DUI Defense Lawyer in Jackson, MS

Protecting the Rights and Freedoms of Those Arrested For a DUI

One of the most stressful, scary, and confusing moments in your life is getting arrested for a DUI, especially if it is the first time you are facing the criminal justice system. If you are convicted, you may have to serve serious penalties, which include paying fines and court-related fees, driver’s license suspension, and even spending time in jail. In addition, having a conviction on your criminal record can have a significant negative impact on your life, making it extremely hard to get a job, apply for school, and live your everyday life.

If you are facing DUI charges in Jackson, MS, look no further than The Coon Law Firm, PLLC, to protect your rights and freedom inside and outside the courtroom. With over 500 criminal cases handled in Mississippi and Louisiana, our Jackson DUI defense lawyer has a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system to help you obtain the most favorable result in your case.

Are you dealing with a DUI charge in Mississippi? Don't face the criminal justice system alone, contact our DUI defense attorney in Jackson at (601) 299-4464 to schedule a consultation.

What are the DUI Laws in Mississippi?

DUI – also known as operating under the influence (OUI) in Mississippi – occurs when a driver has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at least .08 percent (or at least .04 percent for commercial driver’s license [CDL] holders or at least .02 percent for drivers under 21 years of age). Additionally, you can be charged with a DUI for driving while under the influence of an illegal drug or controlled substance, or a combination of both alcohol and drugs.

What are the Penalties for a DUI in Mississippi?

The following is a breakdown of the criminal penalties of a DUI conviction in Mississippi:

• First DUI – A conviction is punishable by a jail sentence of up to 48 hours, a maximum fine of $1,000, and up to 120 days of driver’s license suspension. However, first-time offenders may be eligible for non-adjudication, which means a judge will issue a stay on your sentence and require you to complete an alcohol safety program, have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in all your vehicles, and pay fines, in lieu of serving jail time.

• Second DUI – A conviction carries a maximum jail term of six months, fines of up to $1,500, and driver’s license suspension for up to one year.

• Third of subsequent DUI – Unlike a first or second DUI offense a third or subsequent DUI is a felony offense, rather than a misdemeanor. A conviction is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years and up to three years of driver’s license suspension.

Yet, if certain aggravating factors exist, you may have to serve harsher criminal penalties. For instance, if you were arrested with a child passenger who is under 16 years old, then you could be charged with child endangerment, which is a misdemeanor that carries a jail sentence of up to 12 months and a maximum fine of $1,000. If you were charged with a DUI in an accident that injured or killed another person, you could be charged with intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter, which are felonies that carry lengthy prison sentences.

Lastly, if you refuse to submit a post-arrest breath or blood test, your driver’s license will be confiscated, and you will serve driver’s license suspension for up to 90 days. If you were previously convicted of a DUI offense, a second or subsequent refusal carries a driver’s license suspension for up to one year. In either of these scenarios, it is imperative to contact our DUI defense lawyer in Jackson as soon as possible.

Contact Our DUI Attorney to Start Your Defense Today

Just because you were arrested does not mean you are guilty of the crime. You still have a chance to avoid conviction or avoid serving serious penalties like jail time with the help of our Jackson DUI lawyer.

Contact The Coon Law Firm, PLLC, today to discuss your case with our DUI Defense Lawyer in Jackson, MS!