The Mississippi Code provides for the non-adjudication of first offense DUI as follows:

(c) Nonadjudication may be initiated upon the filing of a petition for nonadjudication or at any stage of the proceedings before conviction in the discretion of the court; the court may withhold adjudication of guilt, defer sentencing, and enter an order imposing requirements on the offender.
(i) The court shall order the person to:
1. Pay the nonadjudication fee imposed under Section 63-11-31;
2. Pay all fines, penalties and assessments that would have been imposed for conviction;
3. Attend and complete an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32;
4. Install an ignition interlock device on every motor vehicle driven by the person, obtain an interlock restricted license, and maintain that license for one hundred twenty (120) days; failure to obtain an interlock restricted license will result in a ninety-day driver’s license suspension pursuant to Section 63-11-31; and
5. Obtain from the interlock vendor proof that the person has not had violations of an ignition interlock device.
(ii) Other conditions to be imposed by the court may include, but are not limited to, alcohol or drug screening, or both, proof that the person has not committed any other traffic violations while under court supervision, proof of immobilization or impoundment of vehicles owned by the offender if required, and attendance at a victim-impact panel.
(d) The court may enter an order of nonadjudication only if the court finds, after a hearing, that the offender has successfully completed all conditions imposed by law and the court.
(e) The clerk shall forward a record of every nonadjudicated case to the Department of Public Safety which shall maintain a confidential registry of all cases that are nonadjudicated as provided in this subsection (14). Judges and prosecutors involved in the trial of implied consent violations shall have access to the confidential registry for the purpose of determining whether a person has previously been the subject of a nonadjudicated case and is therefore ineligible for another nonadjudication. The Driver Services Bureau of the department shall have access to the confidential registry for the purpose of determining whether a person is eligible for a form of license not restricted to operating a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device.

If found guilty of a third or subsequent driving under the influence charge, the following sentences and penalties are applied:

  • fine of not less than $2000.00, nor more than $5000.00 (plus court costs)
  • imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five years
  • suspension of driver’s license and driving privileges for five years (no possibility of hardship license)
  • vehicle seizure and possible forfeiture
  • ignition interlock following license reinstatement

If you are charged with a 3rd offense DUI, you will be able to drive only under a restricted interlock ignition driver’s license for 3 years following your release from incarceration. You will then be ineligible for an unrestricted license for 3 years.
Also, a person convicted of a 2nd or subsequent violation shall receive an in-depth
diagnostic assessment.  If it is determined that the defendant has a drug/alcohol problem, he will be required to complete an approved treatment program.

Mississippi Statute Annotated § 63-11-49 holds that when a vehicle is seized for a third or subsequent DUI, the arresting officer shall impound the vehicle and the vehicle shall be held as evidence until a court of competent jurisdiction makes a final disposition of the case and the vehicle may be forfeited by the administrative forfeiture procedures provided for in this section upon final disposition as provided in Section 63-11-30(2)(c) .

Within thirty days of such an arrest, the person charged may petition the court for the return of the vehicle.