Hernando, Mississippi, DUI Attorneys
Hernando, Mississippi is in the center of Desoto County, Mississippi. It is an extremely small town, with a population of just over 10,000 people. The small size of the city, however, does not exempt the city from the presence of crime, including legal issues like driving under the influence. Driving under the influence in Mississippi carries significant penalties and those penalties increase with each subsequent DUI conviction. In a small community like Hernando, Mississippi, driving under the influence is obviously not as prevalent as it would be in a larger city like Memphis, Tennessee, but residents of Hernando and the surrounding towns should still be aware the dangers of a DUI conviction.
In Mississippi, the first DUI conviction will result in up to 48 hours in jail, loss of license for up to 90 days, and fines between $250.00 and $1,000.00. Each conviction after that will result in increased penalties. If there are three or more convictions, a new DUI will result in a felony conviction. Felonies usually have to be reported every time the driver applies for a job and most companies have issues with hiring individuals who have felony convictions on their record. In addition to the fines associated with the DUI conviction, the convicted driver will also have to pay court costs associated with charge. Each court clerk will be responsible for calculating the costs, which can vary significantly.
The convicted driver will also be responsible for paying a license reinstatement fee. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety is the agency that suspends the driver’s license. For the driver to get his license back, the driver must pay a reinstatement fee to the Department of Public Safety and then wait for the Department to confirm that the driver’s record has been cleared and all fines and costs have been paid. It could take several weeks for the process to be completed, leaving the driver without driving privileges while the request for reinstatement is pending.
In a small town like Hernando, many community members depend on their vehicles as their primary means of transportation. Small towns usually do not have citywide public transit like those that exist in larger cities. Therefore, losing the privilege to drive due to a DUI conviction will significantly hinder someone who lives in smaller community like Hernando. This is just one reason why small town communities should be aware of the dangers of receiving a DUI conviction and why, if someone in the community is facing a DUI charge, he or she should contact and an experienced attorney to explain their rights.
If you, or someone you know, have been charged with DUI in Hernando or the surrounding area, you should consult with an attorney who is experienced in this area of the law. An experienced attorney will know whether it is your best interest to submit to the charges and work out a plea agreement or whether to contest the charges and go to trial. The Hernando, Mississippi DUI attorneys at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton will work hard to assist you in your defense and put you back on the road. Contact us today.