Mississippi Criminal Law BlogTwo Teens Charged After Driving Stolen Truck and Causing Crash
According to WLOX, two teens are facing a slew of charges after crashing a stolen vehicle into a school bus in D’lberville and attempting to evade arrest. Reports indicate that the incident began when officers received an alert that a stolen 2021 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling eastbound on I-10. Around the same time the initial alert was put out, another officer in the area spotted a vehicle matching the description of the stolen truck and attempted to stop it. Rather than stopping, the vehicle accelerated which led to a pursuit. According to reports, the driver attempted to turn at a high rate of speed causing the said driver to lose control and crash into another driver, which subsequently struck a school bus. Both the driver and the passenger are under the age of 18, and were charged with receiving stolen property, minor in possession of a firearm, and simple possession of marijuana. The driver was also charged with eluding.
How Does Mississippi Define Receiving Stolen Property?
Under Mississippi law, an individual commits the crime of receiving stolen property if he or she intentionally possess, receives, retains or disposes of stolen property knowing that it has been stolen or having otherwise reasonable grounds to believe it has been stolen. However, if the property is possessed, received, retained or disposed of with the intent to restore it to the lawful owner, the individual has not committed the crime of receiving stolen property.
What are the Penalties for Receiving Stolen Property?
In Mississippi, receiving stolen property is classified as a felony offense, and the penalties for conviction can be severe. If an individual is convicted of receiving stolen property which exceeds $1,000 but is less than $5,000 in value, he or she may face up to five (5) years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. If an individual is convicted of receiving stolen property which exceeds $5,000 but is less than $25,000 in value, he or she may face up to ten (10) years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Additionally, if an individual is convicted of receiving stolen property which exceeds $25,000 in value, he or she may face up to twenty (20) years in prison, a fine of $10,000, or both. However, if an individual is convicted of receiving stolen property which is less than $1,000 in value, he or she may face up to six (6) months in the county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
Finding an Attorney
If you have been searching the Mississippi area for a qualified, experienced criminal defense attorney, look no further than Vic Carmody Jr., P.A. Over the years, we have helped numerous offenders pursue favorable outcomes. Although being accused of a crime like receiving stolen property is not a pleasant experience, there are many potential defense strategies that can be used to defend and reduce the charges against an offender. Call/contact us today for your free consultation to learn more.