Harassment and Stalking Laws in Mississippi

Stalking is purposely engaging in a course of conduct aimed at a specific person, or making a credible threat, that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety (contacts by phone, mail or electronic communication count); it is punished by up to one year in county jail and/or up to $1,000 (§ 97-3-107(1)). It becomes aggravated stalking, a felony with up to five years and up to $3,000, when, for example, a deadly weapon is used or displayed or the person has a stalking conviction within the past seven years (§ 97-3-107(2)). Cyberstalking (threats, demands or repeated harassing electronic communications) is a felony with up to two years and/or $5,000, or up to five years and/or $10,000 if it violates a restraining order or release conditions, involves a credible threat, or is a repeat offense (§ 97-45-15). Harassing telephone or electronic communications are a misdemeanor (up to $500 and/or six months), and a third offense within five years is a felony (up to two years) (§ 97-29-45).

Mississippi's rule on court-appointed lawyers: An 'indigent' defendant is 'a person who is financially unable to employ counsel' (Rule 7.3(a)). A defendant who wants to proceed as indigent may complete an affidavit on the defendant's financial resources on a court-approved form, or be examined under oath by the judge (Rule 7.3(b)). In counties or municipalities that have a public defender, the public defender represents defendants entitled to appointed counsel; otherwise a private attorney is appointed (Rule 7.3(e)-(f)). Each circuit establishes local procedures for appointing counsel (Rule 7.2). Miss. R. Crim. P. 7.2, 7.3

Lawyers set their own fees, and Mississippi has rules on how they may charge. See hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Mississippi for fee rules, how to check a lawyer's license and free help.

How release before trial works in Mississippi: Under the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure, a defendant charged with an offense bailable as a matter of right 'shall be released' on personal recognizance or an appearance bond unless the court finds release will not reasonably assure appearance or the defendant poses a real and present danger to others or the public; if so, the court shall impose the least onerous conditions that will reasonably assure appearance or minimize the risk (Rule 8.2(a)). The court considers listed factors, including age, family ties, criminal record, violence in the alleged offense, the nature of the offense and likely sentence, weapon used, threats against victims or witnesses, residence, employment and financial condition (Rule 8.2(a)(1)-(15)). Rule 8.2(c) sets bond guidelines courts may go above or below, e.g., capital felony $25,000 to no bail allowed; non-capital felonies punishable by up to 10 years $5,000 to $50,000; misdemeanors punishable by up to 6 months $250 to $1,000. A person arrested must be taken before a judge for an initial appearance without unnecessary delay and no later than forty-eight (48) hours after arrest (Rule 5.1). Miss. R. Crim. P. 5.1, 8.2 What happens after an arrest.

Each state sets its own rules for sealing or expunging records. See Mississippi expungement and record sealing rules.