Property crime in Mississippi is a broad term that represents any action causing harm to someone else’s property. A property crime can include theft or destroying someone else’s property, where the extent of damage can be as small as spray painting on the wall. Any small case registered against you will charge you with hefty fines and jail time. This is where you need a property crime defense attorney in Mississippi. At the Law Firm of Tangi Carter & Associates P.A., we stand rock strong, defending your rights against property crime charges and fighting it to the nail to draw the most desirable verdict for you.
But do you know that with 17,838 cases recorded in 2023, larceny and theft stand as the most committed property crimes in Mississippi? These details clearly explain the extent of property crime charges in Mississippi and the consequences that they hold.
Mississippi has always been harsh on all property crimes, with no tolerance for any such crimes. Regardless of the type of property crime you commit, the consequences will always be incarceration, fines, and the necessity of bail bonds. If you have been charged with property crime and you need Mississippi Property Crime Legal Services, you must understand its types and wide-ranging effects. At the Law Firm of Tangi Carter & Associates P.A., we are here to discuss the wide-ranging effects of property crime charges.
Types of Property Crime Charges and Their Consequences
Burglary
Burglary is an action when you break into someone else’s property with the intention of committing a crime. The properties can include a home, a private residence, a retail shop, a store, mobile vans with business establishments, a car, a train, or even a newly constructed site. In simple terms, burglary is a crime when an accused breaks into someone else’s property and steals something.
However, in several other situations, the accused can be charged with committing a crime such as sexual assault, kidnapping, etc. Generally, when you are involved in sexual assault or kidnapping, it no longer remains a property crime.
Consequences
The consequences of burglary are determined by the extent of damage or the worth of the goods stolen. The smaller cases of burglary usually involve a misdemeanor charge, which carries a fine of up to $1000 or less following a jail time of one year. You need reputable legal help for property crimes in Mississippi to defend you against such charges and bring you the court’s best interest.
Similarly, a class 3 felony charge can carry the most severe consequences, which include a fine of up to $100,000 along with 20 years of jail time.
Extortion
Extortion is a term that applies when an accused forces anyone else to give their property to them. Contrary to burglary, extortion happens with the knowledge of the victim, whereas burglary is committed without the victim being aware. Extortion is committed with threats from the accused where the alleged person threatens physical harm, slander, or blackmail to expose any personal information.
Consequences
The consequences of extortion include restitution of all the property being stolen or taken away with force. It will also carry a $10,000 fine for every conviction, along with 15 years in prison. If you are charged with extortion, you need a property crime defense firm in Mississippi as soon as possible. At the Law Firm of Tangi Carter & Associates P.A., we defend you with all aggressiveness to bring the best possible result for you.
Theft
As discussed earlier in this blog, theft is the most committed crime in Mississippi. A lot of cases get registered every day. However, theft is again a wide category that can apply to any individual who is accused of stealing. Theft can be motor vehicle theft, robbery, embezzlement, or even larceny.
Consequences
The penalties for the theft charges are usually decided by the court based on the value of the property stolen and how they have stolen it. The consequences for petty theft always come with a small fine, whereas grand larceny and armed robbery usually hold extended jail times with heavy fines.
Arson
Arson is a property crime type where the accused gets charged with setting anyone else’s property on fire. The property can include a commercial building or a residential building. Property crime defense attorney Mississippi defines the common reasons for arson as follows,
- Mischief or excitement
- Revenge taken on due to anger
- Destroying any evidence of some other crime
- Hating a specific group of individuals
- Insurance fraud
Further, the Mississippi Property Crime Legal Services also defines arson as having several forms. Setting fire to residences, dwellings, or buildings is not only arson. You can be accused of arson if you destroy properties like a painting, a car, or even a garden with fire.
Consequences
The consequences of arson are usually serious. The accused will always be liable for restitution of the complete value of the property damaged. If no individual was harmed or killed during the crime, then you can expect several years of jail time along with a fine ranging from one thousand dollars to ten thousand dollars.
Vandalism
When the accused or any individual intentionally damages someone else’s property, it is termed vandalism. Spray painting a wall, smashing mailboxes, and breaking windows with stones are actions considered vandalism. Read more about vandalism here.
Consequences
Vandalism is considered a misdemeanor unless the damage is very serious. Usually, consequences include full restitution along with a fine ranging up to a thousand dollars and jail time. However, if you are charged with severe vandalism, the consequences can include longer jail times along with heavy fines. If you do not want to destroy your career, you must contact a property crime defense firm in Mississippi.
FAQs on Property Crime Charges
What are the property crimes in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, property crimes include theft, vandalism, burglary, arson, larceny, embezzlement, grand theft auto, and extortion.
What is the most common property crime in Mississippi?
With the highest number of cases registered every year, theft stands as the most common property crime in Mississippi.
What are the three major categories of property crimes?
As per the uniform crime reporting program by the FBI, the three major categories of property crime are burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny, and arson.
Which is the most frequently committed property crime offense?
Theft is the most frequently committed property crime offense in Mississippi.
Do the offenders have to serve their full sentences?
In 85% of cases of property crime, the accused convicted have to serve a full sentence. However, sometimes a court decides to offer you probation based on your behavior.
Conclusion
Wrapping up, these are the property crime charges along with their wide-ranging effects. If you or your loved ones have been accused of any such charges, you must hire a property crime attorney to defend and bring the best verdict in your favor.
Contact The Law Firm of Tangi Carter & Associates P.A. Today!
Facing a property crime charge? Do not worry! Get immediate assistance with the best possible strategy to defeat the prosecution. Call us at 601-544-1313 or send us an email at admin5@tangicarterlaw.com. We will get back to you as soon as possible with a free consultation.