Most DUI arrests in Mississippi are misdemeanors – but the consequences can nevertheless be severe, costly, and extremely inconvenient. Potential costs of a DUI arrest may include impact to your career advancement or job choices, potential risks to professional licenses or security clearances, higher auto insurance rates, social stigma, and restrictions on travel to certain foreign countries such as Canada. Due to the potential long-term personal and economic impacts of a criminal DUI arrest, hiring an experienced and reputable criminal defense attorney is one of the most important long-term investments you can make in your future. If you’ve been charged with a DUI or intoxication crime in South Mississippi, Gulfport - Pascagoula criminal defense attorney Sean Buckley is ready to fight for your legal rights and defend your reputation.
Mississippi Code §63-11-30, in general terms, makes it unlawful for a person to drive or otherwise operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other substance. A person may also commit DUI in Mississippi by having a certain blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as follows:
0.08% for adults 21 and over;
0.02% for persons under 21
0.04% for persons operating commercial vehicles
DUI convictions in Mississippi carry potential punishments as listed below, as well as the potential for driver’s license suspensions that vary according to the person’s DUI history and/or the circumstances of the offense.
DUI First Offense
The maximum jail sentence for a first-time DUI offense is 180 days in jail. Fortunately, for cases that aren’t capable of being resolved with dismissals or “not guilty” verdicts, we’re typically able to negotiate resolutions with no additional jail time ordered. Consequences for a DUI first offense in Mississippi are set by state law and include:
Jail time up to 48 hours (may be substituted for attendance at a “victim impact panel” upon a judge’s order);
Fines of $250 - $1,000;
Mandatory driver’s license suspension of 120 days.
Second Offense DUI
Consequences for a Second Offense DUI committed within 5 years of the prior DUI are set by state law and include:
$600 - $1,500 fine
5 days to 6 months in jail
Community service work for 10 days to 6 months
Mandatory driver’s license suspension of 1 year.
Third Offense DUI
Consequences for a Third Offense DUI committed within 5 years of the prior offense are set by state law and include:
$2,000 - $5,000 fine
1 year – 5 years incarceration in the MDOC; or in the county jail, at the discretion of the judge, when the offense did not involve serious injury or death to any person
Driver’s license suspension for the full period of the person’s sentence, and then, may drive only under an ignition interlock restricted license for 3 years.
Fourth and Subsequent Offense DUI
Consequence for a Fourth and Subsequent Offense DUI (without regard to the time period since the last DUI) are set by state law and include:
$3,000 - $10,000 fine
2 years – 10 years incarceration in the MDOC
No driving without ignition interlock device for a period of 10 years;
Driver’s license suspension for the full period of the person’s sentence, and then, may drive only under an ignition interlock restricted license for 10 years.
Aggravated DUI
Anyone committing DUI who negligently causes death or serious injury to another person is guilty of a separate felony for each victim and shall be committed to the MDOC for 5-25 years for each victim, and multiple convictions may be run concurrently or consecutively at the discretion of the judge.
Court may order ignition interlock restriction as a condition of probation or post-release supervision up to 5 years.
DUI Child Endangerment
Anyone over 21 years old who commits DUI while transporting a child under 16 is guilty of the separate offense of endangering a child by DUI. The offense shall not be merged with the DUI offense for purposes of prosecution and sentencing. Punished as follows:
No serious injury or death of a child; first conviction = misdemeanor; fined up to $1,000 and imprisoned up to 12 months, or both
No serious injury or death, second conviction = misdemeanor; fined $1,000 - $5,000 or imprisoned for 1 year, or both.
No serious injury or death, third conviction = felony; fined $10k or more and imprisoned 1 -5 years in MDOC
Serious injury or death, regardless of the number of priors if any = felony; fine not less than $10,000 and imprisoned 5 years – 25 years MDOC.
Whatever the circumstances, if you’ve been charged with a DUI or intoxication crime in South Mississippi, Gulfport - Pascagoula criminal defense attorney Sean Buckley is ready to fight for your legal rights and defend your reputation. Don't let criminal charge ruin the rest of your life!
Gulfport, Mississippi Criminal Defense Attorney Sean Buckley is highly skilled at handling DUI cases and knows effective strategies for obtaining a winning verdict. Although Mr. Buckley cannot guarantee the result of a case, he does guarantee to exhaust all resources and energies into building a strong defense, collecting compelling evidence, and challenging and negotiating with the prosecution to increase your chances of achieving a favorable outcome!
For a Free Case Evaluation with Mr. Buckley, please fill out this contact form and we will respond quickly. We offer In-Office meetings as well as Zoom/Virtual meetings.
Federal & State of Mississippi criminal defense attorney Sean Buckley, whose primary office is located in Gulfport, Mississippi has defended numerous individuals over the past two decades that have been wrongfully accused of federal and state crimes.
There are many criminal defense attorneys throughout South Mississippi and across the U.S.
with impressive online profiles, but many lack the actual qualifications and experience to defend clients in serious and complex cases. If you are facing serious DUI charges you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side to fight for you!
AV-Rated, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers- Pascagoula/ Gulfport & South Mississippi Criminal Defense Attorney Sean Buckley is here to fight for your legal rights & reputation!
