There are a number of plea options available under Mississippi law that can help you to avoid a criminal conviction. Having any sort of criminal conviction in your background can have a negative effect on your employment opportunities, housing choices, and more. By taking advantage of one of these options, you may be able to avoid a criminal conviction all together, and prevent a permanent stain on your record.
Non-Adjudication under Mississippi Law
Mississippi law provides for non-adjudication, which is a probation program that results in the dismissal of all criminal charges, if you comply with all of the requirements of the program, which may vary from case to case. Non-adjudication may be available even if you are initially charged with a felony.
Pre-Trial Intervention
Like non-adjudication, pre-trial intervention is a probation-type program that can result in the dismissal of all criminal charges. In order to qualify for dismissal of your charges, however, you must comply with various requirements of the program, typically including the payment of fees.
Drug Court / RID / Boot Camp
Some other sentencing alternatives might include processing through the drug court program, which consists of a five-year intensive probation program that includes substance abuse treatment, as well as RID or “boot camp”. RID is a six-month program in which you are placed on lockdown and taught skills such as decision-making and self-reliance. While the drug court and RID programs typically result in some sort of criminal conviction, they may reduce your conviction from a felony to a less serious classification of crime.
Consult an Attorney for Assistance
If you are charged with a crime, and you wish to avoid a criminal conviction, you should immediately contact criminal defense lawyer for advice. Only an experienced Mississippi attorney can advise you of your eligibility for programs such as non-adjudication and pre-trial intervention, which may be based in part on the nature of the crime(s) with which you are charged, as well as your past criminal history.
