If a police officer pulls you over and then arrests you for allegedly driving under the influence (DUI), you will face criminal charges. Even a first-time Mississippi DUI offense can lead to significant fines and even jail time.
Drivers also can expect to lose their license after a DUI conviction. Even a first offense of impaired driving results in 120 days of license suspension. Is there any way to protect your driving privileges after a DUI conviction?
You can request a restricted license
If you plead guilty or get convicted of a DUI, the loss of your license is usually automatic. However, it isn’t permanent. Mississippi does grant some drivers an Interlock Restricted Driver’s License. As you might guess from the name, you will have to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle as one of the conditions of retaining your driving privileges.
Every time you start your vehicle and occasionally while you drive, you will have to provide a breath sample to the test unit to show that you are sober and safe to drive. If you fail a test, you will not be able to start the vehicle, and the court will learn about the failed test.
With this restricted license, you can only operate vehicles with an IID installed in them. You could face additional consequences if you get caught intentionally tricking the test or driving a vehicle without an IID installed while you have a restricted license.
If it’s the only way you can drive legally, it’s worth exploring getting an IID. Protecting your driving privileges can help you bounce back more quickly after a DUI charge.
