Mississippi § 97-25-53 - Telegraphs and telephones; injuring or destroying lines; interrupting communications; stealing or destroying fixtures.

Full text of Mississippi Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 97-25-53 — Telegraphs and telephones; injuring or destroying lines; interrupting communications; stealing or destroying fixtures., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 97-25-53. Telegraphs and telephones; injuring or destroying lines; interrupting communications; stealing or destroying fixtures.

Any person who shall intentionally obstruct, injure, break or destroy, or in any manner interrupt any telegraph or telephone line, or communication thereon between any two (2) points, by or through which the said lines may pass, or who shall injure or destroy any of the posts, wires, insulators, or fixtures, or things belonging to such telegraph or telephone lines, such person shall, on conviction, be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00), nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or imprisoned in the county jail not exceeding six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment. Every person who shall be convicted of taking and carrying away, feloniously, such property as listed in subsection (1) of this section, of the value of one hundred dollars ($100.00) or more, shall be guilty of grand larceny, and shall be imprisoned in the penitentiary for a term not exceeding five (5) years, or shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both. If any person shall feloniously take, steal and carry away any such property as listed in subsection (1) of this section, under the value of one hundred dollars ($100.00), he shall be guilty of petit larceny and shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding three (3) months, or by fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00), or both.

Source: official Mississippi text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi § 97-25-53

What does Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 97-25-53 cover?

Section 97-25-53 ("Telegraphs and telephones; injuring or destroying lines; interrupting communications; stealing or destroying fixtures.") 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 § 97-25-53?

A common citation format is "Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 97-25-53" (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 § 97-25-53 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.