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WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?

What Are my Rights if I Have Been Arrested or Accused of a Crime in Mississippi?

Despite how you might feel before we get there, you have LOTS of rights when you are accused of a crime in the state of Mississippi. These rights are guaranteed by the Mississippi Constitution and the United States Constitution, and it is the job of your lawyer to make sure you understand your rights, and that they are not violated by ANYONE in the process.

These rights include, but are not limited to:

  • the right to remain silent to avoid incriminating yourself
  • the right to a lawyer
  • the right to reasonable bail in almost all circumstances
  • the right to a jury trial in most cases
  • the right to know the charges that are being alleged against you
  • the right to confront all witnesses against you

Other very important things to remember are that you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The state or the federal government has the burden of proving you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and you do not have to say or do anything to prove you are innocent. You cannot be forced to testify against yourself at your trial, and there is no negative inference drawn (nobody is allowed to hold it against you) that you don’t testify if you choose not to.

There are numerous other rights and constitutional protections concern search and seizure, confessions, and any number of other substantive and procedural issues.

Contact Attorney Clarence T. Guthrie III

To speak with a Mississippi criminal defense lawyer about state or federal criminal charges, contact The Guthrie Firm, PLLC in Ridgeland, Mississippi, on County Line Road very close to Jackson. To schedule a free consultation with attorney Clarence T. Guthrie III, call 601-991-1099 or toll-free at 866-991-1055. Feel free to contact us by email as well.