Full question:
What is the charge for contributing to the dilequency of a minor who commited a sex act while under your supervision? Does this carry a sentence of jail time?
- Category: Minors
- Date:
- State: Mississippi
Answer:
Under Mississippi law, any parent, guardian, or person who willfully contributes to the neglect or delinquency of a child can be charged with a misdemeanor. This includes actions that lead to the abuse of a child or that help a child escape custody. Penalties can include a fine of up to One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment for up to one year, or both (Miss. Code Ann. § 97-5-39).
If the child's lack of necessary care results in substantial harm, the penalties can increase to imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both. Additionally, if a person knowingly allows ongoing physical or sexual abuse of a child, they can face charges of neglect, with penalties of up to ten years in prison or a fine of up to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both.
For more severe cases, such as intentionally causing serious harm to a child, the penalties can be much harsher, including life imprisonment for certain acts (Miss. Code Ann. § 97-5-39).
In summary, contributing to the delinquency of a minor can lead to misdemeanor charges with potential jail time, while more serious neglect or abuse can result in felony charges and longer sentences.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.