In Mississippi, assault charges fall into two categories—simple assault and aggravated assault. The specific offense a prosecutor chooses to charge defendants with depends on the circumstances of the incident. Those facing assault allegations need to understand how a...
Criminal Defense
Malicious mischief can be a serious charge in Mississippi
Mississippi summers bring free time and heat – two things that often aren’t conducive to good decision-making. This can lead to a charge of “malicious mischief.” That’s the term under Mississippi law. It’s often known as vandalism. Mississippi law states that a person...
Understanding Mississippi’s “stand your ground” law
We’ve heard a lot about “stand your ground” laws in recent years. These are generally based on something called the castle doctrine. This basically says that a person has the right to use force, including deadly force if necessary, to protect themselves in their own...
When can the police look in your trash?
If the police get a warrant for it, they can come into your house and search through your trash as they like. But they have to have a warrant, just as they would with any search of private property or your home. But are there other times when the police can look in...
In shoplifting cases, intent matters
Retail outlets treat shoplifting very seriously. Every year, shoplifting accounts for hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for businesses across the U.S. Sometimes, it’s possible for shoplifting precautions to go too far, though. You may find yourself detained...
When is it reasonable to respond to a threat with violence?
You were having a good time with a friend at a party – until you weren’t. Someone you didn’t even know apparently had a little too much to drink, and they got aggressive. Things got heated, they made threats and threw a punch, and you responded by protecting yourself...
How does Mississippi law deal with vandalism?
Back in our parents’ or maybe grandparents’ day, what’s commonly referred to as “vandalism” often wasn’t treated as seriously as it is now. Every state, including Mississippi, has laws against defacing or destroying someone else’s property. When it’s public property,...
Understanding the 3 types of plea bargains
A plea bargain is a common part of most criminal cases. Basically, this is an arrangement between the prosecutor and the defendant during a criminal trial where the accused person agrees to plead guilty to the original charge or a lesser charge in exchange for a...
How should you react if the police are at the door?
The doorbell rings, and you peek through the curtains to see a couple of uniformed officers at your door. While many things may run through your mind, in truth, you only have a few options. The first rule is not to do anything that could worsen the situation, like...
How to avoid family drama and fights at the holidays
The holidays are all about family togetherness – and that’s great if you actually enjoy being around your relatives. Not everybody is so lucky. If you’re dreading the inevitable argument over politics with your uncle or you know that your brother-in-law is going to be...