Hattiesburg, Mississippi DUI Criminal Defense Attorney

What happens if I was arrested for DUI in Hattiesburg?

Under Mississippi law, once you have been cited for violating the DUI statute, the state initiates two simultaneous, yet separate legal actions against you. The criminal action is in response to the ticket that was issued to you, while the administrative action is brought against your driver's license by the Mississippi DPS (Department of Public Safety). While both actions can result in the suspension of your driving privileges in Mississippi, it is important to remember that there may be additional penalties to consider and each action must be handled separately.

Mississippi DUI Administrative Hearing

Pursuant to Mississippi law, an individual has 10 days to request an Administrative Hearing from the Mississippi DPS (Department of Public Safety). If you fail to request a hearing within 10 days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your driver's license in Mississippi is automatically suspended for the applicable statutory time frame. In order to preserve your right to an administrative hearing, it is crucial that you submit your request to the Mississippi DPS within 10 days.

If you are arrested for DUI in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, it is a serious offense that can have major consequences, including jail time, loss of driving privileges, and monetary fines. It is imperative that anyone facing a DUI charge in Mississippi understand what challenges they will encounter. Seeking the legal advice of an aggressive and experienced DUI criminal defense attorney will help you understand all of your rights and options, including any defenses you might use.

DUI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• Mississippi Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the DUI statute with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04. A first time DUI conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 year, while any subsequent DUI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the commercial license.
• Driving Privileges - A first time DUI conviction results in the revocation of driving privileges in Mississippi for 90 days.
• Fines - Fines for a first time DUI range between a minimum of $250.00, up to a maximum of $1,000.00
• Jail Time - In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, a first time DUI offender faces up to 48 hours time in jail. In lieu of jail time, the court may order the offender to attend a victim impact panel.
• Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the revocation of driver's license for 90 days.
• Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of a DUI knowledge test and chemical assessment is required for reinstatement of driving privileges.
• Hardship Licenses - Provided that the offender has no previous DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) violations, and did not refuse to submit to chemical testing, the court may reduce the suspension of driving privileges after 30 days have elapsed from the effective date of the suspension. The court typically grants hardship driving privileges if it believes that continued suspension of driving privileges would hinder the offender's ability to continue employment, continue attending school or an educational institution, or obtain necessary medical care.

DUI Subsequent Offenses

Penalties are increasingly more severe for any more DUI violations. Due to the complexity of DUI laws in Mississippi, you may not be aware of rights and options, including any defenses you might use. This is why an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact a DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) criminal defense lawyer in Hattiesburg, Mississippi for a fast and free consultation.

Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.