Mississippi Multiple DUI? Fight Back with Housley Law

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Why Multiple DUIs Are Different in Mississippi

Mississippi law increases penalties when you have prior DUI convictions. Prior offenses can elevate a case from a misdemeanor to a felony, increase fines, lengthen potential incarceration, and impose longer license consequences and ignition interlock requirements. Because the stakes rise with each alleged offense, early, tailored defense work is critical. See Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-30.

Common Defense Angles We Investigate

• The stop: Was there reasonable suspicion to pull you over? Evidence obtained after an unlawful stop may be suppressed.
• Field sobriety tests: Were they administered and interpreted according to accepted standards?
• Breath or blood testing: Was the device properly maintained and calibrated? Were statutory procedures followed? Was there a valid warrant or exception for any blood draw? See § 63-11-5 and § 63-11-21; see also Missouri v. McNeely and Birchfield v. North Dakota.
• Video and dispatch records: Do they corroborate the officer’s narrative?
• Prior convictions: Are earlier DUIs valid and admissible for enhancement? Do the records support enhancement, and do they meet Mississippi’s comparability requirements?
• Rising BAC and timing issues: Do the facts support a challenge to the alleged alcohol concentration at the time of driving?
• Alternative causes: Medical conditions, medications, fatigue, or environmental factors that can mimic impairment.

What’s at Risk With a Repeat DUI

Enhanced penalties for repeat DUIs can include higher fines, longer potential jail or prison exposure, extended license consequences, mandatory ignition interlock, alcohol assessment and treatment conditions, and court-ordered community service or education. A third conviction is a felony under Mississippi law, subject to statutory conditions for using prior convictions. See § 63-11-30.

Driver’s License and Ignition Interlock

Multiple DUI matters often involve both the criminal court case and separate administrative/licensing consequences through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Depending on your history and case facts, you may face a suspension or be eligible for an ignition interlock–restricted license. Requirements can include installation with an approved vendor, periodic servicing, and compliance reporting. The exact steps and timelines vary based on factors like prior offenses, refusal allegations, and court orders. See § 63-11-23 and § 63-11-31; practical guidance is available from Mississippi DPS.

How Housley Law Builds Your Defense

• Immediate case audit: We obtain police reports, videos, calibration logs, and prior court records to assess enhancement and suppression issues.
• Motion practice: We litigate stops, arrests, testing procedures, and evidentiary defects to narrow or dismiss charges.
• Expert support: When warranted, we work with toxicology and forensic experts to challenge test reliability and retrograde extrapolation.
• Negotiation and alternatives: We pursue charge reductions, dismissals, treatment-forward resolutions, and licensing pathways.
• Trial readiness: From jury selection strategy to cross-examination of intoxilyzer operators, we prepare as if your case will be tried.

Act Quickly to Protect Your Options

Mississippi DUI cases move fast. Licensing actions, ignition interlock eligibility, and court deadlines can arrive early in the process. Contact counsel promptly so we can preserve evidence, request records, and address both the criminal and licensing tracks before opportunities are lost.

Checklist: What To Do Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my prior DUI enhance this case? Possibly. The State must prove valid prior convictions that qualify for enhancement. We scrutinize those records. See § 63-11-30.

Can I get an interlock license? Eligibility depends on your history, test results or refusal, and compliance with statutory requirements. We can evaluate and guide the application process. See § 63-11-31 and DPS guidance.

Do I have to do jail time on a repeat DUI? Sentencing exposure increases with priors, but outcomes vary widely. Strong defenses, treatment engagement, and mitigation can influence results.

Can a prior from another state count? Out-of-state convictions can be used for enhancement if they are substantially similar under Mississippi law and properly proven. See § 63-11-30.

Should I plead guilty quickly to “get it over with”? Not before a full review. Many cases present legal and factual issues that can change the result.

Talk With Housley Law Today

If you’re facing a second, third, or subsequent DUI in Mississippi, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Housley Law is ready to investigate, challenge, and protect your future. Contact us for a confidential consultation.

Sources

• Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-30
• Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-23
• Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-31
• Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-5
• Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-21
• Missouri v. McNeely, 569 U.S. 141 (2013)
• Birchfield v. North Dakota, 579 U.S. 438 (2016)
• Mississippi DPS – Ignition Interlock Program

Disclaimer: This page is general information about Mississippi law and not legal advice. Laws and local practices change, and results depend on specific facts. Reading this site does not create an attorney–client relationship. Consult a licensed Mississippi attorney about your case.