MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Wells-Smith

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-17-67, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE OFFENSE OF MALICIOUS MISCHIEF; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 97-17-67, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

97-17-67. (1) Every person who shall maliciously or mischievously destroy, disfigure, or injure, or cause to be destroyed, disfigured, or injured, any property of another, either real or personal, with a value of less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), shall be guilty of malicious mischief, a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined in a sum twofold the value of the property destroyed or of the damage done, or be imprisoned not exceeding twelve (12) months in the county jail. Anyone who by any word, deed or act directly or indirectly urges, aids, abets, suggests or otherwise instills in the mind of another the will to so act shall be considered a principal in the commission of said crime and shall be punished in the same manner.

(2) Any person who violates subsection (1) where the value of the property is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or more shall be guilty of felony malicious mischief and upon conviction shall be fined in a sum twofold the value of the property destroyed or of the damage done or be imprisoned for not more than five (5) years, or both. Anyone who by any word, deed or act directly or indirectly urges, aids abets, suggests or otherwise instills in the mind of another the will to so act shall be considered a principal in the commission of said crime and shall be punished in the same manner.

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