Mississippi Code Title 75. Regulation of Trade, Commerce and Investments § 75-71-508

(a)Criminal penalties. A person that willfully violates this chapter except Section 75-71-504 or the notice filing requirements of Section 75-71-302 or Section 75-71-405, or that willfully violates Section 75-71-505 knowing the statement made to be false or misleading in a material respect, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in Section 75-71-613 or imprisoned not more than five (5) years, or both. An individual convicted of violating a rule or order under this chapter may be fined, but may not be imprisoned, if the individual did not have knowledge of the rule or order. Each violation shall be considered as a separate offense in a single proceeding or a series of related proceedings.

(b)Criminal referral not required. The Attorney General with or without a referral from the administrator, may institute criminal proceedings under this chapter. The attorneys duly employed by the administrator may be appointed by the Attorney General or the proper prosecuting attorney or local district attorney to act as special prosecutors in criminal proceedings.

(c)No limitation on other criminal enforcement. This chapter does not limit the power of this state to punish a person for conduct that constitutes a crime under other laws of this state.