LegalFix

§ 97-21-33. Penalty for forgery

MS Code § 97-21-33 (2019) (N/A)
Copy with citation
Copy as parenthetical citation

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section for offenses under Sections 97-21-13, 97-21-15, 97-21-17 and 97-21-23, a person convicted of forgery shall be punished as follows:

(a) When the amount of value involved is under One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not more than six (6) months, or by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both, if the court finds substantial and compelling reasons why the offender cannot be safely and effectively supervised in the community, is not amenable to community-based treatment, or poses a significant risk to public safety. If such a finding is not made, the court shall suspend the sentence of imprisonment and impose a period of probation not exceeding one (1) year or a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both. A person convicted of a third or subsequent offense under this paragraph (a), where the value of the property is not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), shall be punished by imprisonment in the Penitentiary for a term not exceeding three (3) years or by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

(b) When the amount of value involved is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or more but less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), by imprisonment in the Penitentiary for a term not more than five (5) years, or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both.

(c) When the amount of value involved is Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or more, but less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), by imprisonment in the Penitentiary for a term not exceeding ten (10) years, or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both.

(d) When the amount of value involved is Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) or more, by imprisonment in the Penitentiary for a term not exceeding twenty (20) years, or be fined not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both.

(2) A person convicted of forgery under any of the following: Section 97-21-13, relating to counterfeiting of currency or treasury notes of the United States; Section 97-21-15, relating to the counterfeiting of currency of a foreign government; Section 97-21-17, relating to possession of counterfeited currency; or Section 97-21-23, relating to engraving or possessing a plate to counterfeit certain notes, bills, drafts, checks and other evidence of debt, shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished as follows:

(a) When the amount of value involved is less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of not more than five (5) years, or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both;

(b) When the amount of value involved is Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or more, but less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not exceeding ten (10) years, or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both;

(c) When the amount of value involved is Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) or more, by imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty (20) years, or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both.

(3) The total value of the forgery by the person from a single victim shall be aggregated in determining the gravity of the offense.

LegalFix

Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal plans you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.

LegalFix provides its members with easy access to affordable legal services through a network of independent law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.

The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our network law firms.

You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your network law firm.

The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.

Use of this website, the purchase of legal plans, and access to the LegalFix networks of law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

We have updated our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosures. By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosures.
§ 97-21-33. Penalty for forgery