Grand jury indicts 16 in Harrison Co. as habitual offenders
BILOXI, Miss. (AP) – A Harrison County grand jury has indicted 16 criminal defendants as habitual offenders and decided 13 qualify for prosecution with enhanced penalties.
The Sun Herald reports the recommendations were listed in the final report for the August term in the Second Judicial District in Harrison County Circuit Court. The six-month term in Biloxi ended Feb. 16.
The grand jury considered 305 cases, returned 213 true bills and recommended defendants facing a third felony qualify for a day-for-day prison term if convicted.
Jurors also recommended defendants charged with certain crimes face a double sentence or other enhanced penalties. Using a firearm while committing a crime, for instance, and selling drugs near a school or public park are among crimes that qualify for enhanced penalties under state laws.
