

A felony is defined as any offense for which the penalty included at least one year of prison. But, the penalties do not stop there. As a convicted felon, you lose your right to vote, to own or possess guns, and to hold some professional licenses. Often times, the only thing standing between a wrongfully accused citizen and a felony conviction is an attorney who believes in his or her client's innocence. In Mississippi, the potential prison time for any felony is typically very high, and the prosecutors use this to their every advantage. "Taking the deal" becomes the norm, even for those who maintain their innocence, simply because the risk of a lengthy jail term outweighs the benefit of going to trial and trying to clear your name. It is imperative that your attorney do the necessary investigation into the facts the state hopes to prove. This goes far beyond filing a standard discovery pleading. Speaking to witnesses, investigating and even re-creating the scene of the alleged crime, challenging potential experts proposed by the state, and fighting to exclude illegally obtained evidence are just a few of the things your defense attorney should do on your behalf. |

