A prior DUI conviction typically means a previous case where a court entered a judgment of guilt or equivalent disposition that qualifies under Mississippi law. The court will examine whether the prior resulted in a formal conviction, if it occurred within relevant statutory timeframes, and whether it remains valid or was vacated. Certified records from the jurisdiction where the prior occurred are often required to confirm its status and determine if it can enhance penalties in a new DUI charge in Ellisville. Because the legal status of past cases affects sentencing and administrative outcomes, gathering and reviewing those records promptly is important. Some prior dispositions may not qualify due to procedural defects or differences in how other states record convictions, so careful analysis can sometimes prevent a prior from triggering enhanced penalties in Jones County.