MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2007 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A

By: Representative Franks

House Bill 710

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-23-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE OFFENSE OF EMBEZZLEMENT; TO REVISE PENALTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 97-23-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     97-23-19.  If any person shall embezzle or fraudulently secrete, conceal, or convert to his own use, or make way with, or secrete with intent to embezzle or convert to his own use, any goods, rights in action, money, or other valuable security, effects, or property of any kind or description which shall have come or been entrusted to his care or possession by virtue of his office, position, place, or employment, either in mass or otherwise, with a value of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or more, he shall be guilty of felony embezzlement, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in the custody of the Department of Corrections not more than ten (10) years, or fined not more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), or both.  If the value of such goods, rights in action, money or other valuable security, effects, or property of any kind is less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), he shall be guilty of misdemeanor embezzlement, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in the county jail not more than six (6) months, or fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.