Tough on Crime. This has been a caption we have heard in almost every Mississippi election for decades. Every politician has made the promise. For years we have “talked the talk”. But have we “walked the walk?” There is a saying I think applies here: Your actions are speaking so loudly I can’t hear a word you’re saying.
Let’s consider a few facts: In Mississippi a person can attempt to commit murder and fail. Let’s say the person shoots someone but his targeted victim lives. Sounds like a serious crime? Apparently not in Mississippi. Bail and bonding guidelines in the Mississippi code allow a judge to set the accused shooter free on bail for as little as $20,000. But wait – the suspect doesn’t have $20K handy? That’s ok. He only has to post ten percent, which in this case is $2,000. But wait again – still doesn’t have the cash? Again, that’s ok. He can finance it with a bail bondsman for as little as $100 down and $100 a month, plus some fees and interest. That gives him possibly a year or more to walk around free waiting on his trial date – plenty of time to hurt someone else. Shocking isn’t it? But it is happening in Mississippi.
Let’s consider another scenario. Let’s say that person while out on bond for attempted murder decides to get into a fight with a police officer or sheriff deputy, assaulting them with malice and intent to kill. Gets arrested again, remember – while on bond for attempted murder. Again, in Mississippi that’s ok. Within a few months he can be tried, found guilty and released for time served. Here’s your get out of jail free card. Oh – the charge for attempted murder? That’s ok too. Just come back when your trial date rolls around, if it rolls around. Your bond for the attempted murder charge is still in force. But this brings up another scenario.
In Mississippi, the State Crime Labs, due to lack of funding and staffing, are seriously backed up. Evidence by forensic scientists may not be returned to a municipality or sheriff’s office for a year or more. And in Mississippi, jurisdictions only have 270 days to indict a case or the accused felon walks free. In many cases the suspect in a violent crime walks free to commit other crimes with no concern that the State of Mississippi will do anything about it.
Are you angry yet? You should be. I can tell you as a mayor in rural Mississippi trying to create a safe environment for our citizens and law enforcement officers alike it makes me angry. Something has to change. Each of the illustrations I have just described has happened recently in a place near you – possibly even right here in Natchez. Our citizens deserve better.
This past week at the annual meeting of the Mississippi Municipal League, I presented the case for Violent Crime Reform to mayors, aldermen, police chiefs, prosecutors, and other officials from all over the state. The resounding response was the same: IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE.
In the coming weeks we will be working with leaders across our state to formulate a Violent Crime Reform Bill for passage in the 2026 MS Legislative Session. It will include a demand for full funding and staffing at Mississippi’s State Crime Labs. It will include increases in the bonding guidelines for Mississippi judges to follow on violent crime, including limits on their ability to release dangerous persons back onto the street for ridiculously low bond amounts. It will also include mandatory sentencing in certain cases such as assault on law enforcement officers. And financing of bail on violent crimes will be made illegal.
If we truly are to be a state that is tough on crime, we must walk the walk and our actions must match our words. Situations like the ones I have described in this message must stop. Violent Crime Reform is a must for Mississippi. Because Mississippi Deserves More.
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