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First-Offense DUI Defense in Mississippi
A first DUI can cost you your license, a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 48 hours in jail. Attorney Mark A. Cliett helps you deal with the 30-day permit, your license and the charge itself.
DUI charges may have serious repercussions, such as losing your driving privileges, paying substantial penalties and even going to jail. A first offense in Mississippi also comes with its own deadlines, and the first one arrives before most people have a court date in hand.
Attorney Mark A. Cliett has over 30 years of experience and has served as a prosecutor and judge. He can go over the charge, your license and your options at a free consultation.
What a first DUI can mean in Mississippi
| What is at stake | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Fine | $250 to $1,000 |
| Jail | Up to 48 hours. The court may substitute a victim impact panel. |
| Class | MASEP, within six months of sentencing |
| Regular license | 120-day suspension after conviction, unless the court orders an ignition-interlock restricted license |
| Commercial license | One-year disqualification from driving a commercial vehicle |
| Insurance | Proof of insurance for three years |
These come from Section 63-11-30 of the Mississippi Code and the Department of Public Safety’s DUI page. Our guide to the fine, jail exposure and the class walks through each one.
Start with the 30-day permit
The receipt the officer gave you for your license is a temporary permit, and it is only good for 30 days. To stop a 90-day suspension, the driver has to contact the court, request a trial date and request an extension of the permit. Read the 30-day clock for how it works.
What Mark goes over with you
- Contesting the charge. Your options on the charge itself, starting with the trial date.
- Non-adjudication. Whether you may qualify for non-adjudication on a first DUI, and what it still requires.
- A refused test. What refusing the breath test does to your license.
- Keeping you on the road. How an ignition-interlock restricted license works in place of a suspension.
- The class. How and when to complete MASEP.
When it is more than a first offense
A second conviction within five years carries higher fines and mandatory jail time, and a third within five years is a felony. See felony criminal defense if that is where you are.
Where Mark takes first-offense DUI cases
Mark takes DUI cases from Columbus and Starkville, with Aberdeen and Tupelo also covered.
Call (662) 494-4999 for a free consultation, by appointment. Have your ticket and the receipt for your license nearby.
- The 30-day permit
Your license receipt works as a temporary permit for 30 days. Contact the court in time, or a 90-day suspension follows.
- Your license
A first conviction means a 120-day suspension of a regular license unless the court orders an ignition-interlock restricted license.
- The charge
You can request a trial date. A qualifying first offense may also be non-adjudicated, one time only.
- The required class
Conviction or non-adjudication means completing MASEP, the Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program.
FAQ
First-Offense DUI Defense in Mississippi Questions
Still have questions? Call for a free consultation.
How long do I have to act after a first DUI arrest in Mississippi?
Treat it as 30 days. The receipt for your license is a temporary permit that is valid for 30 days. If no one contacts the court in that time to get an order extending it, your driving privileges are suspended for 90 days.
Will I go to jail for a first DUI in Mississippi?
The statute allows up to 48 hours in jail, a fine of $250 to $1,000, or both, and the court may substitute a victim impact panel for the 48 hours. What happens in your case depends on the facts and the court, so ask about yours at the free consultation.
Can a first DUI be non-adjudicated?
A qualifying first offense may be. The court withholds a finding of guilt and sentencing and places you in a program with conditions. You can use it one time, and holders of a commercial license or learning permit at the time of the offense are not eligible.
Can I keep driving after a first DUI?
Possibly. To continue driving instead of serving a suspension, the court can order an ignition-interlock restricted license. The device goes on every vehicle you operate and has to be installed before the suspension starts.
What does a consultation cost?
The consultation is free, by appointment only. Call (662) 494-4999. Cashapp, Venmo, debit and credit cards are accepted if you hire the office.
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Ready to Get Started?
A first DUI can cost you your license, a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 48 hours in jail. Attorney Mark A. Cliett helps you deal with the 30-day permit, your license and the charge itself.