Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

If you’ve been charged with a felony crime, one of the first steps in the Mississippi criminal court process is your arraignment. Many people are unsure what an arraignment is or why it’s important. At McCormick Lawrence, PLLC, we guide our clients through the arraignment process on a daily basis. What is an Arraignment? An…

If you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime in Mississippi for the first time, you’re likely confused, scared, and unsure of what to do next. Whether it’s a misdemeanor like DUI, domestic violence, or simple assault, or a non-violent felony such as drug possession or property theft, the choices you make early on can…

Calling a criminal defense lawyer can feel overwhelming — especially if this is your first time dealing with the legal system. At McCormick Lawrence, we aim to make this process as simple and supportive as possible from the very first phone call. Here’s what you can expect when you reach out to our firm: 1.…

When you’ve handled thousands of criminal cases like we have at McCormick Lawrence, you start to notice a pattern: people make the same mistakes over and over again. We get it — being charged with a crime is stressful, confusing, and most people don’t know what to expect. But some of the most common slip-ups…

If you or someone you love has been arrested for a felony in Mississippi, one of the first steps in the criminal process may be a preliminary hearing. But what is it—and why does it matter? Here’s what you need to know: 1. You Have a Right to a Preliminary Hearing—But Only If You’re Not…

Here at McCormick Lawrence, PLLC, attorneys Cameron McCormick and Bay Lawrence have handled hundreds of burglary and theft cases—and we know the law inside and out. But in Mississippi, the word burglary can mean a whole lot more than just breaking into a house. Let’s break it down. What Counts as Burglary? Under Mississippi law,…

In any criminal case, evidence can make or break the defense. It’s not uncommon in our criminal defense practice for us to allege the state lost evidence or failed to preserve evidence. Sometimes, these allegations are hard to prove. But what happens if that evidence really is lost—or worse, destroyed? Does that lead to my…

Short answer: No—unless a legal exception applies. Under both the U.S. and Mississippi Constitutions, your home is entitled to the highest level of privacy protection. That means police generally cannot search your house without a warrant signed by a judge. There are, however, a few narrow exceptions to this rule—one of the most important being…

In our practice, we often find ourselves waiting on a grand jury to take action in a case—typically one involving felony-level charges. So what exactly is a grand jury, and what do they do? Here’s a straightforward breakdown of how grand juries work, why their proceedings are secret, and what role they play in Mississippi’s…

Answered by a Mississippi Criminal Defense Attorney One of the most common cases we handle in our practice is domestic violence. Domestic violence charges in Mississippi are serious — and often complex. Whether you’re facing charges or concerned about a family member or friend, it’s important to understand the law around domestic violence cases and…