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Mississippi Code Annotated § 97-3-19

Murder charges are among the most serious criminal accusations in Mississippi and require immediate, aggressive legal representation. The classification of the offense depends on intent, circumstances, and statutory aggravating factors.

Penalty Ranges:

• Capital Murder:
  • Life imprisonment without parole OR
  • Death penalty
• Murder (Non-Capital):
  • Life imprisonment
• Second Degree Murder:
  • 20 years to life imprisonment

These cases often involve forensic evidence, witness testimony, and constitutional issues that must be carefully examined from the outset.

Mississippi Code Annotated § 97-3-79

Armed robbery involves taking property through force or intimidation while using or displaying a deadly weapon. Mississippi law imposes some of the harshest penalties in the nation for this offense.

Penalty Range:

• Minimum: 3 years
• Maximum: Life imprisonment
• No parole eligibility

Defense strategies focus on identification issues, weapon classification, intent, and constitutional violations.

Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 97-3-65 & 97-3-95

Sex offense allegations carry severe criminal penalties and lifelong collateral consequences, including sex-offender registration.

Penalty Ranges:

• Rape:
  • 5 years to life imprisonment
• Sexual Battery:
  • 30 years to life imprisonment (depending on victim age and circumstances)

These cases require careful handling of forensic evidence, consent issues, and procedural safeguards.

Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 97-3-109 & 97-3-7(2)

These offenses involve the use of firearms or deadly weapons and are treated as violent felonies under Mississippi law.

Penalty Ranges:

• Drive-By Shooting:
  • 5 to 40 years imprisonment
• Aggravated Assault:
  • Up to 20 years imprisonment

Key defenses often involve intent, identity, forensic analysis, and witness credibility.

Mississippi Code Annotated § 41-29-139(f)

Drug trafficking charges are based on statutory weight thresholds and carry mandatory minimum prison sentences.

Penalty Ranges (vary by substance and weight):

• Minimum: 10 years (mandatory)
• Maximum: 40 years or life imprisonment
• Fines: Up to $1,000,000

Defense strategies frequently focus on unlawful searches, informant reliability, and actual weight calculations.

Mississippi Code Annotated § 41-29-139(a) & (b)

Drug possession and sale charges range from misdemeanors to serious felonies depending on substance type and quantity.

Penalty Ranges:

• Simple Possession:
  • Up to 3 years and $1,000 fine (first offense)
• Sale / Distribution:
  • Up to 30 years imprisonment and $1,000,000 fine

Search and seizure issues and proof of intent are often central to the defense.

Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 97-17-19 & 97-17-41

Property crimes can result in significant prison exposure even when no violence is alleged.

Penalty Ranges:

• Burglary:
  • Up to 25 years imprisonment
• Grand Larceny:
  • Up to 10 years imprisonment and $10,000 fine

Defenses frequently involve intent, ownership disputes, and identification errors.

Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 63-11-30(4) & (5)

Felony DUI charges arise when intoxicated driving results in serious injury or death.

Penalty Ranges:

• Felony DUI (Serious Injury):
  • 5 to 25 years imprisonment
• DUI Manslaughter:
  • 5 to 25 years imprisonment
  • Permanent license revocation possible

Scientific testing, causation, and accident reconstruction are critical defense areas.

Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 97-3-7(3) & 97-3-57

Domestic violence charges involve alleged acts between family or household members and often trigger immediate protective orders.

Penalty Ranges:

• Simple Domestic Violence:
  • Up to 6 months (misdemeanor)
• Aggravated Domestic Violence:
  • Up to 20 years imprisonment

These cases often hinge on credibility assessments and contextual evidence.