MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Judiciary

By: Senator(s) Stogner

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-17-59, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR TIMBER THEFT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 97-17-59, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

97-17-59. (1) Any person who * * * knowingly, willfully and feloniously takes, steals and carries away from the lands of another any merchantable timber * * * of the value of less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), whether the timber is growing, standing or lying on the lands, is guilty of a misdemeanor; and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not less than thirty (30) days nor more than one hundred (100) days, or both, in the discretion of the court.

(2) Any person who * * * knowingly, willfully and feloniously takes, steals and carries away from the lands of another any merchantable timber * * * of the value of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) or more, whether the timber is growing, standing, or lying on the lands, is guilty of a felony; and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by imprisonment in the Penitentiary for a term of not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or both, in the discretion of the court.

(3) The court may order that restitution be made to the owner in an amount determined by the court.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.