First of all, those convicted of perjury in Mississippi can never be called upon as a witness ever again. The exact penalties depend on the circumstances of the crime. If you committed perjury during a trial or indictment for a capital offense or a felony, you face a prison sentence of up to 10 years. For all other matters, the penalties are relatively less severe, but you still could face up to 10 years behind bars.
In Mississippi, you are guilty of perjury if you lie under oath. You are also guilty of perjury if you make false declarations in any legal matter, in any court of law, or before any officer of the law. Essentially, you are guilty of this offense if you lie in any situation where an oath or affirmation is required by law. Finally, you may also be charged with perjury if you lie to a tribunal officer, a judicial officer, an executive officer, or an administrative officer. The exact law in Mississippi states that you must “wilfully and corruptly swear” under oath, which means there must be some degree of intent. In other words, you need to be aware that what you are saying is false.
While many people are aware on a deep level that lying is wrong, some might not be aware that this is actually a crime in Mississippi. Perjury is a very serious offense in the Magnolia State, and those who commit this offense can face strict penalties. But how exactly is perjury defined in Mississippi? More importantly, when might you be charged with perjury, and what kind of penalties could you face if found guilty?
If you have been charged with perjury or any other crime in Mississippi, it makes sense to get in touch with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Reach out to one of these legal experts, and you can approach this situation in a confident, efficient manner. Many people commit perjury by accident, and there is no reason to face overly severe consequences if you are innocent for all intents and purposes.
There are a number of laws against helping people escape from the custody of law enforcement officials. These laws fall under the general category of “escape of prisoners.” One of these laws is “aiding escapes from officers.” You are guilty of this crime if you help someone who is attempting to escape from the custody of a sheriff, marshal, constable, or any other law enforcement officer. If you are convicted, you face a jail sentence of one year, a fine of $500, or both.
However, a much more serious offense is “aiding escape of felons generally,” or “rescuing prisoners from custody.” You are guilty of this crime if you assist in the escape of any prisoner who is lawfully detained in a penitentiary, jail, or any “place of confinement.” In order to be convicted of this crime, the prisoner must be detained as the result of a felony charge. You can also face this charge if you “forcibly rescue” a prisoner, regardless of whether the prisoner is a felon. The penalty for this crime is a maximum sentence of 10 years in the penitentiary.
Prison breakouts might sound unlikely in the modern era, but they are relatively common in Mississippi. Over the years, many inmates have successfully escaped from incarceration, and many have been helped by people on the outside. Such was the case in July of 2020 when a man successfully escaped the Mississippi State Penitentiary and then fled the state. This individual had help from a 28-year-old woman, who picked the inmate up and helped him cross state lines into Tennessee. The man was then recaptured in Nashville after a three-day manhunt.
Speaking about the fact that this inmate had been helped in his escape, Department of Corrections Commissioner Burt Cain stated: “Where we can, people will be charged to the fullest extent of the law because we do not tolerate people assisting fugitives.”
When many people see their loved ones incarcerated, they tell themselves that they would do anything to get them out. For most people, this is simply wishful thinking. But a few individuals are actually willing to go the extra mile, helping inmates escape from prison and even devising plans to free them. Make no mistake, this is a very serious offense in the state of Mississippi. Those who aid criminals in any way are looked upon extremely unfavorably by courts in the Magnolia State, and you can expect severe legal consequences.
If you have been caught while helping a criminal escape from custody, you should get in touch with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. We can help you avoid unnecessary legal consequences as you fight for your rights in court.
Mississippi does not just punish those who spread HIV. You may also be charged with a criminal offense if you spread other diseases, such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C. This means that if there is the risk of transmitting an STD, criminal charges could be involved.
You might assume that as long as you disclose your HIV status to another individual, you will not face criminal charges for any subsequent infections that might take place. However, Mississippi case law has clearly demonstrated that this is not the case. A famous example is McCoy v. State, in which a 41-year-old man infected a 15-year-old individual with HIV. The defendant argued that he had disclosed his HIV status, while the victim claimed the opposite. In the end, the court ruled against the defendant. This illustrates how difficult it is to actually prove that you have disclosed your HIV status in court.
If you knowingly expose other people to HIV, you will be charged with a felony. If convicted, you face a minimum prison sentence of three years and a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. You may also be fined $10,000. There is a subsection in this law that pertains specifically to people in prisons, including inmates, correctional employees, and visitors. If you knowingly cause people to come into contact with bodily fluids containing HIV in a prison, you will also be charged with a crime. In Mississippi, this is known as “endangerment by bodily substance.”
Many people would rather not talk about issues like HIV and AIDS, but these conditions continue to be major issues in Mississippi. While the medical community has made significant advances when it comes to treating these ailments, there is still no known cure. The state of Mississippi has taken a tough stance against the spread of HIV, and legislators have created laws that can punish those who infect others. But what happens if you have infected someone with HIV? Can you really go to jail for this crime?
If you have been charged with any criminal offense in Mississippi, you should get in touch with a skilled defense attorney as soon as possible. Although Mississippi has tough laws when it comes to the spread of HIV, your attorney can help you fight for your rights and avoid jail t
Mississippi Criminal and Family Law Blog
