MS Criminal Laws

Texas Man Arrested for Trafficking Pills Laced with Fentanyl in Mississippi

Published on: April 6, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

According to WLBT-TV, a Texas man has been charged with aggravated trafficking in Mississippi in mid-January. The man was allegedly arrested for trafficking over 10,000 pills, which consisted of fentanyl. As most are aware, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is extremely addictive and small doses of it can be deadly.

The incident occurred back in April when a Rankin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy stopped a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by the man as a result of a traffic violation. Reports indicate that a woman and child were also inside the vehicle at that time. Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputy reportedly observed that the back panel of the passenger seat was lying on the floor. The deputy also saw two large packages that were wrapped in electrical tape bulging from the altered passenger seat as well as a few blue M30 – commonly known as counterfeit oxycodone – pills on the floor.

After further investigation, the packages found in the vehicle were revealed to contain over 10,000 counterfeit blue M30 pills, containing both oxycodone and fentanyl. The man has since pled guilty to trafficking fentanyl and will serve 10 years at the Mississippi Department of Corrections without parole.

Disorderly Conduct: Police Charged in Car Chase Disaster

Published on: March 28, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

Four Hawaii police officers have been charged for their involvement in a September, 2021 car crash on the island of Oahu that injured six people, two of them severely.

According to Courthouse News Service, the prosecutor overseeing the case filed felony charges against the officers. Officials say the officers chased down a vehicle without using their squad cars’ lights or sirens, ran the vehicle off the road, causing it to crash, and then left without helping.

Based on indictment papers, the four officers responded to a noise complaint at a beach park around 3:30 a.m. The officers followed a white sedan out form the park onto a highway, where they pursued the car at high speeds without activating their sirens or blue lights at any time as required by law.

The Verdict is in for the Alex Murdaugh Trial

Published on: March 21, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

South Carolina lawyer, Alex Murdaugh, was once a respected figure in the legal community. He came from a prominent family of lawyers, with his father and grandfather both having successful careers in the legal profession. Alex himself was known for his skill and success in the courtroom. However, in 2021, the seemingly perfect life of Alex Murdaugh began to unravel. In June of that year, he discovered the bodies of his wife and son at their family home. At the time, it was believed that they had been killed in a botched robbery attempt, and Alex himself became a key figure in the investigation.

As the investigation unfolded, the story became more complicated. It was revealed that Alex had been involved in a number of shady financial dealings. He was heavily in debt and had even misappropriated funds from a settlement for a client. It was also discovered that he had arranged for a former client to kill him in order to collect a life insurance payout, but that the hitman had botched the job.

As the evidence mounted against him, it became clear that Alex Murdaugh was not the victim he had claimed to be. In fact, he appeared to be a master manipulator who had orchestrated a web of lies and deceit in order to cover up his own crimes. The prosecution presented compelling evidence against Alex Murdaugh in his murder trial. There were inconsistencies in his story about discovering the bodies of his wife and son, and the forensic evidence did not support his version of events. The prosecution also presented evidence of his financial troubles and the failed hit on his own life, suggesting that he had a motive to kill his wife and son.

When the Feds Come Knocking, You Need an Attorney

Published on: March 2, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

Facing criminal accusations of any kind can be scary as a conviction can result in severe penalties and affect your personal and professional lives. Hiring a criminal defense attorney is key to any sort of accusation that you may be facing in state or federal court. Working with a qualified criminal defense attorney with experience at the federal level can help you avoid a conviction or get reduced penalties.

Although certain crimes can lead to state-level investigations and trials, they may result in federal charges if you have violated any federal laws, affected interstate commerce, crossed state borders, or committed the crime on federal property. If federal agents conducted the investigation, the US Attorney can elect to prosecute you at the federal level.

Federal Prosecution Has More Resources for Investigation

Don’t Let a Criminal Charge Impact Your Whole Life

Published on: February 7, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

Criminal charges and accusations are serious matters. Even something as simple as a traffic ticket can have a lasting impact on your business and your personal life. The Carmody Law Firm can help you by vigorously defending your case so that you can go back to living your life.

Our criminal defense lawyers have decades of combined experience, and our firm has been trusted in the state of Mississippi for well over 43 years. When it comes to criminal law, experience is everything – and our attorneys at the Carmody Law Firm have the experience necessary to protect your rights in any court room.

Why Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney to Help Defend Your Rights?

Former Ole Miss and NFL Football Player Arrested on Kidnapping Charge

Published on: February 3, 2023 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

A couple of weeks ago, Jerrell Powe, a former standout and six (6) year NFL player, appeared in court and was charged with kidnapping and conspiring to commit a crime. The Ridgeland Police Chief disclosed that the incident began in Laurel, Mississippi and ended after the alleged victim was able to contact Ridgeland police. According to WLBT-TV, the individual stated that he was not only kidnapped “against his will,” but “forced to withdraw” money at a local bank.

According to a spokesperson for Powe, however, the entire incident was the result of a scam. Apparently, Powe had loaned money to the alleged victim and was only trying to get his money back. Whether Powe believes he was in the wrong or not, the charges he faces are very serious and could carry severe consequences.

How Does Mississippi Define Kidnapping?

What Happens if You Stalk People in Mississippi?

Published on: December 29, 2022 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

Many people do not realize the severity of Mississippi’s stalking laws. You might assume that following an ex-girlfriend around or even bugging her on social media is no big deal. Although no one is actually being “hurt” in these scenarios, you may be breaking the law. Read a few news stories about stalking in Mississippi within the past few years, and you will quickly realize that people who engage in these acts run the very real risk of going to prison. But what exactly happens when you stalk people in Mississippi, and what penalties might you face if you are caught?

Examples of Stalking in Mississippi and Across the United States

The most recent example of stalking came in November of 2022. This situation involved an individual who had allegedly used a dating app to stalk a victim. According to the Oxford Police Department, they had received a complaint from a victim who walked into the department to get help from this alleged stalking. No other information was provided about the incident, although the defendant was promptly arrested and issued a $15,000 bond. This shows that modern “stalking” may not simply involve following someone down the street. It may also involve dating apps, social media, and other digital communication tools without any actual direct contact.

Why You Should Consider a Private Criminal Defense Attorney

Published on: December 23, 2022 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

The type of defense that you put forth in your criminal case matters. If your legal arguments are poorly made, or if your representation simply isn’t aggressive enough, you might be at an increased risk of being not only convicted but also being hit with the harshest penalties allowable under the law.

That’s why it’s probably in your best interests to carefully consider the type of legal representation that you want on your side. If you qualify, you can be represented by a public defender, but these attorneys are notoriously overworked, which means that they might not be able to give you the time and attention that you and your case need and deserve.

Why You Should Consider Representation by a Private Attorney

Sex Crimes

Published on: December 22, 2022 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

According to an article from the associated press dated December 20, 2022, Harvey Weinstien was found guilty of sexual assault and rape in a Los Angeles court. Weiinstien is also currently serving a sentence for rape in New York. Weinstien was a big time hollywood executive that became the face of the metoo movement due to allegations surrounding his conduct with much younger female actresses. Weinstien’s sentence in New York is for a term of twenty-three years and he could be sentenced for up to twenty-four in California.

While the metoo movement has given way to other headlines in the last couple of years, the effects are still being seen round the country. Seeing people like Ghislane Maxwell, Jeffery Epstien, and Harvey Weinstien in prison are all public reminders of the movement but it goes much deeper than the rich and famous hollywood elites. All over the country the connotation around a sex crime accusation has shifted. While there was always a taboo and shamefulness attached to an alleged sex crime, it seems that in some instances the presumption of innocence has been flipped on its head and the accused is treated as if they are guilty until they prove their innocence. Of course, the criminal justice system is built on the presumption of innocence until an accused is found to be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury of his peers. Sex related crimes are also delicate because a conviction not only makes you a felon, it marks you as a convicted sex offender for the rest of your life, and may require you to register on the sex offender registry for the rest of your life. All of this in addition to your inability to own a firearm as a felon and difficulty finding employment.

Mentioned above are facts concerning Weinsstien’s sentencing. Sentencing, of course, varies from state to state. Here in Mississippi, the laws are clear and the punishments for sex crimes are severe. Rape, or forcible sexual intercourse, in Mississippi carries life in prison at the discretion of the jury. Should the jury elect not to sentence the convicted offender to life, the statute allows the judge to sentence the offender to any sentence that may be appropriate. The stakes are simply too high in sex crime cases, especially rape, to roll the dice with an inexperienced lawyer.

The Year is Coming to a Close-Don’t Find Yourself on Santa’s Naughty List

Published on: December 14, 2022 | by Vic Carmody Jr., P.A.

It’s no surprise that certain crimes spike around the holidays. Increased alcohol consumption, as well as financial and emotional stress, sometimes causes people to do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do. One example is drinking too much and then driving, or getting into a fight with a loved one, or shoplifting. Unfortunately, a poor decision now can have an impact long after the holidays are over. Here’s a look at a few common holiday crimes that can turn your “Christmas cheer into holiday tears!”

Driving While Intoxicated

During the holiday season, there is no shortage of celebrations and parties. Police often step-up DUI enforcement during this time of year, putting more officers on the roads to ensure the safety of all drivers. Police will be looking for any reason to stop motorists, like simply having a taillight out or failing to use a turn signal.