Drinking and driving under any circumstances is never wise, even if you believe that you are under the legal limit. In Mississippi, drunk driving charges can carry significant legal penalties and trigger consequences that may last for years to come. However, this does not mean you should simply accept DUI charges. Like any criminal charge, it is always wise to fight the charges and push for dismissal. If convicted, you may lose your license, face a hefty fine and in some cases, serve jail time.
Sometimes, beating the charges entirely is not possible, but it is still possible to lessen the punishments and protect your liberties with a strong defense. If you receive a conviction, you must attend the Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program (MASEP). Every DUI-convicted driver must attend the course before he or she may regain driving privileges.
If there is any silver lining to Mississippi’s DUI laws, the state does not enforce an aggravated offense penalty. In some states, drivers who receive charges with a blood alcohol concentration level above a certain threshold, such .15 percent, face automatically stiffer punishment if convicted.
If you or someone you know faces drunk driving charges, you may have more options than you think you do. If you are wondering what to do, reading this on your phone while you wait for the officer to walk up to your window, simply be mindful that anything you say is evidence against you. Remain calm and say as little as possible, but be compliant with the officer and do not lie. If you face similar charges, reach out to an experienced attorney in your area to begin your defense as soon as possible.
Source: FindLaw, “Mississippi DUI Laws,” accessed Oct. 13, 2017
