Raising Up An Alliance of Discerning Luminaries

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It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, possess, and consume alcohol. As a result, in addition to breaking the law, teens are particularly vulnerable to various problems that alcohol can cause. Some problems alcohol can cause are: addictions, heart and liver damage, slurred speech, impaired co-ordinations and slow reflexes. Alcoholism is a disease just like diabetes or high blood pressure. Consumption of alcohol can lead to intoxication and even death.

Studies of domestic violence frequently document high rates of alcohol and other drugs that impair judgement and increase aggression. We believe in order to reduce the incidence of these problems in the future; prevention of alcohol and other drugs abuse must be a top priority. If people knew more about alcohol poisoning, it could be avoided.

Alcohol poisoning, like other drugs overdoses, can occur after the ingestion of a large amount of any alcoholic beverage, including beer, wine, or hard liquor.

Alcohol (a depressant drug), once ingested, works to slow down some of the body's functions including heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. When the vital centers have been depressed enough by alcohol, unconsciousness occurs. People who survive alcohol poisoning sometimes suffer irreversible brain damage.

CRIME: The crime of operating a vehicle while intoxicated is the operating any motor vehicle, aircraft, water craft, vessel, or other means of conveyance when the operator is under the influence of alcoholic beverages or the operator's blood alcohol concentration is 0.10% or more by weight based on grams of alcohol per one hundred cubic centimeters of blood.

PUNISHMENT: The offender could be fined from $300 to $2000, be sentenced from probation to 10 or more years depending on the number of offenses committed. The offender may also be sentenced to substance abuse programs.

Marijuana is the illegal drug most often used in this country. Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the herb plant (cannabis sativa).  Other names are pot, weed, grass and herb.

All forms of cannabis are mind-altering (psychoactive) drugs; they all contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) the main active chemical in marijuana. 

Red eyes, dry mouth, laughing and hunger are some physical symptoms. The dangers of this drug is lung damage, panic reaction, and impaired short term memory.

Within a few minutes of inhaling marijuana smoke, the user will likely feel, along with intoxication, rapid heart beat, some loss of coordination and poor sense of balance. 

THC in marijuana is readily absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs. Generally, traces of the THC can be detected by standard urine testing methods several days after smoking. However, in heavy chronic users, traces can sometimes be detected for weeks after they have stopped using marijuana.

CRIME: Possession of marijuana is a crime. It is unlawful for any person  knowingly or intentionally to posses a control dangerous substance unless such substance was obtained directly, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order from a practitioner. Marijuana is a schedule one drug.

PUNISHMENT: The offender may be fined up to 1 million dollars and may be imprisoned from 6months to 80 years depending on how many times caught and how much marijuana they have in their possession. An offender may also receive probation at sentencing.

 In Mississippi, disturbing the peace is a misdemeanor offense that involves conduct causing or likely to cause a breach of public peace, such as violent or loud behavior, profane language, or intimidation. Penalties for a conviction can include a fine up to $500, up to six months in county jail, or both.  

 What is considered disturbing the peace in Mississippi? According to the Mississippi Code (Title 97, Crimes § 97-35-15), disturbing the public peace can include actions such as: 

• Violent, loud, insulting, profane, indecent, offensive, or boisterous conduct or language: in public.
• Conduct that is calculated to provoke a breach of the peace: or that actually leads to a breach of peace.
• Intimidation: of others.

Potential Penalties If convicted of disturbing the peace in Mississippi, a defendant can face: A fine of up to $500, Up to six months in county jail, and A combination of both. Important Considerations

• Misdemeanor offense: Disturbing the peace is classified as a misdemeanor in Mississippi. 
• Supplementary provisions: The laws concerning disturbing the peace are in addition to other applicable statutes. 
• Examples: Common examples include shouting in public, starting a fight, or playing loud music late at night, especially if it continues after a warning. 

 In Mississippi, burglary is the act of unlawfully entering a building or structure with the intent to commit a crime inside. This intent is key; the crime doesn't have to be successful for a burglary charge to be brought. Burglary is a felony offense, and penalties can be severe, especially if the entry is into a dwelling, with sentences potentially reaching up to 25 years. Key Elements of Burglary
To prove burglary in Mississippi, the prosecution must establish the following elements: 

1. Breaking and Entering: This involves gaining entry into a structure without permission, which can be by force or even by deception, such as pretending to be someone else to gain entry. It can also occur if you are lawfully in a building and then break into an inner door or a prohibited area.
2. Intent to Commit a Crime: At the time of entering, the person must have had the intent to commit a crime, such as theft, assault, or another felony. 

Distinction from Other Crimes

• Burglary vs. Larceny:Burglary requires the unlawful entry into a structure, while larceny (theft) does not. 
• Burglary vs. Trespass:Criminal trespass is simply entering or remaining on someone's property without permission, but it lacks the criminal intent to commit a crime, making burglary a more serious offense. 

Factors Influencing Severity
The penalties for burglary can vary based on the specifics of the crime, including: 

• Whether the burglary occurred in a dwelling versus another type of structure.
• If the offender was armed with a weapon.
• Whether the crime was committed at night. 

  In Mississippi, simple assault involves attempting to cause or causing bodily injury to another, negligently causing injury with a deadly weapon, or placing another in fear of imminent serious bodily harm. For a first offense, penalties can include a jail sentence of up to six months, a fine up to $500, or both. However, simple assault can become a felony under certain circumstances, such as domestic violence charges, or when the victim is a protected class like an elderly person. What constitutes simple assault

• Bodily injury: Intentionally or knowingly causing bodily harm, or negligently causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon. 
• Threat of injury: Using physical menace to instill fear of imminent, serious bodily harm in another person. 
• Physical action: Acts like pushing someone during an argument or swinging a fist in anger, even if it doesn't connect, can qualify. 

Potential penalties

• First offense: A fine up to $500, or imprisonment in the county jail for up to six months, or both. 

When simple assault becomes a felony
Simple assault can be elevated to a felony in situations such as: 

• Domestic violence:Simple assault committed against a current or former spouse, or certain other family members or dating partners, can become a felony. 
• Protected victims:Assaulting a person over the age of 65 can be treated as a felony. 
• Prior convictions:Subsequent simple domestic violence convictions can lead to felony charges. 

Factors to consider

• Aggravating factors: The presence of aggravating factors, such as the use of a weapon or targeting a vulnerable person, can increase penalties. 
• Legal counsel: Consulting an experienced criminal defense attorney is crucial, as every case is unique and defenses like self-defense may be available. 

 In Mississippi, disorderly conduct is generally a misdemeanor that can result in a fine of up to $500, up to six months in county jail, or both. It includes behaviors like creating a disturbance at a public business through loud talk, threats, or attempts to intimidate, and refusing to comply with a law enforcement officer's lawful order to prevent a breach of the peace. However, more serious actions, such as refusing to comply with an officer's order and causing injury or death, can elevate the charge to a felony with penalties of up to five years in the state penitentiary and a fine of up to $2,000. Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct (Mississippi Code § 97-35-13) 

• What it is: Creating a disturbance in a public place of business.
• Examples of conduct: Loud and offensive talk, making threats, attempting to intimidate.
• Punishment: A fine of up to $500, up to six months in county jail, or both.

Disorderly Conduct by Refusal to Comply (Mississippi Code § 97-35-7) 

• What it is: Refusing to comply with a law enforcement officer's order, request, or command to prevent a breach of the peace. 
• Punishment: A fine of up to $500 or imprisonment in the county jail for up to six months, or both. 

Felony Disorderly Conduct

• What it is: In specific cases, if a person refuses to comply with a police officer's order, and their actions result in injuries or death, it can be a felony offense. 
• Punishment: A prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $2,000. 

Factors that can affect a charge:

• Location: Whether the conduct occurs at a public business or another public place. 
• Intent: The person's intent to cause a disturbance or breach the peace. 
• Consequences of Actions: Whether the conduct leads to injury or death. 
• Alcohol or Drugs: While not a direct element of the crime, intoxication can contribute to the conduct and may be mentioned in the prosecution's case.