Parole is an important source of hope for many incarcerated criminals in Mississippi. It represents a chance to get out of prison and pursue some semblance of a normal life. Due to new developments with the Mississippi Earned Parole Eligibility Act, parole may be closer than ever before. However, there are still those who are prevented from pursuing parole under any circumstances. The exact restrictions can seem a little complicated, but it is definitely worth pursuing, even if there is a slim chance of parole.
Of course, your chances of achieving parole increase dramatically when you work with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Mississippi. Our legal professionals are familiar with the newest developments in Mississippi’s criminal law, especially when it comes to parole. With our assistance, you can pursue parole with confidence.
Who Can Pursue Parole?
Due to recent chances in Mississippi’s Earned Parole Eligibility Act, a wider range of individuals may be eligible for parole. These include:
- Individuals who have served 25% of their sentence for a nonviolent crime
- Individuals who have served 10 years of their sentence for a nonviolent crime
- Individuals who have served 50% of their sentence for a violent crime
- Individuals who have served 20 years of their sentence for a violent crime
- Individuals who have served 60% of their sentence for armed crimes
- Habitual drug offenders who have served 25% of their sentence
- Habitual drug offenders who have served 10 years of their sentence
- Sex offenders under the age of 19
These individuals can choose the lower number when faced with either a percentage of time served or a set number of years.
Who Cannot Pursue Parole
However, it is important to note that many individuals are still barred from pursuing parole. These include:
- Habitual offenders
- Sex offenders
- Capital offenders
- Anyone sentence to life imprisonment
- Anyone sentenced to life imprisonment without eligibility for parole
- Anyone sentenced for murder
- Anyone sentenced for human trafficking
- Anyone sentenced for drug trafficking
- Anyone convicted of an offense that specifically prohibits parole
How Do I Get Parole?
When you are admitted into the department’s custody, you will be notified of your parole eligibility within 90 days. You will then receive a case plan, after which the department will send the case plan to the Parole Board for approval. Next, a caseworker will start meeting with you every eight weeks. Progress reports will be submitted every four months. Eventually, a hearing will be scheduled, and you will have a chance to pursue parole in court with the help of your attorney.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
If you have been searching the Mississippi area for a qualified, experienced criminal defense attorney, look no further than Vic Carmody Jr., P.A. We have considerable experience with a wide range of criminal cases in Mississippi, and we can help you pursue parole in the most efficient way possible. The recent chances in Mississippi’s Earned Parole Eligibility Act mean that parole may be finally within grasp. Do not let this opportunity slip away. Book your consultation today.
What is the Penalty for Robbing a Bank in Mississippi?
When people are under serious financial pressure, they often feel that they have no choice but to commit serious crimes. Robbing a bank is one of those crimes, and people in Mississippi have been trying to rob banks for hundreds of years. But what happens if you are caught trying to rob a bank in the Magnolia State? What kind of penalties could you face, and what are some of the aggravating circumstances?
If you have been charged with crimes related to bank robbery in Mississippi, it makes sense to get in touch with our experienced criminal defense attorney at your earliest convenience. Make no mistake, you face serious legal consequences. However, we can help you mitigate many of these consequences. With our help, you can strive for a positive legal outcome.
Examples of Bank Robbery Sentences in Mississippi
On September 30th, the Department of Justice reported that a 35-year-old man from Jackson had been sentenced to 13 years and eight months in prison for bank robbery. After his sentence is complete, he will be given five years of supervised release. In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay more than $5,000 in restitution. This individual had used a firearm while robbing a bank. Whenever someone uses a firearm while carrying out a crime, the penalties immediately become much more severe. In the end, he pleaded guilty to violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a) and (d). These are federal laws, and they specifically refer to the use of a deadly weapon and endangering the lives of others while attempting to rob a bank.
On October 8th, it was reported that another Mississippi man had been sentenced to 47 months in federal prison for robbing a bank in Jackson. This individual did not use a firearm, and instead handed the teller a note stating that he would kill her if she did not hand over $5,000. The teller gave him about $4,000 before he left the bank, got into a car, and later crashed. This individual was ordered to pay $4,240 in restitution.
As you can see, the penalties become notably worse if you use a firearm while robbing a bank. Judging by the above examples, those who use firearms can expect prison sentences roughly three times longer than those who do not.
Mississippi’s Bank Robbery Laws
Mississippi also has its own robbery and burglary laws. Once again, the penalties depend on whether people were endangered or harmed, and they also depend on the types of weapons or equipment used to carry out the robbery. For example, “burglary with explosives” carries a penalty of up to 40 years in prison.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
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 defendants fight for their rights. Although Mississippi certainly takes bank robberies seriously, there is no reason why you should have to face unnecessarily harsh penalties. Reach out today, book your consultation, and we can immediately start working on a defense strategy together.