Mississippi § 77-9-253 - Stock-gaps and cattle-guards; crossing for plantation roads; penalty.
Full text of Mississippi Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 77-9-253 — Stock-gaps and cattle-guards; crossing for plantation roads; penalty., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 77-9-253. Stock-gaps and cattle-guards; crossing for plantation roads; penalty.
It is the duty of every railroad company to construct and maintain all necessary or proper stock gaps and cattle guards where its track passes through enclosed land, and to make and maintain convenient and suitable crossings over its track for necessary plantation roads. However, the duty to make and maintain convenient and suitable crossings for necessary plantation roads shall not apply to property under common ownership that is contiguous to a public road which provides access to a reasonably convenient public railroad crossing. For the purposes of this section, a public railroad crossing is reasonably convenient if it is one (1) mile or less from the plantation road measured along the railroad track. For any failure to comply with subsection (1) of this section, the railroad company shall be liable to pay Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), to be recovered by the person interested. A person owning or having an interest as cropper or tenant in land in an enclosure as described in subsection (1) of this section shall have a right of action under this section whether the land of such person is entered or traversed by said track or not. This section shall apply to all enclosed land, whether said land is or may be situated in a county or district where the stock law is or may be in force or not. The penalty provided for in subsection (2) of this section shall not be cumulative, and only one (1) recovery shall be had for each failure. The provisions of this section may be enforced by a court of competent jurisdiction. The provisions of this section shall not relieve a railroad company from the duty to continue to maintain convenient and suitable crossings over its track for necessary plantation roads and all necessary or proper stock gaps and cattle guards, if such crossings, stock gaps and cattle guards existed and were in use before July 1, 2002.
Source: official Mississippi text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi § 77-9-253
What does Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 77-9-253 cover?
Section 77-9-253 ("Stock-gaps and cattle-guards; crossing for plantation roads; penalty.") is part of the Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated, the codified statutory law of Mississippi. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Mississippi § 77-9-253?
A common citation format is "Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 77-9-253" (Mississippi). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Mississippi law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Mississippi official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Mississippi attorney.
How does Mississippi § 77-9-253 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Mississippi can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Mississippi.