Madison County DUI Lawyers

Relentless DUI Defense in Madison County

Have you been arrested for DUI in or around Madison County? You are likely worried about how this arrest will impact your future. Mississippi courts take driving under the influence very seriously. You could be facing a range of stiff penalties. However, you are entitled to your day in court and no case is ever hopeless.

If you have been charged with DUI, you need an experienced Madison County DUI defense attorney who can position your case for the best possible outcome. Contact Savant & Rich, LLC today to start building your defense.

Arrange for a free consultation with a Madison DUI attorney at (601) 869-5015or contact us online.

What Are the DUI Laws in Mississippi?

As in other states, you can be arrested and charged with a DUI in Mississippi if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measures .08 percent or higher on a chemical test. If you are 21, the legal BAC limit is .02 percent. If you hold a commercial license, the legal limit is .04 percent.

You can be arrested with these BAC levels whether you appear to be impaired or not. You can also be arrested if you appear to be impaired as observed by the arresting officer even though your BAC level is below the legal limit.

What Are the DUI Penalties in Mississippi?

While there are several factors that can play into the severity of the penalties for a DUI conviction, common DUI penalties include:

First offense DUI

• Up to 48 hours in jail
• A fine of $250 – $1,000
• A 90-day license suspension
• Completion of an alcohol safety program

Second offense DUI

• 5 days up to 1-year in jail
• A fine of $600 – $1500
• A 2-year license suspension
• Completion of an alcohol safety program
• Installation and maintenance of an ignition interlock device

Third offense DUI

• 1 to 5-years in jail
• A fine of $2,000 – $5,000
• A 5- year license suspension
• Completion of an alcohol safety program
• Installation and maintenance of an ignition interlock device

Other penalties that many people do not consider include increased auto insurance premiums as well as a permanent criminal record that can be accessed on a background check by future employers, landlords, professional license agencies, and others.

How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in the State of Mississippi?

A DUI will stay on your driving record for five years in Mississippi and will stay forever for your criminal history.

Can You Get a DUI Expunged in Mississippi?

You can get a DUI expunged in Mississippi but the process can not occur until five years after you completed all of the requirements of the court. There are 6 requirements to expunge a DUI:

Did not refuse a blood, breath, or urine test;

Your blood alcohol concentration was below 0.16 if tested;

At the time of arrest, you were not the holder of a commercial driver’s license or a commercial learner’s permit

After your conviction, you completed all terms and conditions of the sentence imposed for the conviction

You have not been convicted of nor have any other driving under the influence charges pending; and

You can explain to the court why the conviction should be expunged.

What Is Nonadjudication?

If you have been charged with a first offense DUI, your life is not over. In addition to your defense of the charge, you may have the option of nonadjudicating the DUI.

Under nonadjudication, judgment in your case is withheld pending the completion of court ordered conditions. Those conditions include:

• Installation of an ignition interlock device for one-hundred and twenty (120) days in conjunction with a restricted license for the same OR suffering a one-hundred twenty day suspension of the person's driver's license;
• Completion of Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program (MASEP);
• Payment of fines, fees and assessments.

Some courts also require:

• Alcohol or drug screening
• Attendance at a victim-impact panel
• Proof that the person has not committed any other traffic violations while under court supervision.

After successful completion of all court ordered conditions, the court may enter an Order of Nonadjudication which loses the case. The greatest benefit of nonadjudicating a DUI is that it allows a person who may have a simply made one bad mistake to keep their record clean without suffering any of the negative effects of a DUI conviction.

Is It Worth Hiring a Lawyer for DUI?

While defense strategies exist for fighting a DUI, you will need an Madison County DUI attorney who is adept in all of the legal, scientific, and technical aspects of this offense. Our legal team has deep experience in handling all facets of your DUI case.

Why Choose Savant & Rich, LLC?

• With the help of an attorney skilled in DUI defense, you may be able to limit the negative consequences or even have the charge dismissed.
• At Savant & Rich, LLC, your case will be managed by a legal team that includes a former prosecutor who has deep insight into how the state operates.
• More than 35 years of combined experience.

For a thorough and aggressive defense, we recommend that you contact usas soon as possible.

Consult with a Madison DUI lawyer by contacting usat (601) 869-5015.