Witherspoon & Compton, LLCMeridian Personal Injury Lawyers | Laurel Mississippi Car Accident Attorneys | Philadelphia MS Criminal Defense2026-07-14T07:09:02Zhttps://www.witherspooncompton.com/feed/atom/WordPressOn Behalf of Witherspoon & Compton, LLC<![CDATA[Hit-and-run accidents in Mississippi]]>https://www.witherspooncompton.com/?p=489262023-12-05T11:25:09Z2022-07-19T20:31:07Zhighest number of uninsured drivers (29.4%), and the person who flees the scene of an accident may be one of them.
What to do if you’re a hit-and-run victim
Should you be involved in an accident where the other party leaves the scene, follow these steps:
Assess yourself for injuries.
Call 9-1-1 and ask them to send help.
Ask any witnesses to stay and tell the police what they saw. It’s possible that one or more witnesses saw the license plate of the driver who fled.
Allow the paramedics to treat you and transport you to the hospital, if necessary.
Ask one of the witnesses to take photographs at the accident site if you are unable to do so yourself. These could assist the police in locating the person who fled the scene.
Hit-and-run penalties
The state of Mississippi requires that drivers remain at the scene of the accident, Those who flee the scene may face some serious penalties for causing a hit-and-run accident if they are located and convicted. These penalties include:
Fines range from $100 - $5,000.
Jail time range from 30 to 365 days.
Failing to stop at the scene of an accident in which the victim is seriously injured, disfigured or fatally injured is considered a felony that carries these penalties:
Fines range between $1,000 to $10,000.
Jail time ranges between five to 20 years.
The judge has the right to penalize the driver who fled with one or both of the above options. When it comes to covering your hospital bills and the cost of damages, consider seeking assistance with filing your claims.
]]>On Behalf of Witherspoon & Compton, LLC<![CDATA[What factors can aggravate assault charges in Mississippi?]]>https://www.witherspooncompton.com/?p=489242022-07-12T23:22:39Z2022-07-13T23:20:05ZThe basics of simple assault
Under state law, simple assault involves knowingly, purposely or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person. You could even face assault charges if you attempt but fail to cause injury. Two other factors in simple assault offenses:
Causing imminent fear of severe harm
Using a deadly weapon
The possible penalties you could face if convicted include up to six months in jail, up to $500 in fines or a combination of both. If your actions impact certain individuals (listed below), you may face a $1,000 fine, five years of imprisonment or both.
Factors that lead to aggravated charges
Simple assault may become aggravated if the authorities believe your actions showed an “extreme indifference” to human life. Using a deadly weapon and harming vulnerable citizens (elders, children, etc.) also elevate assault charges.
Targeting certain people can also result in aggravated assault. Examples include:
Police and fire department personnel
Elected political figures
Vulnerable adults
Social workers
Jail officers
The potential consequences upon conviction include up to 30 years in prison, fines approaching $5,000 or some combination of both.
The information in this post represents a mere fraction of what you should know about simple and aggravated assault charges. Increasing your knowledge of assault laws in Mississippi ensures you and your legal counsel mount the most effective defense.]]>On Behalf of Witherspoon & Compton, LLC<![CDATA[How does the adverse possession of property occur?]]>https://www.witherspooncompton.com/?p=489222022-07-12T23:12:43Z2022-07-12T23:12:43ZCan it happen in 21st century America?
It can, but it probably won’t resemble the above scenario. While someone can attempt to take over your land purposely, most of the time, it happens accidentally.
Under Mississippi law, several things must happen for adverse possession to occur legally.
The possessor uses the property openly (not secretly)
The possessor resides on the land for ten continuous years
The possessor pays taxes on the property for two or more years
The possessor never gets the owner’s permission to occupy the land (hostile possession)
It may sound impossible, but sometimes it is easy for someone to use or possess another’s land for ten years without their realization. Adverse possession is an even greater risk for those who own land in different locations or many adjacent plots.
Prevention tips
Survey your land (in person) often to deter trespassers and remind your neighbors not to encroach on it, even accidentally. Know your property lines and set clear boundary markers such as fences or walls.
Take immediate action if you discover someone living on or using your property without your awareness. If you wait too long, you could lose a portion of your land forever. Periodically refreshing your knowledge of Mississippi real estate laws is another way to help you protect your property.]]>On Behalf of Witherspoon & Compton, LLC<![CDATA[What compensation can I claim after a wreck with a drunk driver?]]>https://www.witherspooncompton.com/?p=487252022-07-06T18:23:26Z2022-07-06T18:23:26ZDespite the dangers associated with drunk driving, thousands of motorists still make the decision to get behind the wheels while intoxicated. If you or someone you love is hurt in a DUI-related accident, you should consider pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party.
While there is no clear-cut settlement method for DUI accidents, there are a variety of damages you can seek financial restitution for after the accident. To help you litigate your case, you need to start off by understanding how Mississippi negligence laws work.
Understanding Mississippi negligence laws
Your personal injury lawsuit will be subject to Mississippi’s pure comparative negligence laws. This means that you can claim compensation even if you were partially or mostly responsible for the wreck. Your compensation would merely be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.Here are some types of damages you can pursue in a drunk driving accident:
Medical costs
Emergency room and hospital visits can cost a lot of money, especially if you sustained serious injuries like brain and spine injuries or broken bones that require long-term care for complete recovery. Even with your health and car insurance policies, the cost of treating such injuries can be extremely high. Through a personal injury lawsuit, the negligent party can be compelled to take care of your medical expenses.
Property repair or replacement
Fixing a car after an accident can cost a fortune. If your car was damaged during the accident, you can pursue the liable driver for applicable repairs and replacements.
Loss of income
If you took time off work to recover from your injuries, you may sue the defendant for the amount you would have earned if you were at work.
Non-economic damages
Besides the direct damages associated with the accident, you can also pursue the drunk driver for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship and loss of enjoyment of life. A car accident can leave you with life-altering injuries. Find out how you can safeguard your rights and interests while pursuing compensation following a drunk driving accident. ]]>On Behalf of Witherspoon & Compton, LLC<![CDATA[Are you considering selling to a house flipper?]]>https://www.witherspooncompton.com/?p=487222022-07-06T18:53:46Z2022-07-05T18:33:51ZYou may have seen reality shows about “flipping” houses and late-night TV ads featuring people offering to buy your home for cash. There are even house flipper video games.
You may not have given it much thought until you needed to relocate and sell your home fairly quickly. Or maybe a loved one just passed away and left you their home, which you have no use for and no interest in fixing it up before you sell it.Should you sell it to a house flipper? It would save you the time and money involved in making repairs and upgrades necessary to get a good price, sifting through multiple offers (or, worse, having no offers) and possibly having the whole deal fall apart just before closing.
Who are house flippers?
Before you decide, it’s important to know just who house flippers are and what they do. Some are real estate agents, but many are primarily real estate investors. They buy homes for a relatively low price, fix them up and then sell them at a profit.If your main interest is getting the home sold quickly rather than getting the best possible deal, selling it to a house flipper could be a good option. These sales typically close within a few weeks or less, and you sell it “as is.”
The flipper pricing model
You still want to make sure that the person you’re working with is legitimate and that you’re getting a fair deal. That’s where the “flipper pricing model” comes in.House flippers typically pay no more than 70% of theafter-repair value (ARV) of a home, minus the cost of repairs. That means the seller gets only about two-thirds of what they’d get if they sold the home themselves. To find out just how much money you’re potentially leaving on the table, you need to determine what homes in the area are selling for and how much it would cost you to have repairs and upgrades done.There’s not really a right or wrong decision if you do what will work out best for you. However, you want to make sure that you choose a reputable house flipper who is working within that pricing model. Having legal guidance can help as well.]]>On Behalf of Witherspoon & Compton, LLC<![CDATA[Malicious mischief can be a serious charge in Mississippi]]>https://www.witherspooncompton.com/?p=487202022-07-06T18:48:37Z2022-07-04T18:29:36ZMississippi 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 engages in malicious mischief if they “maliciously or mischievously destroy, disfigure, or injure, or cause to be destroyed, disfigured, or injured, any property of another.”
The consequences depend on the property damaged
The offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, based on the cost to repair or replace the property that is damaged. If that cost is over $1,000, it’s typically a felony. A person convicted of malicious mischief may have to serve prison time, pay a fine and/or pay restitution to the property owner.If the site of the vandalism is a public property like a courthouse or government building, school, cemetery or place of worship, the potential penalties are greater. Further, if the vandalism was targeted at someone “because of theactual or perceived race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin or gender of the victim or because they’re a first responder,” it could be charged as a hate crime.
Encouraging malicious mischief is also illegal
Even if a person never touched the property in question, they could still face charges. The law states, “Anyone who by any word, deed or act directly or indirectly urges, aids, abets, suggests or otherwise instills in the mind of another the will to so act shall be considered a principal in the commission of said crime and shall be punished in the same manner.”If you arefacing malicious mischief charges, it’s crucial that you take them seriously. A conviction can be life-altering. It’s wise to seek legal guidance to protect your rights as you deal with the justice system.]]>On Behalf of Witherspoon & Compton, LLC<![CDATA[3 things to remember when filing a personal injury lawsuit]]>https://www.witherspooncompton.com/?p=487172022-07-06T18:44:11Z2022-06-21T19:45:55ZEvidence is crucial
Like with any legal matter, evidence plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of your personal injury claim. Some of the material evidence you will need to prove your claim includes actual proof of injury. This can come in the form of a doctor’s report and photos of your injuries. A police report that documents how the accident that caused your injury happened and whom the police believe was responsible can also help strengthen your case.
Don’t overlook the treatment
Not all injuries manifest immediately following the accident. Some like internal bleeding and certain forms of brain injuries may take days to manifest. Thus, even if you do not feel pain, it is important that you see a doctor as soon as you are involved in an accident. This way, your doctor will diagnose and treat your injuries in time, thus setting you on a path to a quick recovery. Seeking treatment immediately also ensures that you obtain a doctor’s report, which is important when litigating your case.
Take note of the deadlines
Every state has a time limit within which the injury victim can file a lawsuit against the defendant. This is known as the statute of limitations. In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for personal injury is three years. This means that you have three years from the date of your injury to sue the defendant for your injuries. Take note that the statute of limitations is shorter when you are dealing with a government agency.
If you sustain an injury that is attributable to someone else’s reckless actions, you deserve justice. Find out how you can boost your odds of winning your Mississippi personal injury lawsuit.]]>On Behalf of Witherspoon & Compton, LLC<![CDATA[As a seller, can you keep your home from falling out of escrow?]]>https://www.witherspooncompton.com/?p=487152022-07-06T20:27:22Z2022-06-15T03:02:47ZThose in the market for a new home are often interested in homes that have “fallen out of escrow.” That means something went wrong with the deal between the seller and their presumed buyer, and the deal didn’t go through.
Often, by the time that happens, the seller needs to move – maybe because they’ve already purchased a new home or need to relocate for their job. If the date by which they have to leave is fast approaching, that often means having to cut the price.
What kinds of issues cause this to happen?
You don’t want to be the seller dealing with a failed escrow. By knowing what kinds of things typically cause this, you can take steps to prevent it. These include the following:
The appraisal price turns out to be significantly higher or lower than the agreed-on sale price.
There’s an issue with the title to the property, such as a lien the seller didn’t know about.The buyer simply changes their mind.
An inspection revealed significant problems.
As a seller, you can prevent some of these issues by having the home inspected before you list it so that you can get significant problems and issues that may affect your ability to get a good price fixed. It’s also crucial to have the home properly appraised (after you’ve made the repairs or upgrades). However, you can’t foresee every potential issue that could cause your home to drop out of escrow. That’s why it’s crucial to protect yourself in your purchase and sale agreement and any other contracts. Having experienced legal guidance can help you protect your rights and minimize or prevent losses.]]>On Behalf of Witherspoon & Compton, LLC<![CDATA[Understanding Mississippi’s “stand your ground” law]]>https://www.witherspooncompton.com/?p=487122025-01-08T15:57:01Z2022-06-15T02:59:23ZWe’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 home from an intruder.
States have their own versions of stand your ground laws. Some expand on the castle doctrine of being able to protect yourself in your own home.Here in Mississippi, the stand your ground law is included under “justifiable homicide.” The law states that the “killing of a human being” is justifiable when “resisting any attempt unlawfully to kill such person or to commit any felony upon him, or upon or in any dwelling, in any occupied vehicle, in any place of business, in any place of employment or in the immediate premises….”
No “duty to retreat”
Under this law, the person defending themselves or others or their property doesn’t have a “duty to retreat before using deadly force.” In fact, juries cannot “consider the person's failure to retreat as evidence that the person's use of force was unnecessary, excessive or unreasonable.”It’s also important to know that the law creates a presumption that the person who used force was legally in their location and “reasonably feared imminent death or great bodily harm, or the commission of a felony upon him or another or upon his dwelling” or other premises if the person entered or was in the process of entering the location forcibly or illegally. Unlike in some states, Mississippi law takes the burden of showing the action was reasonable off the defendant and places it on the prosecutors to prove that they acted unreasonably.Mississippi law is more favorable to those who need to defend themselves, their property or other people through the use of potentially deadly force. However, if you’re under investigation or facing criminal charges for an act of self-defense, don’t take anything for granted. It’s crucial to have experienced legal guidance to protect your rights.]]>On Behalf of Witherspoon & Compton, LLC<![CDATA[Tips to stay safe while riding your motorcycle this summer]]>https://www.witherspooncompton.com/?p=487082022-07-06T19:44:08Z2022-06-09T16:23:21ZHopping on your bike and hitting the open road is fun and relaxing for many people. However, each time you ride your motorcycle, you are accepting the risk that you may be involved in an accident.
While not all accidents can be prevented, there are some steps you can take to help protect yourself and minimize your injuries if you happen to be in one.
Use the right protective gear
Wearing the proper protective gear is essential if you want to protect yourself if you happen to be involved in a motorcycle accident. The most important piece of protective gear you should wear is a helmet. Along with helping protect you from a head or brain injury, it’s against the law not to wear one in Mississippi. Some other protective gear that is beneficial if you are in an accident is long pants and long sleeves made of more durable material, such as leather. You should also wear quality boots that will cover your ankles and lower legs and eye protection.
Remain aware of your surroundings
When you ride a motorcycle, you don’t have the protective metal that is around individuals in traditional passenger vehicles. Because of this, it’s up to you to stay aware of your surroundings and potential hazards. Make sure you aren’t distracted by anything and avoid looking at your phone or listening to loud music while you ride.
Take steps to protect your rights if you are involved in a motorcycle accident
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have rights. Try to preserve evidence and collect information to give you a good chance of recovering compensation. It’s also important to know your legal rights in this situation, which is going to help ensure you are protected. ]]>