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Mississippi Civil Rights Questions & Answers
Q: Seeking an attorney for public corruption case linked to HUD eviction and alleged management misconduct.

I need an attorney who will work on a contingency basis for a case involving public corruption. The apartment I was evicted from was funded by HUD, and the management allegedly lied during the eviction hearing. I have documents proving these lies, which seem to implicate management in misusing... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2025

It sounds like you’re dealing with a serious matter involving both housing rights and possible government misconduct. If the management of a HUD-funded property knowingly lied during your eviction proceedings and misused federal funds, that can trigger both civil and possibly criminal liability.... View More

Q: Do I retain the right to sue after filing a Notice of Claim against Water Valley Housing Authority in Mississippi?

I need advice on Mississippi law regarding a Notice of Claim I submitted to the Water Valley Housing Authority in March 2025. I initiated this notice to protect my right to sue, following issues that began in April 2024 relating to my eviction from government-funded apartments. The management... View More

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answered on Apr 13, 2025

In Mississippi, filing a Notice of Claim is an important step when pursuing legal action against a government entity like the Water Valley Housing Authority. The notice typically serves as a formal way to notify the agency of your intention to file a lawsuit, which is required before you can... View More

Q: Seeking representation for a lawsuit involving state and federal HUD compliance issues post-eviction.

I have been handling a legal matter since my eviction began in April 2024. It involves both state and federal issues related to non-compliance with HUD Rules and Regulations by an Executive Director. I submitted a Notice of Claim in March 2025 and understand that I have a year from the initial... View More

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answered on Apr 13, 2025

Given that your case involves both state and federal issues related to HUD compliance, you’ll need an attorney who is well-versed in housing law, particularly with cases involving government agencies and violations of regulations. The fact that you have evidence suggesting the Executive Director... View More

Q: How long is the deadline to file a lawsuit in Mississippi regarding a housing authority eviction starting April 2024?

I gave a Notice of Claim to the Water Valley Housing Authority in Water Valley, Mississippi, regarding my eviction that began in April 2024. During the eviction hearing, I believe the Executive Director lied under oath, stating she was following all HUD rules, which I contest. I've contacted... View More

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answered on Apr 13, 2025

In Mississippi, the time limit to file a lawsuit regarding housing disputes, including evictions, depends on the specific legal grounds of your case. If your claim involves a violation of federal housing laws or the violation of rights under the Fair Housing Act, you typically have one year from... View More

Q: Can I sue after Notice of Claim extension despite no response?

In April 2024, I began facing an eviction from government-funded apartments managed by state employees. I believe the management did not follow all HUD rules and regulations for tenants, despite the manager stating under oath that all rules were followed. I filed a Notice of Claim on March 10,... View More

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answered on Apr 12, 2025

Since you filed a Notice of Claim in March 2025, it's important to understand that this notice typically extends the deadline for filing a lawsuit against the government or state entities. However, the extension may be subject to specific timelines defined by state or federal law. If the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI, Civil Rights and Criminal Law for Mississippi on
Q: Is sitting in a vehicle under marijuana influence considered a DUI in MS?

I am inquiring about an incident involving someone else in Mississippi. The individual was in a stationary vehicle parked on a public street in a subdivision in front of a relative's house, under the influence of marijuana. They were in the driver's seat with the keys in the ignition but... View More

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answered on Apr 12, 2025

Mississippi DUI Elements Analysis

Under Mississippi Code § 63-11-30, being in "actual physical control" of a vehicle while impaired constitutes a DUI offense, even without driving. Mississippi courts have consistently interpreted actual physical control to include situations...
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1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law, Family Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Civil Rights for Mississippi on
Q: Evolution of Mississippi laws on husbands committing wives to mental institutions.

I'm researching the historical laws in Mississippi that allowed husbands to commit their wives to mental institutions without their consent. Specifically, I'm interested in understanding when these laws were enacted and how they evolved over time, including when they were no longer in use.

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answered on Mar 28, 2025

You are looking into a complex part of Mississippi’s legal history. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the law allowed husbands considerable authority over their wives, including the power to commit them to mental institutions without their consent. This practice was rooted in a broader system... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Civil Litigation for Mississippi on
Q: What should I do if charges of trespassing on my own property were dismissed and no attorney wants my case against the police department?

I was charged with trespassing on my own property, where I lived for 32 years, received mail, and ate daily. These charges were dismissed by a judge because they were not valid, which had led to my incarceration. As a 75-year-old with advanced osteoporosis, this situation has been exceptionally... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 27, 2025

Your situation sounds incredibly difficult and unfair. Being wrongfully incarcerated for trespassing on your own property of 32 years is deeply troubling, especially given your age and health condition with advanced osteoporosis.

Since you're having trouble finding an attorney to take...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Education Law for Mississippi on
Q: What can be done about school police harassment and false marijuana accusations?

I am concerned about the school police officer harassing me by calling and accusing me of smelling like marijuana, advising me not to return to my son's school. Previously, they accused my son of smelling like marijuana and made him take a drug test, which he passed. They have no evidence... View More

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answered on Mar 27, 2025

This kind of treatment is concerning and you have every right to address it. School police officers must follow proper procedures, and accusations based solely on an alleged smell without additional evidence may constitute harassment, especially when tests have disproven their claims.

You...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Mississippi on
Q: Charged with possession as a passenger; probation revoked. What are my rights in Mississippi?

I was a passenger in a vehicle during a traffic stop in Mississippi and was detained in the patrol car without notification of the reason for my detention. Although I have had no prior offenses since my release from prison over eight years ago, I was charged with possession after items were found... View More

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answered on Mar 26, 2025

You have several important rights in this situation that you should be aware of while navigating this challenging time. As a passenger, you generally have Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, and officers typically need reasonable suspicion to detain you during a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Mississippi on
Q: I was stopped and arrested in MS despite no crime. Charged with "No ID" and "Failure to Comply." Court date is May 6th, 2025. How was I arrested and booked?

On March 11, 2025, I was stopped on my way to work in Mississippi. The officer asked for my ID but confirmed no crime had been committed. I declined to show my ID under my 4th Amendment rights, and the officer asked me to step out of the vehicle. I was subsequently handcuffed and booked at the... View More

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answered on Apr 11, 2025

Based on the information you provided, it's hard to tell why you were pulled over in the first place. Your attorney should be able to gather more information about the reason for the stop at your first court appearance. You should make your attorney aware of your concerns, and ask them to do... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Civil Rights for Mississippi on
Q: Legal validity of receiving a ticket for passenger's seatbelt infraction and subsequent vehicle search at a checkpoint.

I was driving through a checkpoint in Mississippi for license and driving sober compliance when I was stopped because my passenger wasn't wearing a seatbelt. It was the first citation related to seatbelt laws I have ever received. The officer stated that as the driver, I was responsible for my... View More

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answered on Mar 26, 2025

In Mississippi, drivers can indeed receive citations for passengers who don't wear seatbelts, as state law places this responsibility on you as the driver. The Mississippi Code Section 63-2-1 makes the driver accountable for ensuring all passengers buckle up, and this is enforceable as a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Criminal Law for Mississippi on
Q: Illegal search and misconduct by officers in Pearl, MS in 2003.

In April 2003, in Rankin County, Pearl, MS, I was asleep in a work truck owned by my employer when an officer woke me up and led me around the front of the vehicle. Without my permission or knowledge, another officer conducted a search and claimed to find methamphetamine. Additionally, an officer... View More

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answered on Mar 24, 2025

You're describing a very troubling situation with potential violations of your Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. What you've outlined—officers conducting a search without permission, planting evidence, and later attempting to access your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights for Mississippi on
Q: In the state of Mississippi can a neighbor film and post a worker doing their job and complain about it on a public chat

Neighborhood group me. They are mad because someone is power washing the driveway and making complaints about to the Neighborhood. Seems rude to me.

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answered on Feb 8, 2025

It can be frustrating when neighbors take issue with something as routine as power washing a driveway, especially when they go as far as filming and posting complaints in a public chat. In Mississippi, people generally have the right to record things happening in public view, including workers... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Consumer Law for Mississippi on
Q: Is the gramm leach bililey act 1974 mean that companies or employers have straight rules to follow like falseadvertisem

The game apps on everybody's phone misleads people and has false advertisement and under the code 15 U.S.C 1125 a directly says that they're not allowed to for have any false advertisement or mislead any people under that is violating people's civil rights so just look at this and... View More

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answered on Feb 8, 2025

You're raising an important concern about false advertising in mobile apps and whether there is a legal case against them. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) of 1999 mainly deals with financial institutions and how they handle consumer data. It does not directly regulate false advertising or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Mississippi on
Q: Any civil right later in or around Hernando MS that do not charge up front abs recive there payment when case won in cou
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answered on Jan 24, 2025

When contacting these attorneys, it's important to inquire about their fee arrangements to ensure they align with your financial situation. Many civil rights lawyers understand the challenges clients face and are willing to work on a contingency basis, meaning you won't have to pay unless... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights for Mississippi on
Q: How much should I ask for 4 wrongful incarseations? Judge dismissed all charges for trespassing.
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answered on Jan 18, 2025

Your situation involving wrongful incarceration for trespassing charges that were later dismissed is quite serious and deserves careful consideration. Each case of wrongful incarceration can have profound impacts on someone's life, affecting employment, relationships, and emotional well-being.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights for Mississippi on
Q: 4 Wrongful Incarseation. Charges trespassing charges. Asked me how much I wanted had no idea. Judge told me to get att

How much money I wanted no idea. Can you help,

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answered on Jan 18, 2025

I hear how difficult and confusing this situation must be for you. Being wrongfully incarcerated for trespassing charges is serious, and it's understandable that you felt uncertain when asked about compensation.

For wrongful incarceration cases, typical compensation can vary...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights for Mississippi on
Q: Can law enforcement pull me over and search me and my car 4 days in a row

Mississppi

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answered on Jan 13, 2025

In Mississippi, law enforcement officers have the authority to pull you over if they have a reasonable suspicion that you've violated traffic laws or are involved in criminal activity. Each traffic stop must be justified by specific reasons, such as a traffic violation or suspicious behavior... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights for Mississippi on
Q: My son was killed in our home on June 12 2021 it's been 3 years why will local law enforcement not release it to me

I'm his birth mother

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answered on Jan 13, 2025

I'm so sorry for your loss and the pain you're experiencing. It must be incredibly difficult not having the information you need about your son's death.

Law enforcement agencies sometimes withhold information while investigations are ongoing to ensure all facts are properly...
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