MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Warren

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-17-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE PENALTIES FOR BURGLARY OF A CHURCH, MOSQUE, SYNAGOGUE OR OTHER PLACE OF WORSHIP; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 97-17-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

97-17-33. (1) Every person who shall be convicted of breaking and entering, in the day or night, any shop, store, booth, tent, warehouse, or other building or private room or office therein, water vessel, commercial or pleasure craft, ship, steamboat, flatboat, railroad car, automobile, truck or trailer in which any goods, merchandise, equipment or valuable thing shall be kept for use, sale, deposit, or transportation, with intent to steal therein, or to commit any felony, or who shall be convicted of breaking and entering in the day or night time, any building within the curtilage of a dwelling house, not joined to, immediately connected with or forming a part thereof, shall be guilty of burglary, and imprisoned in the Penitentiary not more than seven (7) years.

(2) Every person who shall be convicted of breaking and entering, in the day or night, any church, mosque, synagogue or other place of worship with intent to steal therein, or to commit any felony, shall be guilty of burglary and imprisoned in the Penitentiary for not less than three (3) years nor more than fourteen (14) years.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.