In previous posts the penalties associated with a first conviction of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) have been discussed. In this post I just wanted to a brief synopsis on the penalties associated with not only a first DUI conviction, but the penalties associated with convictions up to being convicted of a fourth DUI.
The penalties prescribed by Mississippi law for a DUI First Offense:
- fined not less than $250 or more than $1,000 in fines or up to 48 hours in jail, or both;
- must attend and complete an alcohol safety education program within 6 months of sentencing;
- suspended driver’s license for no less than 120 days or an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle for 120 days
DUI Second Offense within 5 years:
- A minimum of 5 days but up to 6 months in Jail;
- Fines from $600 up to $1,500;
- 10 days to 6 months community service;
- your driver’s license could be suspended for up to one (1) year.
DUI Third Offense within 5 years. Upon being charged with a third DUI a driver has crossed over from misdemeanor charges to facing the possibility of a felony conviction.
- minimum of 1 year to maximum of 5 years in Jail (house arrest is a common sentence for a third DUI conviction);
- $2,000 up to $5,000 in fines;
- Driver’s license suspension;
DUI Fourth Offense within a person’s lifetime:
- vehicle operated at time of arrest is subject to forfeiture;
- $3,000 to $10,000 fine;
- minimum of 2 years to maximum of 10 years in jail;
- Driver’s license suspension for the full period of the person’s sentence.