What Are Felony Charges in Mississippi?

 Felony convictions also carry long-term consequences beyond incarceration, such as loss of firearm rights, limits on voting until rights are restored, difficulty securing housing or employment, and immigration consequences for non-citizens.

Mississippi does not classify felonies by lettered classes like some felony charges in mississippi states that use A, B, C, etc.. Instead, felonies are defined and punished according to the specific statute for each offense. Common categories of felony crimes include but are not limited to: **violent crimes** (such as murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault), **drug-related offenses** (including trafficking, manufacturing, or possession with intent to distribute), **property crimes** (such as burglary, arson, grand larceny, and certain frauds), **sexual offenses**, and **offenses against public order** such as robbery, kidnapping, or certain weapons violations.

Punishment for felonies in Mississippi varies widely. Some felonies carry **mandatory minimum sentences**, especially drug trafficking and violent crimes. Others give judges broad discretion depending on factors such as criminal history, use of a weapon, victim vulnerability, or whether a plea agreement has been reached. Certain felonies — including **capital murder** — may carry the death penalty or life without parole. For other felonies, parole or probation may be possible depending on the statute and circumstances.

Mississippi also has a **habitual offender law**. A defendant with prior felony convictions can face enhanced penalties, including mandatory maximum sentences without eligibility for parole. This means that repeat offenders can serve significantly longer terms than first-time offenders for the same type of crime.

Felony convictions produce lasting legal consequences. A person convicted of a felony loses the right to possess firearms or to vote until rights are formally restored.