Hiring a DUI Lawyer in Mississippi

What a first DUI can cost in Mississippi, how criminal lawyers charge, your right to a public defender, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.

What a lawyer costs in Mississippi: fee rules

Rules on contingency fees	Contingent fees are allowed except where Rule 1.5(d) or other law prohibits them. The agreement must be in writing and state how the fee is figured, including percentages on settlement, trial or appeal, the litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery, and whether expenses come out before or after the fee is calculated. At the end, the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and the client's share. Contingent fees are banned for criminal defendants and for domestic relations fees contingent on a divorce or the amount of alimony, support or property settlement. Source: Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5(c)-(d)
If you disagree with a lawyer's bill	The Mississippi Bar's Fee Dispute Resolution Committee offers free mediation or arbitration of fee disagreements between clients and lawyers (and between lawyers). It is voluntary: each side must separately agree, and the consent form must be returned within 15 days or the matter is closed. Mediation is non-binding unless the parties sign an agreement (enforceable in court); arbitration produces a decision binding on both sides. Fee disputes involving a rule violation go through the grievance process instead. Source: The Mississippi Bar, Fee Disputes

Rules on contingency fees

Contingent fees are allowed except where Rule 1.5(d) or other law prohibits them. The agreement must be in writing and state how the fee is figured, including percentages on settlement, trial or appeal, the litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery, and whether expenses come out before or after the fee is calculated. At the end, the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and the client's share. Contingent fees are banned for criminal defendants and for domestic relations fees contingent on a divorce or the amount of alimony, support or property settlement.

Source: Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5(c)-(d)

If you disagree with a lawyer's bill

The Mississippi Bar's Fee Dispute Resolution Committee offers free mediation or arbitration of fee disagreements between clients and lawyers (and between lawyers). It is voluntary: each side must separately agree, and the consent form must be returned within 15 days or the matter is closed. Mediation is non-binding unless the parties sign an agreement (enforceable in court); arbitration produces a decision binding on both sides. Fee disputes involving a rule violation go through the grievance process instead.

Source: The Mississippi Bar, Fee Disputes

Mississippi rules to know first

First-offense DUI penalties	First DUI: fine of $250 to $1,000, up to 48 hours in jail, or both, plus completion of an alcohol safety education program (MASEP) within six months; the court may substitute a victim impact panel for the 48 hours in jail. A qualifying first offense may be non-adjudicated (once only, and not for CDL/CLP holders). The regular license is suspended for 120 days unless the court orders an ignition interlock-restricted license for the 120 days; proof of insurance for three years is also required. Suspensions start 21 days after the court order. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-30(2)(a); Mississippi DPS, DUI Department
Refusing a breath test	Refusing a breath, blood or urine test results in a 90-day suspension of a regular (Class R) license, or 1 year if the person has a prior DUI conviction or non-adjudication. A court may instead order an ignition interlock-restricted license. Separately, the temporary permit given at arrest is valid for 30 days; if the driver does not get a court order extending it, the license is suspended for 90 days. Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-23; Mississippi DPS, DUI Department
Hardship license	The Driver Service Bureau does not issue hardship licenses for drivers affected by DUI. Instead, a court may order an ignition interlock-restricted license, which lets the driver keep driving a vehicle with an interlock device in place of a suspension (fees: $56 license, $175 installation verification). Source: Mississippi DPS Driver Service Bureau, Frequently Asked Questions (Aug. 2025); DUI Department

Full Mississippi guide

Find and check a lawyer

Lawyer referral service	The Mississippi Bar does not run a lawyer referral service; its Consumer Assistance Program "does not maintain referral lists of Mississippi attorneys" and cannot recommend a specific attorney. The Bar offers an online Find a Lawyer directory of Mississippi attorneys (msbar.reliaguide.com) and a How to Select a Lawyer guide; the Consumer Assistance Program, (601) 948-2344, can suggest websites for locating an attorney. Source: The Mississippi Bar, Client Assistance FAQ
Check that the lawyer is licensed	The Mississippi Bar's Office of General Counsel, at (601) 948-0568, can confirm a Mississippi lawyer's current status and whether the lawyer has received public discipline (public reprimand, suspension or disbarment). Other information cannot be released without the lawyer's signed release. Source: The Mississippi Bar, Lawyer Complaints & Discipline
Check discipline history or file a complaint	To file a grievance against a Mississippi lawyer, first contact the Mississippi Bar's Consumer Assistance Program at (601) 948-2344 (weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) or PO Box 2168, Jackson, MS 39225-2168. If warranted, CAP sends a grievance form to complete and return to the Bar's Office of General Counsel. Grievances generally must be filed within three years after discovering the misconduct, except those involving dishonesty or mishandling of funds. The Committee on Professional Responsibility meets four times a year and notifies you in writing within a month of its decision; outcomes include informal admonition, private or public reprimand, or a formal complaint to the Supreme Court. Complainants cannot appeal or withdraw a grievance. Public discipline can be confirmed by calling the Office of General Counsel at (601) 948-0568. Source: The Mississippi Bar, Lawyer Complaints & Discipline

Free legal help

Free legal aid	Mississippi's LSC-funded legal aid organizations give free civil legal help to eligible low-income people: Mississippi Center for Legal Services (43 counties in South Mississippi) and North Mississippi Rural Legal Services (39 counties in North Mississippi), both reachable at 1-800-498-1804; most programs require income below 125% of the federal poverty level. The Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project (601-960-9577) offers volunteer attorney referrals and clinics, and Mission First Legal Aid Office (601-608-0056) serves Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees Source: The Mississippi Bar, Client Assistance FAQ; Legal Services Corporation, Our Grantees

Free legal aid

Mississippi's LSC-funded legal aid organizations give free civil legal help to eligible low-income people: Mississippi Center for Legal Services (43 counties in South Mississippi) and North Mississippi Rural Legal Services (39 counties in North Mississippi), both reachable at 1-800-498-1804; most programs require income below 125% of the federal poverty level. The Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project (601-960-9577) offers volunteer attorney referrals and clinics, and Mission First Legal Aid Office (601-608-0056) serves Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties.

LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees

Source: The Mississippi Bar, Client Assistance FAQ; Legal Services Corporation, Our Grantees

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.