Top Mississippi Criminal Lawyers

Work with a Trusted State Criminal Attorney Today

If you have been charged recently with a criminal offence as the state level such as DUI or domestic violence, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns about what will happen next, who you can find to listen to your side of the events, what your legal rights are, and - most importantly - how this unfortunate incident will affect your personal life, your job and your family.

All of these things will be answered when you hire an attorney. The sooner you speak with a qualified lawyer, the sooner you will be able to reduce the effects of the charges against you and take action to help avoid legal mistakes. You need to quickly consult with a Mississippi criminal lawyer who has a proven history of defending cases that are similar to yours. You do of course have the right to remain silent until you have sought counsel and the sooner you meet with a potential attorney, the better off you will be. Bear in mind that not everyone who has been charged with a state offense has been found guilty. When you partner with a criminal lawyer, they will be able to protect you and your family throughout this time and give you information on what your various options and legal rights are. Many attorneys will offer a free consultation the first time you meet, so you will be able to get some of this advice up front.

Are You In Need of Trusted Defense for Criminal Charges?

Our criminal attorneys have expertise in a wide variety of criminal offenses from solicitation to kidnapping to DUI. We have lawyers who practice in diverse areas: fraud, weapons charges, theft, probation violations, white collar crimes and many more. You need to act quickly. It doesn't matter if you are already facing charges or you suspect that there may be forthcoming repercussions for a past act, the longer you wait around the more difficult it is to build up a good defense. Our Mississippi criminal attorneys know this and they also understand how the justice system works, especially at the state level. They will be able to offer sound advice when you come in for your initial meeting.

Build a Strong Defense for DUIs

One of the most common charges that people will face at a state level is the charge of DUI. The consequences of this can vary and can include everything from a night in jail and heavy fine to a suspended driver's license, alcohol education and other penalties.

If you are charged with a DUI, you will need a criminal lawyer who is knowledgeable about state laws and who has experience handling cases like yours. Our Mississippi attorneys will help to determine if you qualify as a first offender, how to design your defense, how this can affect parts of your life like your job, and what penalties you may face.

Concentrated on Different Areas of the Law

Our attorneys concentrate in specific areas of the law. They work in these areas as to gain an extensive knowledge and understanding of the exact criminal charges you face. They know the state laws that will come into play for your case and they know the most effective strategies to help with your defense. We will be able to match you up with the most qualified lawyer on the team who has the experience needed for your specific case.

What You Should Expect from Your Lawyer

At your first meeting, you will be able to speak with your criminal attorney about the facts of the case. He or she will be able to share their expertise of the law as it applies to your situation. You should always be honest and candid when speaking with your lawyer. They must keep all of your information confidential and will work with your best interest in mind. You should always take your lawyer's advice and be patient as you explore the steps of your case.

A Strong Reputation Counts

Our professional lawyers belong to numerous associations like the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Their work history is easy to track and all of them have been fully vetted as we want you to have the most competent and reliable attorney working on your behalf.

Choose Attorneys That You Can Trust

How do you figure out which is the most suitable criminal lawyer for you? The right criminal attorney for you is one who will work to provide you with an informed defense. They will build trust with you, work with the highest ethical standards and bring professional confidence into your case.

Our top Mississippi lawyers know will advise you on how to handle your personal case and will do so with care and diligence. Avoid mistakes in the near future by finding a lawyer as quickly as possible during this time in order to protect your rights and give yourself peace of mind. Call today and be connected with a reputable criminal attorney.

Are Mississippi Authorities Accusing you of a Crime? Criminal Lawyer Can Help

If you are charged with a crime in Mississippi, you deserve a strategic defense. Irrespective of the seriousness of the crime or severity of the sentence, you need advice and guidance from a criminal lawyer familiar with criminal law in Mississippi. Preparing a strong defense requires in-depth knowledge of the Mississippi Code, which lists all the laws in the state pertaining to crimes and their penalties. Without a doubt, the best way to assure yourself of a robust, successful defense in Mississippi is to engage an experienced criminal defense attorney such as those found through the Criminal Lawyer.

Within the Mississippi Code, every crime is classified as either a felony or a misdemeanor. Felonies are more serious crimes and include such offenses as murder and sexual battery. Misdemeanors are less serious crimes, such as petty larceny and sale of tobacco to someone under age 18. The determination as to whether a specific crime is charged as a felony or misdemeanor is based on the maximum potential length of the incarceration faced by a convicted individual.

Most states further separate their felonies and misdemeanors into classes based on the seriousness of the offense and the severity of its possible punishment. This is not the case in Mississippi, however. Instead, the Mississippi statute which addresses each specific offense includes both the minimum and maximum punishment that will be applicable upon conviction.

Even if the criminal charges you face are minor, you must not ignore the legal procedures necessary to defend yourself when your matter goes to court. Misdemeanors in Mississippi can require the payment of substantial fines and many of them include a jail sentence. Hiring an experienced Mississippi criminal defense lawyer is your best option to ensure that you have the defense you deserve.

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Five Common Crimes Charged in Mississippi

The Mississippi Code is comprised of 25 separate statutes that address criminal behavior, including everything from crimes against children to gambling to murder. Under each of these statutes, multiple crimes fall within certain specific types. According to crime statistics and complaints made to the police, some crimes in Mississippi are far more common than others. These five crimes are among the most common in the state.

Larceny

In Mississippi, the crime of theft is referred to as larceny. Within the broad definition of this prohibited activity, Mississippi actually has several larceny statutes. First, larceny is divided into two offense levels – misdemeanor and felony larceny. The statutes cover larceny of dogs, livestock, timber, and similar property in detail.

As a misdemeanor, larceny is called petty or petit larceny and it is most commonly defined as taking property worth $500 or less from another person. The Mississippi statute that covers this offense includes stealing gasoline for your motor vehicle and shoplifting. A conviction for petit larceny is punishable by a maximum of six months in jail and/or a maximum fine of $1,000.

However, even if the property stolen was valued at less than $500, the conviction for petit larceny can be punished by one year in jail if the property was stolen from a place of worship.

Grand larceny is a more serious crime, and it is considered a felony under Mississippi law. The theft of any property worth more than $500 is grand larceny, and an individual found guilty of grand larceny can be sentenced to as long as 10 years in state prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

Find a top larceny firm in Mississippi here.

DUI

In Mississippi, driving under the influence (DUI) can be charged as a serious offense in Mississippi. Even first-time offenders face the possibility of serving time in jail. Anyone convicted of DUI will have their license suspended and will also face other administrative penalties, in addition to criminal punishment.

DUI is described as operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. In Mississippi, as in other states, the determination as to whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol is based on a measurement of the individual’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Any driver whose BAC is higher than 0.08% can be charged with DUI. A commercial driver who is found to be driving with a BAC higher than 0.04% can also be charged with DUI. Lastly, individuals under the age of 21 are prohibited from driving with a BAC at or above 0.02%.

The criminal punishment for DUI in Mississippi is dependent on several factors, including whether the individual has any prior convictions for DUI, whether any injury or accident was caused by the actor, and whether the BAC of the driver exceeded the legal levels at the time of arrest. Rather than considering the entire driving history of a driver, Mississippi looks for offenses within five years of the current charges. First-time offenders will serve only a maximum of 48 hours in jail, but the fine can be up to $1,000.

For a second DUI offense, a conviction will result in a potential punishment of a minimum of five days to a maximum of one year in jail and/or a fine ranging from $600 to a maximum of $1,500. A third-time offender faces a minimum of one year up to a maximum of five years in prison. The potential fine for a third-time offender can be as much as $5,000. Individuals convicted of more than three DUIs in a five-year period can be sentenced to even longer prison sentences.

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Murder

Murder laws in Mississippi are slightly different than those of most other states. Typically, states divide murder offenses into two separate statutes and degrees of murder. In Mississippi, however, there is only one statute, but two separate levels of the crime of murder are contemplated. The less serious offense is simply charged as murder, while more severe and egregious crimes are charged as capital murder. In Mississippi, murder is defined as the unlawful killing of another human being when:

Murder is punishable by life in prison.

Capital murder is the most serious crime in the Mississippi criminal code. Individuals convicted of capital murder could be sentenced to the death penalty. In its murder statute, Mississippi outlines certain specific circumstances and factors that are sufficiently egregious to raise the offense to a charge of capital murder. These circumstances are:

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Burglary

In many states, burglary law has become increasingly detailed and expanded to cover more actions and behaviors. However, the definition of burglary under the Mississippi statute is still very narrow. In Mississippi, burglary is breaking and entering into the dwelling house of another person with the intent to commit a crime. Burglary is a felony and, if convicted, an individual must serve a minimum of three years in state prison and could face a maximum of 25 years.

In the case of burglary, breaking and entering means to enter unlawfully. An individual need not cause physical damage to the property for the offense to qualify as burglary. Also, dwelling house pertains to various types of residential property, including apartments, condominiums, houses, and even houseboats.

In Mississippi, the crime is charged as a burglary whether or not anyone is at home at the time of the breaking and entering and whether or not the actor was armed with a deadly weapon. However, an individual faces more severe punishment if, during the commission of a burglary, the actor is likely to terrorize someone who is lawfully in the house. That person does not need to be the rightful owner because this condition also applies to guests and visitors. The minimum punishment for a burglary that includes the likelihood to terrorize is 10 years in state prison.

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Assault

Assault is addressed by four huge paragraphs in the Mississippi Code, and each of these subsections covers a different offense. Assault offenses are separated first by the seriousness of the injury suffered by the victim and then by the identity of the victim. The least serious charge under this statute is simple assault.

Simple assault is an attempt to injure another person, recklessly or intentionally causing bodily injury, negligently causing injury with a deadly weapon, or threatening another person with physical injury. To be considered simple assault, the severity of the injury caused must be very minor, including such injuries as a cut or scrape, bruise or minor laceration. If the injury is more serious than these quick-healing injuries, the offense is elevated to that of aggravated assault. Simple assault is a misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum of six months in jail.

Aggravated assault is charged for causing serious bodily injury in the following ways:

The first key difference between simple assault and aggravated assault is that to be charged with aggravated assault, the actor must have intended or recklessly caused serious bodily injury. The second key difference between the two is the intent and mindset of the actor during the commission of the crime.

Aggravated assault is a felony that carries a mandatory one-year sentence in state prison, and the maximum criminal punishment is 20 years. Beyond that, Mississippi defines certain victims – such as emergency medical personnel or peace officers in the course of performing their official duties – as “special victims, and defendants convicted of aggravated assault on a special victim could be required to serve up to 30 years in prison.

Mississippi criminalizes both simple assault and aggravated assault of a current or former spouse or other family members who previously lived or currently lives with the defendant separately from other cases. This designation can include siblings, parents, grandparents, and children. Aggravated domestic assault involves serious injury inflicted on a current or former spouse or other family members who reside with the actor.

The sentence for simple domestic assault is the same as ordinary simple assault unless the same defendant is convicted of three or more instances of simple domestic assault. In that case, the third charge can be charged as a felony, with a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison. Aggravated domestic assault, too, is charged under the aggravated assault subsection unless the defendant has two or more prior convictions. A defendant who has two or more prior convictions faces a felony charge with a minimum sentence of five years and a potential maximum of 20 years in prison.

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Other Crimes

The lawyers who comprise Criminal Lawyer are prepared to defend you against a variety of crimes in Mississippi. Our experience is not limited to the most common crimes in the state, however. It extends to the defense of federal crimes and appellate level defense. Whether you are seeking a criminal lawyer in Mississippi to defend you against such a serious charge as murder or a less severe misdemeanor such as possession of a controlled substance, we stand ready to help you.

Importance of an Experienced Mississippi Crime Defense Attorney

Your criminal defense begins long before the day you appear in court and building a strong defense requires significant time for strategy and planning. Additionally, the processes of conducting due diligence and preparing and filing motions can be crucial elements in establishing your defense; however, most non-lawyers are not even aware of the necessity for these pre-trial procedures to take place.

It is always in your best interest to choose an experienced Mississippi criminal defense attorney who will be fully invested in your case and its outcome right from the start. To find the right lawyer, start by looking at Criminal Lawyer. The Mississippi criminal defense attorneys that comprise Criminal Lawyer are analytical and client-oriented. Your case will be a priority from the beginning, and this approach will assure you of the best opportunity to obtain a good outcome when it is time for trial.

If you don’t know where to turn for defense against criminal charges in Mississippi, turn to us.