The intensity of the emotions that people feel after an arrest can compromise their decision-making abilities. People who feel panicked or overwhelmed may not properly consider their circumstances. They might make decisions that put them at a disadvantage. For example, those accused of a criminal offense often decide very quickly to enter a guilty plea. People convince themselves that cooperating with the state is their best option for minimizing their risks and the social blowback from their arrest. Even those who insist that they did not break the law or that the state identified the wrong p ..read more

Mississippi laws define embezzlement as the criminal transference of a person’s property by a person in a position of trust. Simply stated, embezzlement occurs when someone entrusted with money or assets takes, transfers, or uses it for personal gain. A more serious type of theft? Embezzlement is often confused with the crime of theft; however, it is much more serious because it involves a relationship of trust between parties. It is also important to note that embezzlement of public funds is an automatic felony in Mississippi, making it a very serious crime. Examples of embezzlement A father ..read more

Reasonable suspicion is a critical concept in drunk driving traffic stops. It’s a legal standard that allows police to stop and briefly detain a driver if they have a reasonable belief, based on specific and articulable facts, that the driver is intoxicated. Understanding how officers establish reasonable suspicion and proceed to determine probable cause for an arrest is essential for any driver. Establishing reasonable suspicion Reasonable suspicion for a drunk driving stop can arise from various observations. These might include erratic driving behavior such as swerving, speeding or braking ..read more

People often classify drugs into three main categories. There are relatively safe drugs that have limited or no government oversight. These include caffeine, aspirin and many remedies for basic ailments, like cough syrup and over-the-counter sleep aids. There are also controlled substances that pose some risk of abuse and therefore require government oversight. Prescription medications fall into the second category. Finally, there are prohibited or banned drugs that the government does not recognize any lawful use for and which can result in someone’s arrest for nearly possessing those substan ..read more

When a police officer wants to enter your home, odds are that the first thing they will do is seek consent. They will simply ask you if they can come in and have a look around. They may say that they just want to talk to you for a minute, and they’ll ask to do it inside. The reason that a police officer does this is that they cannot enter your home without a warrant in many situations. If they have not yet gotten a warrant but they still want to look around and search for evidence, they have to ask your permission first. It would be a violation of your rights to enter the home without your con ..read more

White-collar criminal charges such as embezzlement or wire fraud don’t leave people physically injured, but they can cause significant financial harm. State prosecutors often treat financial crimes as felonies, and many white-collar crimes might actually turn out to be federal offenses. Typically, by the time prosecutors announce charges or the police move to arrest someone, there is a stack of financial evidence. How can individuals accused of white-collar criminal offenses prepare to defend themselves in court? Access and review the evidence Every criminal defendant facing charges in either ..read more

Mississippi has specific laws and regulations that impact how a DUI could affect you. It is a crime, like in all other states, to drive when you are legally impaired. In Mississippi, the per se DUI limit is .08%, which is the point at which you can be arrested without further evidence. As a person with a license in Mississippi, you need to understand the possible penalties you could face if you drive while intoxicated. You could face: Administrative penalties, such as a suspension of your license, for failing to take alcohol concentration testing. A requirement to install an ignition interlock ..read more

Mail fraud is a significant problem in the United States that takes advantage of the vulnerable. Mail fraud is any kind of fraud that uses the U.S. Mail, whether that fraud starts over the phone, through mail or online. There are several kinds of mail fraud that the government watches for, including: Sweepstakes and lottery fraud Fraud against veterans Employment fraud Financial fraud Telemarketing fraud Fraudulent inheritance notifications Fraud involving free services It’s important that you make sure to fulfill your obligations any time you complete a transaction involving the U.S. mail. Ho ..read more

Where the Mississippi police catch you with something they think is a prohibited drug, they will almost certainly arrest you and then try to charge you with a crime. Drug possession is a common offense, but it is also one that can have a lasting impact on your options in life. Even a possession charge could have lasting consequences, but you may find that the circumstances of your arrest give the police reason to increase the charges you face or the penalties. What are three scenarios where you might face more than just simple possession charges? When the police find drug paraphernalia It is i ..read more

Getting accused of driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious allegation in Mississippi. The penalties include fines, jail time and license suspensions. Your driving history and the situation leading to the DUI charges will influence what penalties you face. There will be more serious consequences for those who cause crashes, property damage or injury to others. Still, even a traffic stop that results in a DUI could lead to life-altering consequences. How will Mississippi sentence you for a DUI? Every DUI offense increases the penalties involved. A first offense in Mississippi could mean u ..read more