HB 1371 Summary

• Revises Mississippi's gang statute to criminalize "criminal gang activity" separately from underlying offenses, with felony gang activity punished by 5-15 years imprisonment plus $10,000-$15,000 fine in addition to underlying sentence, and misdemeanor gang activity by up to 5 years additional imprisonment.

• Creates civil cause of action allowing public authorities to recover damages from gangs and gang members for expenses and harms caused by gang activity, with punitive damages to fund juvenile prevention programs.

• Establishes injunctive relief procedures allowing courts to order closure or demolition of properties used for gang activity and provides forfeiture of firearms and weapons used by gang members.

• Expands definition of "criminal gang activity" to include specific conduct such as recruiting members, threatening witnesses, acquiring proceeds from criminal activity, and communicating threats to prevent testimony or gang withdrawal.

• Makes gang activity convictions ineligible for parole, early release, trusty-time allowances, earned-time allowances, and meritorious earned time; also creates new offense of threatening judges or law enforcement officers.