Mississippi DUI Law
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Mississippi DUI video transcription
Mississippi DUI arrests trigger what is known as the 10-day rule for driver's license issues. In Mississippi, if you either refused to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test or you gave a test where the results were .08 or higher, the state will attempt to suspend your license or privilege to drive for 90 days to one year. You have 10 days to appeal that to Department of Motor Vehicles. If you’ve been arrested in Mississippi you should contact an experienced attorney right away.
Mississippi DUI or drunk driving arrests trigger two separate cases: the court case, where a DUI conviction can result in fines, jail time, mandatory alcohol education programs, and more; and the Department of Motor Vehicles case, where the DMV is trying to take away the driver's license of anyone arrested for drunk driving.
Drunk driving defense is a specialized area. Let one of the qualified DUI LAWS attorneys find a solution to your legal problem if you, or someone you care about, has been arrested for DUI or DWI. Contact a Mississippi DUI LAWS lawyer near you for a free consultation by calling 1.800.DUI.LAWS.
Mississippi DUI law makes it illegal to operate a
vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, or while
having a blood alcohol level of .08% or more. For
persons under 21, having a blood alcohol level of .02%
or more will run afoul of Mississippi drinking and
driving laws. For those driving commercial vehicles,
the legal limit is .04%.
Mississippi drunk driving arrests trigger
administrative license revocations, meaning that when
someone is arrested in Mississippi and has a blood
alcohol content of .08% or greater, their driver's
license will be taken away on the spot, and can only
be saved by making a timely request of the Mississippi
DMV.
Mississippi DUI arrests trigger what is known as
the "10-day rule" for driver's license issues. In
Mississippi, if you either refused to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test, or you gave a test where
the results were .08% or higher, the state will
attempt to suspend your license or privilege to drive
for 90 days to one year. This attempt to take away
your right to drive will occur PRIOR to any criminal
trial for DUI (in most cases) and will be
automatically entered against you unless you file a
test refusal petition within 10 calendar days after
the mailing of a notice of letter of intent to
suspend. Filing a test refusal petition does not
postpone the suspension. The license you receive when
there has been a refusal to take a state-administered
test is valid for only forty-five (45) days from the
date of the arrest. This license cannot be renewed or
extended for any period of time. The test refusal
hearing is an informal hearing. There will not be a
jury. The decision will be announced at the
administrative hearing to agree with the State to
suspend your license or to return it to you. The
hearing is needed to determine if you will be able to
retain your driving privileges until the end of your
DUI case or if you will lose the right to drive in
Mississippi prior to your trial. In addition, this
hearing offers a great opportunity to cross-examine
the officer under oath about the facts of your case.
Criminal penalties in Mississippi drunk driving
cases are quite harsh. There is a 5-year "washout" rule, meaning that prior DUI offenses cannot be used
to trigger multiple-offender punishment after five
years have elapsed. Third-offense DUI cases (within 5
years) are treated as felonies in Mississippi. Vehicle
impoundment and forfeiture laws are also on the books
for Mississippi DUI cases.
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Zero Tolerance For Minors (Under 21)
First Offense (Under 21)
- Applies if you take the test and the results are
between .02% -.08% Breath Alcohol Concentration
- Refusal, You Are Treated Like An Adult First
Offense
- Fine $250
- Licensed Suspended Ninety (90) Days; Thirty (30) Days If No Breath Test Refusal May Be
Non-Adjudicated At Court's Discretion
Second Offense (Under 21)
- Fine Up To $500.00
- License Suspension One (1) Year (Reduction To Six (6)Months After Certified
Alcohol/Drug Program)
Third Offense (Under 21)
- Fine Up To $1,000.00
- License Suspension For Two (2) Years Or
Until Age 21 (Whichever Is Longer)
- Completion Of Certified Alcohol/Drug Program
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Adult Offenses (Over 21)
First Offense (Over 21)
- Fine $250-$1,000 And Court Costs
- Forty-Eight (48) Hours In Jail
- License Suspension For One (1) Year
- MASEP & VIRP
Second Offense Within 5 Years (Over 21)
- Fine $600-$1,500 And Court Costs
- Five (5) Days To One (1) Year In
Jail And Ten (10) Days To One (1) Year
Of Community Service
- License Suspension For Two (2) Years
- Automobile Impounded Or Immobilized For Term Of
Suspension
Third Offense Within 5 Years (Over 21)
- Fine $2,000-$5,000
- One (1) To Five (5) Years
Incarceration At The State Penitentiary
- License Suspension For Five (5) Years
- Automobile Seizure And Sale With Proceeds To The
State
- Felony Conviction - Loss Of Civil Rights - Loss
Of Careers
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DUI Resulting In Death Or Disfigurement
- Felony Conviction - Loss Of Civil Rights - Loss
Of Careers
- Imprisonment In State Penitentiary For A Period
Of Time of Not Less Than Five (5) Years And
Not To Exceed Twenty Five (25) Years.
License Reinstatement
- Must Attend MASEP (Mississippi Alcohol Safety
Education Program),
$150 For Four (4) Three (3) Hour
Sessions Over The Course Of One (1) Month.
- Proof Of Insurance. Sr-22 Filed For Three (3) Years.
- Proof Of Payment Of Fines And Completed Jail
Time.
- Reinstatement Fee Of $100
Hardship License
(Available Only To First Time Offenders Who Take
The Intoxilyzer Test.)
Only Available For Reasons Of:
- Maintain Employment
- Continue Education
- Obtain Necessary Medical Care
- License Will Be Suspended A Minimum Of 30 Days
Before Hardship License Can Be Granted.
Refusal Penalties
- 1st Offense - Suspension Of License For 90 Days
- 2nd Offense - Suspension Of License For 1 Year
- 3rd Offense - Suspension Of License For 1 Year
- Suspension Is In Addition To Any Suspension For
A Conviction and Is Consecutive To Any Other Suspension Period
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Mississippi Driver's Rights Card
A prominent Mississippi DUI lawyer has created the Driver's Rights Card,
specifically tailored to Mississippi DUI law. It is
recommended that all Mississippi drivers print this
page and keep it with them, to be presented to a
police officer in the event of a traffic stop for
suspected drunk driving.
Please note: Laws change frequently and thus the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice. To be certain, contact a
criminal defense attorney for a legal assistance.
1800DUILAWS.com is not liable for any misinformation that users obtain from using this site.