Mississippi Criminal and Family Law Blog

Anyone facing criminal charges is a traumatic experience. One of the most serious charges is rape. This charge carries a long prison sentence and the stigma of a felony conviction based on a violent sexual conviction and a life time sexual offender registration. If you find yourself in this position, it is important that you…

It is perfectly legal to carry a handgun while operating a motor vehicle in Mississippi, even if you do not have an open-carry permit or license. But as soon as you start discharging your firearm from a vehicle, you run the risk of serious legal consequences. This is of course known as a “drive-by shooting,”…

Traditionally, the penalty for Driving Under the Influence is similar across the country. A person will usually be faced with jail, costly fines, and court costs. When the charge is elevated due to circumstances such as death or serious bodily injury, the penalties dramatically increase to a felony conviction. However, recently there have been changes…

“Fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle” is a serious offense in Mississippi. However, most of us know it better as simply “a car chase.” The reason this is viewed as such a serious crime in Mississippi should be obvious. When you are zooming down the street while evading the police,…

“Disorderly conduct” may seem like a vague phrase. After all, there are many acts that could potentially be considered disorderly conduct. So, how do you know if you are breaking the law? The truth is that you could face serious legal consequences for committing this crime, so it makes sense to gain a clear understanding…

Kidnapping is a serious offense in the state of Mississippi, and it may occur in a number of different ways. When most people think about kidnapping, they picture an armed person in a mask – perhaps pulling up in an unmarked van before grabbing someone off the street and holding them for ransom. But in…

Many people consider graffiti a form of “street art,” and they appreciate its urban influences and risque style. Unfortunately, the law does not share that opinion, and anyone caught vandalizing property can face serious penalties in the state of Mississippi. Some forms of vandalism are worse than others. For example, vandalizing a public building is…

Although there is no excuse for violence, in many cases alcohol use is what contributes to violence. Studies have shown that as many as one in four victims of violent crimes report being attacked by someone who had previously been consuming alcohol. This is especially prevalent in domestic violence cases where emotions can be escalated…

A government job can be exceedingly rewarding, providing job security, decent pay, and a range of notable benefits. Losing that job can be a real blow, especially if you have mouths to feed. So, what happens if you get a DUI in Mississippi? Could you lose your government job? This is what many government workers…

A “Romeo and Juliet” law is an exception in the law to prevent the prosecution of underage people who engage in consensual sex when both participants are significantly close in age, and one is below the age of consent. Named after William Shakespeare’s young lovers in the Romeo and Juliet play, these exceptions protect young…