Mississippi Criminal Law Blog

In November of 2020, a woman was arrested after being accused of a drive-by shooting in Mississippi. Although no one was hurt during the incident, it represents yet another instance of this dangerous crime in the Magnolia State. Because of the connection between drive-by shootings and gang activity, lawmakers in Mississippi have created special laws that govern this crime.

If you have been charged with a drive-by shooting offense, you face considerable legal consequences. In order to give yourself the best possible chance of a favorable outcome, it is important to hire a qualified, experienced criminal defense lawyer who can fight for your freedoms and your rights.

What is the Definition of a Drive-By Shooting in Mississippi?

Credit card fraud is a serious offense in the state of Mississippi, and you may face serious consequences if you are found guilty. There are several laws that govern credit card fraud in the Magnolia State; in certain circumstances, you may even face felony charges. There are many crimes that fall under the general category of credit card fraud, and you may have committed one of these crimes without even being aware of it.

If you have been charged with credit card fraud in Mississippi, it is always a good idea to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. Ideally, you should enlist the help of a criminal defense attorney who has considerable experience with these matters. With the right lawyer by your side, you can mitigate any consequences and face fewer penalties for your alleged crimes.

What Constitutes Credit Card Fraud?

For many bored teens and children in Mississippi, going out and vandalizing someone’s property might sound like a good time. Unfortunately, these acts may result in serious legal consequences. If your child is a minor, you may be liable for damages if they vandalize someone else’s property. Although this might seem unfair, the state must ensure that people are compensated for damage done to their houses, cars, or livestock. Since a child typically does not have the financial means to compensate a property owner for these damages, the responsibility falls instead on the parents. 

When am I Liable for My Child’s Vandalism?

There are a number of situations in which you may be held liable for your child’s property damage and vandalism. According to Mississippi Code section 93-13-2, parents are held liable when their children “maliciously or willfully” damage another person’s property. 

If you are facing criminal charges in Mississippi, you may not be sure about the difference between burglary and larceny. While both of these crimes involve theft, they also have many

differences. It is always a good idea to educate yourself on these matters if you think you may be facing either a burglary or larceny charge. That being said, the best course of action is to consult with a legal expert who can explain these matters in more detail. A qualified, experienced attorney can also guide you through the next steps of your criminal defense case.

What is Larceny? 

In incidents that lead to someone’s death, there can often be a fine line between manslaughter and murder; however, there is a big difference in punishment. In the state of Mississippi, courts will look at every aspect of the case to determine the difference between murder and manslaughter.

In simple terms, the difference between murder and manslaughter in Mississippi is that manslaughter is unintentional, while murder is intentional. Specifically, the term used to define murder is “malice aforethought,” or the intent to kill. Generally speaking, if an intent to kill cannot be proven, then the courts will opt for a manslaughter charge.

Depending on the circumstances, there can be multiple levels of each crime.

Getting accused of a hate crime in the state of Mississippi is a serious situation that needs to be assessed wisely. Because of the subjective matter of what can be categorized as a hate crime by the victim, simply saying the wrong words in the wrong way can result in years of prison time. If you have been accused of a hate crime, you will need to know if the victim has a case and whether you can defend against it. The first step is to learn a little bit more about how hate crimes are handled in Mississippi.

How Is a Hate Crime Defined in Mississippi?

A hate crime in Mississippi is defined as a felony or misdemeanor that is perceived to be motivated by the following things: