First Offense DUI in Mississippi

First DUI in Mississippi arrests and convictions carry the potential of both criminal and administrative penalties for drivers. Having legal counsel involved soon after arrest is essential towards addressing both of these issues. The following outlines the applicable penalties for first offenders possessing a valid, private driver’s license, and in turn, commercial drivers will be subject to different criminal and administrative action, as will juveniles and underage drivers in violation of zero tolerance laws.

Administrative Penalties

• First offense DUI in Mississippi results in administrative license suspension of ninety (90) days with the potential of a driver to obtain a hardship-based license after serving thirty (30) days of suspension

• First offense refusals to submit, under Mississippi’s implied consent laws, results in an automatic license suspension of ninety (90) days

• Reinstatement may require alcohol/substance abuse assessment

Criminal Penalties

• First offense DUI convictions in Mississippi carry potential of incarceration of up to two (2) days with no mandatory minimum period of incarceration

• Penalties also include attending alcohol/substance abuse assessment and educational courses, as well as attending a crime victims impact panel

• Fines range from $250 to $1100, which does not cover costs incurred during completion of sentence or other court fees or surcharges

• Convictions of first offense DUI influencing categorization and penalties associated with any subsequent or future DUI arrest for a period of five (5) years

Getting Legal Help

The state of Mississippi outright bars plea options entailing reduction of DUI charges into lesser criminal or non-criminal offenses, but defendants are still free to negotiate favorable plea terms within the confines of a given DUI charge. Likewise, defendants should seek out the advice and representation of legal counsel in an effort to obtain dismissal of the charges as well. For more information, consult with a Mississippi first DUI lawyer to learn more.