Anaya Nolan
Traffic laws are in place to ensure the safety of all road users, but what happens when these laws are broken? In Mississippi, the penalties for breaking traffic laws vary depending on the severity of the violation and the number of prior convictions. Mississippi does not use a point system like many other states, but that doesn't mean there aren't consequences for traffic violations. So, what exactly are the penalties for breaking traffic laws in Mississippi, and how can drivers protect their driving records?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Traffic violations | Failing to obey the speed limit, reckless driving, not wearing a seat belt, drunk driving, distracted driving, violating right-of-way, disobeying traffic-control signs, violating child safety seat laws, failing to purchase car insurance, throwing objects from a vehicle, making unlawful turns, and improperly registering a vehicle. |
| Penalty for misdemeanors | A fine of up to $100 or imprisonment for up to 10 days for the first conviction; a fine of up to $200 or imprisonment for up to 20 days, or both, for a second conviction within a year; a fine of up to $500 or imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both, for a third or subsequent conviction within a year. |
| Penalty for felonies | Incarceration and stiff fines. All penalties are outlined in the criminal or traffic laws of the state and considered by a judge according to the seriousness of the crime and whether it is the individual's first, second, third, or repeat offense. |
| Penalty for traffic infractions | A fine imposed by the courts. Offenders may also lose their driving privileges and have their licenses suspended or revoked. |
| Penalty for speeding | A fine, administrative fees, court costs, and increased insurance rates. The cost of a speeding violation will generally be between $150 and $300. |
| Penalty for drag racing | A fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both. |
| Penalty for careless driving | A fine of not less than $5 or more than $50. |
| Penalty for driving without a valid license | A fine of not above $500, imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. |
| Penalty for driving with a suspended or revoked license | A suspended license can be reinstated by paying a $100 fee. A revoked license is terminated for an extended period, usually for at least one year. |
What You'll Learn
Fines and penalties for traffic violations
Mississippi does not use a points system for traffic violations. Instead, each subsequent traffic violation will carry harsher penalties, including the possibility of a suspended or revoked license. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) differentiates between a suspended and revoked license. A suspended license is a temporary removal of driving privileges, while a revoked license means that driving privileges have been terminated for an extended period, typically at least one year.
The penalties for traffic violations in Mississippi vary depending on the severity of the offence and the number of previous convictions. Fines for misdemeanours can range from $5 to $500, and jail time can be up to six months. Fines for infractions are typically lower, and offenders generally do not face jail time. Examples of misdemeanour traffic violations in Mississippi include:
- Drag racing on public roads
- Damage to road construction equipment
- Driving without a valid license
- Driving with a suspended or revoked license
- Meeting or overtaking a school bus
More serious traffic violations, such as accidents resulting in personal injury or death, vehicular manslaughter, or driving under the influence, are considered felonies and carry stiffer penalties, including incarceration and substantial fines.
In addition to fines and jail time, individuals charged with misdemeanours or felonies may also face other punishments such as loss of driving privileges, community service, and increased insurance rates.
Speeding violations in Mississippi can result in a fine, administrative fees, court costs, and increased insurance rates. The cost of a speeding ticket depends on the location of the violation and the speed exceeded, typically ranging from $150 to $300. Speeding in certain areas, such as construction zones, can result in significantly higher fines, especially for second or subsequent offences.
It is important to note that individuals charged with a traffic violation in Mississippi have the option to fight the ticket and protect their driving record by consulting with a criminal defence attorney.
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Misdemeanours and felonies
In Mississippi, traffic violations can be classified as infractions, misdemeanours, or felonies. Misdemeanours and felonies are criminal offences, with felonies being more serious and carrying harsher penalties.
Misdemeanours are criminal offences that involve damage to property or harm to an individual, or the threat of it. They are punished with fines and/or jail time. According to Mississippi Code § 63-9-11, the penalties for misdemeanours are as follows:
- First conviction: a fine of up to $100, or imprisonment of up to 10 days, or both.
- Second conviction within a year: a fine of up to $200, or imprisonment of up to 20 days, or both.
- Third or subsequent conviction within a year: a fine of up to $500, or imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both.
Examples of traffic misdemeanours in Mississippi include:
- Drag racing on public roads.
- Damaging road construction equipment.
- Driving without a valid license.
- Driving while your license is suspended or revoked.
- Meeting or overtaking a school bus.
- Reckless driving.
- Failing to wear a seat belt.
- Violating right-of-way.
- Disobeying traffic-control signs.
- Violating child safety seat laws.
- Failing to purchase car insurance.
- Throwing any substance likely to injure any person, animal, or vehicle on a highway.
- Making unlawful turns.
- Registering the vehicle improperly.
Felonies, on the other hand, are more serious criminal acts that violate the state's rules of the road. Offenders are required to appear in court on a scheduled date to answer for the charges. Felonies are penalised with incarceration and stiff fines, and the specific penalties are outlined in the criminal or traffic laws of the state. The judge considers the seriousness of the crime and whether it is the individual's first, second, third, or repeat offence.
Examples of felony traffic violations in Mississippi include:
- Accidents resulting in personal injury, death, or permanent disfigurement of another party.
- Vehicular manslaughter.
- Driving under the influence (third, fourth, and subsequent convictions).
- Racing on the highway (third and subsequent convictions).
- Other repeat misdemeanor offences.
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Traffic misdemeanours
Mississippi does not employ a points system, but each subsequent traffic violation will carry harsher penalties, including the suspension of a driver's licence. An accumulation of convicted traffic violations within a 12-month period could result in a licence suspension. If a traffic violation is compounded with a previous criminal record, the chances of a licence suspension increase dramatically.
Mississippi statutes recognise the following acts as unlawful and subject to penalty:
- Refusing to comply with a lawful order from a police officer
- Failing to wear a seat belt
- Violating right-of-way
- Disobeying traffic-control signs
- Reckless driving
- Violating child safety seat laws
- Failing to purchase car insurance
- Operating a vehicle with an obstructed view
- Throwing any glass bottle, glass, nails, tacks, wire, cans, or any other substance likely to injure any person, animal, or vehicle on a highway
- Making unlawful turns
- Registering a vehicle improperly
- Drag racing on public roads
- Damage to road construction equipment
- Driving without a valid licence
- Driving while a licence is suspended or revoked
- Meeting or overtaking a school bus
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Traffic infractions
Traffic violations in Mississippi range from misdemeanours to felonies, with penalties varying from fines to jail time. Mississippi does not use a points system like many other states, but instead, each subsequent traffic violation will carry harsher penalties.
Misdemeanours
Misdemeanours are criminal acts that involve damage to property or harm to an individual. Misdemeanours are penalised with fines and/or jail time. Under Mississippi law, a misdemeanour may be punished with a fine not above $500, or jail time not above six months, or both. However, this may vary for certain convictions, such as drag racing on public roads, for which the fine is above $500 but not more than $1,000.
Examples of misdemeanours in Mississippi include:
- Drag racing on public roads
- Damage to road construction equipment
- Driving without a valid license
- Driving while your license is suspended or revoked
- Meeting or overtaking a school bus
Felonies
Felonies are criminal acts that violate the state's rules of the road and require offenders to appear in court. Felonies are punished with incarceration and stiff fines.
Examples of felony traffic violations in Mississippi include:
- Accidents resulting in personal injury, death, or permanent disfigurement of another party
- Vehicular manslaughter
- Driving under the influence (3rd, 4th, and subsequent convictions)
- Racing on the highway (3rd and subsequent convictions)
- Repeat misdemeanour offences
Infractions
Infractions are non-criminal or civil violations such as running a red light or failing to wear a seatbelt. Infractions are generally settled by paying a fine, without the need for a court appearance, unless the offender chooses to contest the charge.
Other examples of infractions in Mississippi include:
- Right-of-way violations
- Unlawful turns or U-turns
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Reckless driving
Mississippi's vehicle code defines reckless driving as "driving in a manner that endangers or would be likely to endanger any person or property." This includes driving at an excessive speed, failing to yield the right of way, running red lights or stop signs, making unsafe lane changes, and following too closely.
In addition to the legal penalties, reckless driving can also result in civil lawsuits if it causes injury or damage to others. Injured parties may seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages incurred.
Mississippi takes reckless driving seriously, and offenders can face severe consequences, including fines, jail time, license suspension, and increased insurance rates.
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Frequently asked questions
The penalty for breaking traffic laws in Mississippi varies depending on the severity of the violation and the number of previous convictions. Minor violations, such as failing to wear a seatbelt, typically result in a fine, while more serious violations, such as reckless driving or driving under the influence, can lead to jail time, license suspension, or revocation. Mississippi does not use a points system, but each subsequent traffic violation will carry harsher penalties.
Speeding in Mississippi can result in a ticket, a reckless driving charge, or even vehicular homicide if the speeding leads to a fatal accident. The cost of a speeding ticket depends on the location and the speed exceeded but typically ranges from $150 to $300. Speeding violations can also lead to increased insurance rates and, in some cases, license suspension or revocation.
Multiple traffic violations in Mississippi can result in the suspension or revocation of your driver's license. The exact penalties depend on the type of violation, the number of previous convictions, and the driver's record and license type. Mississippi law also imposes harsher penalties for subsequent convictions within a 12-month period.
In Mississippi, misdemeanors are punishable by a fine of up to $500, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Felonies, on the other hand, carry more severe penalties, including incarceration and stiff fines. Felony traffic violations require offenders to appear in court and are penalized with incarceration and fines.
