occurred. Furthermore, a law enforcement officer does not need a warrant to perform an arrest for simple domestic violence.
Once a law enforcement officer makes an arrest for simple domestic violence, there is nothing that can be done to fight the arrest, as long as the officer can prove that they made the arrest based on probable cause.
What Are The Consequences For Simple Domestic Violence in Mississippi?
A person convicted of simple domestic violence will be subject to a fine of up to Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both. This punishment carries for a person’s first two simple domestic violence convictions. If a person is convicted of a third simple domestic violence offense, they will be subject to a term of imprisonment of five (5) to ten (10) years in the state penitentiary.
In addition to fines and jail time, a person convicted of simple domestic violence may be subject to a variety of other punishments, including restraining orders, probation, mandatory anger management classes, loss of custody and visitation of their children, disqualification from employment opportunities, a lifetime ban on possession and ownership of firearms and ineligibility for certain degree programs.
What Should You Do If You Have Been Arrested on a Simple Domestic Violence Charge in Mississippi?
As Dana White’s situation shows, anyone can find themselves in the crosshairs of a domestic violence charge. If you find yourself charged with simple domestic violence 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 expert attorneys, the better chance you have of a favorable outcome.
Over the years, Vic Carmody Jr. has helped numerous defendants who are facing a domestic violence charge. Our attorneys 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.