Bill > HB494

This bill is a comprehensive update to several sections of Mississippi's criminal code related to public funds and official misconduct. The bill brings forward and makes minor technical amendments to multiple sections of the Mississippi Code, primarily focusing on crimes involving public officials, embezzlement, and theft. Key provisions include maintaining a mandatory one-year minimum prison sentence for felonies involving the unlawful taking of $10,000 or more in public funds, updating definitions of "public official" and "person", and revising penalties for various financial crimes. The bill restructures some existing legal language, clarifying categories of public officials and standardizing language around offenses. It also introduces more nuanced sentencing guidelines for different levels of financial crimes, such as embezzlement and larceny, with penalties varying based on the monetary value of the stolen or misappropriated funds. The bill provides courts with more discretion in sentencing, allowing for probation or suspended sentences in some cases, while maintaining strict penalties for repeat offenders or those who pose significant risks to public safety. The changes are primarily technical in nature, aimed at improving the clarity and precision of existing law, and are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0494.xml