MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Compretta

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-17-14, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL IN THE OFFENSE OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT UPON FIREMEN; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 97-17-14, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

97-17-14. Any person or persons who willfully, feloniously and maliciously set fire to or burn or cause to be burned or who aid, counsel or procure the burning of any commercial or residential building, whether occupied, unoccupied or vacant or any kitchen, shop, barn, stable, outhouse, vehicle, or wood, meadow, marsh, field or prairie, whether the property of the person or persons setting the fire or of another, and thereby cause serious bodily injury to a firefighter, law enforcement officer or any emergency medical personnel while said firefighter, law enforcement officer or emergency personnel is acting within the scope of his duty and office, whether said injury shall be intentional or unintentional, shall be guilty of aggravated assault and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years in the Penitentiary or by both such fine and imprisonment.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.