Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol in Mississippi is a crime that is taken very seriously. However, because many charged individuals are able to overcome a DUI charge without going to jail, the charge may not be taken as seriously as another criminal charge, such as those relating to controlled substances. In Mississippi, as in many other states, a DUI conviction cannot be expunged from you record. This is something that should be taken into consideration when speaking with a Mississippi DUI Defense Attorney. Having a blemished criminal record can haunt you for years to come. Thus, it is important that you fight your DUI charge early on and do so with the assistance of a highly skilled and seasoned Jackson, Mississippi DUI Defense Attorney. At Turk Law Firm, PLLC, Lindsey McGee Turk helps clients fight DUI charges on a regular basis, and can provide you with the same outstanding representation.
DUI Law in Mississippi
Under Mississippi law, there are a variety of DUI-related crimes that can have serious consequences. The severity of a DUI charge is dependent upon the particular facts of the charge, whether or not the charge is a first offense, and whether or not an accident was involved, among other factors. Such DUI charges include, but may not be limited to, the following:
- First DUI offense;
- Repeated DUI offense;
- Underage DUI offense;
- DUI offense involving bodily harm to another person and/or other accidents; and
- DUI offense involving an expired and/or suspended driver’s license.
Because there are a variety of ways in which an individual may be charged and convicted of a DUI, it is essential that you consult with a Mississippi DUI Defense Attorney who can evaluate each and every fact of your case. For example, if you are charged with a DUI and this would be your first offense if convicted, your attorney should be able to reach a reasonable result that will allow you to drive in the future and avoid jail time. However, if you were charged with a DUI, and an accident resulted that injured another person, your case may be much more complicated and the consequences could be harsher.
At Turk Law Firm, PLLC, we understand that a DUI charge can leave you feeling uncertain, and you could be facing jail time or the loss of your driver’s license. Lindsey McGee Turk will provide you with the guidance you need to address your DUI charge and overcome the consequences. In criminal law, there is never a guarantee that a charge will be dismissed or that the accused will be found not guilty. What can be controlled is how you approach the DUI charge. Lindsey McGee Turk will explain what options would work best for your particular DUI charge. Perhaps seeking dismissal is the right step to take, or maybe seeking to negotiate your DUI charge to a lesser offense is a better option.
Consequences of a DUI Conviction in Mississippi
If convicted of a DUI, you face potential jail time, hefty fines, and the suspension and/or loss of your driver’s license. As such, you should take all steps possible to fight your DUI charge with the help of a qualified Jackson, Mississippi DUI Defense Attorney. Lindsey McGee Turk does everything in her power to minimize the severity of the consequences that may result from a DUI conviction. Depending on how serious your individual DUI charge is, the potential consequences may be harsher for you than for someone else and vice versa. With the help of Turk Law Firm, PLLC, you will know right away what you are dealing with and the chances you have for reaching a result that will allow you to go on with your life after the criminal proceeding is complete.
In addition to potentially serving jail time or paying hefty fines, if you are convicted of a DUI, your criminal record will reveal this conviction to employers, educational institutions, or landlords who run a background check on you. While some employers, educational institutions, or landlords will not use your DUI conviction as a reason to deny you a job, admission to a college or university, or to deny you the opportunity to rent an apartment or home, you will still have a scar on your criminal record that follows you for years to come, and the stigma of this can certainly take an emotional toll.
Grounds for Having Your DUI Charge Dismissed in Mississippi
The first thing that Lindsey McGee Turk will do when evaluating your DUI charge is to determine whether or not there are grounds for having your DUI charge dismissed. When law enforcement officials take steps that violate your constitutional rights, such as failure to read you your Miranda rights upon arrest, any evidence tending to prove your guilt may be deemed inadmissible by the court. If the evidence is inadmissible, then there is no evidence left to find you guilty. Constitutional rights are at the forefront of any criminal proceeding, and Lindsey McGee Turk will ask that certain evidence be suppressed in your DUI case if there is any indication that such evidence was obtained in violation of your constitutional rights.
Further, your DUI charge may be dismissed if there is insufficient evidence, or a lack of probable cause to show that you committed the offense. This includes evidence obtained as part of a field sobriety test, such as observation of your conduct, and the imposition of a Breathalyzer test. While Breathalyzer tests can generate accurate results, they have also been found to generate very inaccurate results. As such, if there is very little evidence to support a finding of guilt, Lindsey McGee Turk may seek to have your DUI charge dismissed, especially if there is contrary evidence that shows you were not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If there is no legitimate way to have your DUI charge dismissed, Lindsey McGee Turk will seek to have your DUI offense lowered to a lesser offense that does not carry the same potentially harsh consequences. Oftentimes, when negotiating with prosecutors, evidence about the accused individual’s employment, family situation, and moral character are very important factors to consider. If you are otherwise a solid citizen, and you happened to make one mistake by driving under the influence, your prior good behavior may help you avoid jail time or being convicted of a DUI.
Contact Turk Law Firm, PLLC Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation
If you have been charged with a DUI, you need to know what options you have for resolving the matter. In order to ensure that you are receiving the best DUI defense representation possible, you should consider speaking with a Mississippi DUI Defense Attorney right away to increase your chances of a quick resolution. At Turk Law Firm, PLLC, Lindsey McGee Turk will utilize all resources available to help you move on with as little harm as possible to your criminal record. Lindsey McGee Turk takes pride in helping her clients face all types of DUI charges and overcome them in the most reasonable possible. It is important to remember that no two cases are exactly alike, and each client deserves one-on-one attention to ensure the representation provided is the best for any given situation. To schedule a free consultation with Lindsey McGee Turk to discuss your DUI charge, contact Turk Law Firm, PLLC as soon as possible by calling (601) 214-1471.
