Articles Posted in MS Traffic Laws

It is all too easy to let your emotions get the better of you after hitting a pedestrian in Mississippi. This can be one of the most shocking incidents a motorist can experience, and you may feel unsure of how to react. Unlike colliding with another vehicle, there is something inherently more violent and horrific about hitting a human being. Despite these nerve-wracking elements, however, it is important to react in a calm, professional manner. If you do not react carefully, you could face various criminal charges – including hit-and-run, aggravated DUI, or even manslaughter.

Pull Over

After striking a pedestrian, you should pull over as soon as possible. If you continue driving, you could be charged with leaving the scene of an accident. In the case of a serious injury or death, this can easily lead to felony charges in Mississippi. That being said, it is important to pull over in a safe location. If you need to drive a few hundred yards before pulling over, you are perfectly justified in doing so. Parking in an unsafe location will only put you in danger, especially if you are on a dark highway or blind corner. The police will not hold this against you, and it is not illegal to drive a reasonable distance in search of a safe spot.

If you have been charged with fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle, you should know that you face serious consequences. Felony charges are possible, and you could spend years in prison. However, you should also know that there are a number of viable defenses to this crime. Of course, the most optimal defense strategy will depend on your unique circumstances – but these potential defenses highlight the possibilities: 

No Reasonable Suspicion

The most obvious defense in this scenario for many defendants is the lack of reasonable suspicion. If you were not committing a crime and the police had no reason to believe that you were doing anything illegal, it may be unconstitutional for police officers to attempt to pull you over. As such, you may be legally justified in eluding or failing to stop based on the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States against unreasonable searches and seizures. MS Code § 97-9-72 (2020) specifically states that someone is only guilty of fleeing if the officer is “acting in the lawful performance of duty” and they have a “reasonable suspicion to believe that the driver in question has committed a crime.”

Armed robbery is a serious criminal offense in Mississippi, punishable by imprisonment, fines, and other penalties. If you or a loved one has been charged with armed robbery, it is crucial to act quick and seek the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney who can provide you with effective legal representation.

How Does Mississippi Define Armed Robbery?

In Mississippi, every person who feloniously takes or attempts to take from another person or entity against his will through the use of force or the threat of force, while in possession of a deadly weapon or firearm is considered to be guilty of armed robbery. The state considers this to be a serious offense that can result in significant prison time and other severe penalties.

Nationwide police reforms limiting traffic stops may contribute to a rise in dui fatalities in recent years. Since the George Floyd incident, subsequent protests and public outcry, police reform has spread to many states throughout the country. Although there is another clear reason for the increase, that being the increase in alcohol consumption during the pandemic.  However, police reform in cities like New York City and Philadelphia have insisted on policies to pull back on traffic stops for minor violations, often missing signs of an impaired driver. Https://www.foxnews.com/us/police-reforms-limiting-traffic-stops-contributed-rise-dui-fatalities-experts-say  

Philadelphia Limits Stops for Minor Traffic Violations 

Philadelphia is the first major city in the United States to ban police officers from pulling over drivers for minor traffic violations. The low-level offenses are those such as expired registration for 60 days or less, a single brake or headlight out, minor bumper damage, or using the car without an official certificate of inspection.   

By: Kevin Stewart and Lance Mixon, Law Book Co-Authors and Criminal Attorneys Near Me in the Magnolia State

Kevin StewartLance Mixon - Vic Carmody, JR.

Mississippi state laws on moving violations are primarily traffic citation and release situations. On July 1, 2017, new road laws in MS went into effect. Your driving record is now in jeopardy of being blemished by the growth of driving laws in MS. This article highlights the value of a traffic ticket lawyer near me to fight for your legal rights.

However, some of the more serious traffic ticket offenses like state of Mississippi DUI laws, Mississippi hit and run law, careless driving and reckless driving MS laws can lead to being handcuffed and taken to jail for violating serious MS motor vehicle laws.

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