Bill > HB388

This bill amends Mississippi's driving under the influence (DUI) law to provide judicial discretion in increasing fines and penalties for DUI offenses. Specifically, the bill adds language that allows courts to increase the penalties and fines listed in the existing DUI statute, with the requirement that the reasons for such increases must be explicitly stated in the court's order. The amendment applies to various DUI offense levels, including first-time offenses, repeat offenses, and special circumstances like underage drinking and driving. While the existing law already outlines specific fine ranges and penalties for different DUI scenarios (such as first-time offenses ranging from $250-$1,000 or up to 48 hours in jail), this new provision gives judges more flexibility to impose higher penalties within those ranges. The bill does not fundamentally change the structure of DUI penalties but provides judges with additional discretion to impose more severe consequences based on the specific circumstances of each case. The amendment will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving courts and legal systems time to prepare for the implementation of this new judicial discretionary power.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0388.xml