Madison County, Mississippi DUI Attorney

Charges of drunk driving in Mississippi are typically applied when a motorist has a blood alcohol content at or above .08%, or when operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other substance that impairs the ability to drive. Lower limits apply to commercial drivers and those under the age of 21. Mississippi DUI law covers alcohol as well as impairment from prescription and illegal drugs.

A DUI in MS can include immediate penalties and long-term consequences. It is not an offense to be ignored. You should be concerned about keeping your arrest record clear and protecting your future.

Madison County Mississippi DUI Lawyer Clarence Guthrie with The Guthrie Firm understands that an arrest does not mean you are guilty. You have the right to challenge the charges filed against you and are entitled to an aggressive and appropriate defense. The Guthrie Firm will investigate the specifics of your arrest and seek the best possible result.

Madison County DUI Attorney Clarence Guthrie will review your case and offer legal options during a free initial consultation. Time is important, so for the best result, call (601) 991-1099 or fill out the form to the left. Your inquiry will be answered promptly.

Even a first offense for driving under the influence in Mississippi can lead to serious fines, a jail sentence, license suspension, completion of an alcohol safety program and required attendance at a victim impact panel.

Additional DUI convictions within a 5-year period can increase the penalties to include longer jail time, higher fines and community service. A third offense is filed as a felony, which may result in the forfeiture of your vehicle.

The sanctions applied to your license vary, depending on the specifics of your arrest. Mississippi has an Implied Consent Law, which states that when you are issued a driver's license to operate a vehicle in the state you agree to be tested for intoxication at the request of a law enforcement officer. Refusal to submit to a breath, blood or urine test can lead to the suspension of your license for 90 days. The duration jumps to one year if you have a prior DUI conviction or test refusal on your record. After a third offense, the license suspension is for five years.

If you took a breath test and registered a blood alcohol content at or above the legal threshold of .08%, your license may be suspended. This is a separate action from the criminal DUI case.

You have the right to petition the Department of Public Safety for a Refusal Hearing and try to save your driving privileges. Time though is limited. You must file a test refusal petition within 10 days after the DPS mails you a notice of intent to suspend.

To learn more about your license and its possible suspension, contact Canton DUI Lawyer Clarence Guthrie with The Guthrie Firm, PLLC.

Clarence Guthrie, principal of The Guthrie Firm, PLLC, practices criminal law in the state of Mississippi. He is an accomplished trial lawyer with over ten years of litigation experience at the trial and appellate court levels. Clarence Guthrie is a former United States Marine prosecutor and now criminal defense counsel. If you become a client, Clarence Guthrie will treat you as he did his Marines - with respect, fairness and a sincere concern for your best interest.

With experience as both prosecutor and defense counsel, Attorney Guthrie has a unique understanding of how to best approach a case.

Madison County Mississippi DUI Attorney Clarence Guthrie earned a juris doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of National Security Law, a Legal Research & Writing Instructor, a member of the National Moot Court Competition Team and a member of the National Appellate Advocacy Competition Team. He is admitted to practice law before state courts in Mississippi and Alabama, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi and all Military Courts.

Lawyer Clarence Guthrie is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar, the Mississippi Association for Justice, the Hinds County Bar Association, the Madison County Bar Association, the Mississippi Public Defenders Association and the National Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.

Clarence Guthrie continues to develop his legal skills through regular attendance of DUI related seminars and conferences, and he has written numerous legal publications.

Madison County DUI Lawyer Clarence Guthrie looks forward to talking with you directly and working to resolve your legal dilemma. To get no-nonsense advice on your DUI, fill out the consultation request form to the left or call (601) 991-1099. Time is of the essence, so get Attorney Clarence Guthrie involved as quickly as possible for the best results.