2014 Mississippi Code
Title 63 - MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
Chapter 11 - IMPLIED CONSENT LAW
§ 63-11-31 - Interlock restricted license; ignition interlock device; impoundment or immobilization of vehicles; use of Interlock Device Fund to offset cost of device installation and operation by indigent offenders; reinstatement of license without interlock restriction

[Until October 1, 2014, this section shall read:]

(1) In addition to the penalties authorized for any second or subsequent convictions of Section 63-11-30, the court shall order either the impoundment or immobilization of all vehicles registered to the person convicted for the entire length of license suspension to commence upon conviction and persist during the entire driver's license suspension period. However, a county, municipality, sheriff's department or the Department of Public Safety shall not be required to keep, store, maintain, serve as a bailee or otherwise exercise custody over a motor vehicle impounded under the provisions of this section.

(2) (a) If other licensed drivers living in the household are dependent upon the vehicle subject to impoundment or immobilization for necessary transportation, the court may order the installation of an ignition interlock system on the vehicle in lieu of impoundment or immobilization. Additionally, the court shall order the installation of an ignition interlock system on all vehicles registered to the person for a minimum period of six (6) months to occur upon reinstatement of the person's driver's license if the court determines it is a vehicle to which the person has access and which should be subject to ignition interlock. The cost associated with impoundment, immobilization or ignition interlock shall be paid by the person convicted. For the purpose of this section, "ignition interlock device" means a device which connects a motor vehicle ignition system to a breath-alcohol analyzer and prevents a motor vehicle ignition from starting if the driver's blood alcohol level exceeds the calibrated setting on the device.

(b) A person may not tamper with, or in any way attempt to circumvent the immobilization or impoundment of vehicles ordered by the court. A violation of this paragraph (b) is a misdemeanor and upon conviction the violator shall be fined an amount not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($ 250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($ 1,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than one (1) year or both.

(c) When a court orders a person to operate only a motor vehicle which is equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device, the court shall establish a specific calibration setting no lower than two one-hundredths percent (.02%) nor more than four one-hundredths percent (.04%) blood alcohol concentration at which the ignition interlock device will prevent the motor vehicle from being started.

(d) Upon ordering use of an ignition interlock device, the court shall:

(i) State on the record the requirement for and the period of use of the device, and so notify the Department of Public Safety;

(ii) Direct that the records of the department reflect that the person may not operate a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock device;

(iii) Direct the department to attach or imprint a notation on the driver's license of any person restricted under this section stating that the person may operate only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device;

(iv) Require proof of the installation of the device and periodic reporting by the person for verification of the proper operation of the device;

(v) Require the person to have the system monitored for proper use and accuracy by an entity approved by the department at least semiannually, or more frequently as the circumstances may require;

(vi) Require the person to pay the reasonable cost of leasing or buying, monitoring, and maintaining the device, and may establish a payment schedule therefore.

(e) (i) 1. A person prohibited under this section from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock device may not solicit or have another person attempt to start or start a motor vehicle equipped with such a device.

2. A person may not attempt to start or start a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device for the purpose of providing an operable motor vehicle to a person who is prohibited under this section from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock device.

3. A person may not tamper with, or in any way attempt to circumvent, the operation of an ignition interlock device that has been installed in a motor vehicle.

4. A person may not knowingly provide a motor vehicle not equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device to another person who the provider of such vehicle knows or should know is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock device.

(ii) A violation of this paragraph (e) is a misdemeanor and upon conviction the violator shall be fined an amount not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($ 250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($ 1,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than one (1) year, or both.

(iii) A person shall not be in violation of this paragraph (e) if:

1. The starting of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device is done for the purpose of safety or mechanical repair of the device or the vehicle, and the person subject to the court order does not operate the vehicle; or

2. The court finds that a person is required to operate a motor vehicle in the course and scope of the person's employment. If the vehicle is owned by the person's employer, the person may operate that vehicle during regular working hours for the purposes of employment without installation of an ignition interlock device if the employer has been notified of such driving privilege restriction and if proof of that notification is kept with the vehicle at all times. This employment exemption does not apply if the business entity that owns the vehicle is owned or controlled by the person who is prohibited from operating the motor vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock device.

(f) (i) A judge may also order that the vehicle owned or operated by a person or a family member of any person who committed a violation of Section 63-11-30 be equipped with an ignition interlock device for all or a portion of the time the driver's license of the operator of such vehicle is suspended or restricted pursuant to this section, if:

1. The operator of the vehicle used to violate Section 63-11-30 has at least one (1) prior conviction for driving a motor vehicle when such person's privilege to do so is cancelled, suspended or revoked as provided by Section 63-11-30; or

2. The driver's license of the operator of such vehicle was cancelled, suspended or revoked at the time of the violation of Section 63-11-30.

(ii) The provisions of this paragraph (f) shall not apply if the vehicle used to commit the violation of Section 63-11-30, was, at the time of such violation, rented or stolen.

(3) The provisions of this section are supplemental to the provisions of Section 63-11-30.

[From and after October 1, 2014, this section shall read:]

(1) (a) The provisions of this section are supplemental to the provisions of Section 63-11-30.

(b) (i) "Ignition interlock device" means a device approved by the Department of Public Safety that connects a motor vehicle ignition system to a breath-alcohol analyzer and prevents a motor vehicle ignition from starting if the driver's blood alcohol level exceeds the calibrated setting on the device.

(ii) "Interlock restricted license" means a driver's license bearing a restriction that limits the person to operation of vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device.

(c) A person who can exercise the privilege of driving only under an interlock restricted license:

(i) Must have an ignition interlock device installed and operating on all motor vehicles driven by the person; or

(ii) If the person does not obtain an interlock restricted license within fifteen (15) days after the department receives the court abstract of a conviction or other order affecting the person's privilege to drive under Section 63-11-30:

1. The Department of Public Safety must suspend the person's driving privilege; notice of the suspension shall be given as provided in Section 63-1-52; and

2. For a second or subsequent violation of Section 63-11-30, all motor vehicles owned by the person must be either impounded or immobilized as provided in subsection (6) of this section.

(d) A person who installs an ignition interlock device and obtains an interlock restricted license before conviction or nonadjudication shall be given credit for the time period the ignition interlock device has been in use at the time of sentencing or nonadjudication.

(2) (a) The cost of installation and operation of an ignition interlock device shall be borne by the person to whom an interlock-restricted driver's license is issued unless the person is determined to be indigent.

(b) (i) A person convicted under Section 63-11-30 shall be assessed by the court, in addition to the criminal fines, penalties and assessments provided by law for violations of Section 63-11-30, a fee of Fifty Dollars ($ 50.00), to be deposited in the Interlock Device Fund in the State Treasury.

(ii) A person nonadjudicated under Section 63-11-30 shall be assessed by the court, in addition to the criminal fines, penalties and assessments provided by law for violations of Section 63-11-30, a fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($ 250.00) to be deposited in the Interlock Device Fund in the State Treasury.

(3) (a) The Department of Public Safety shall promulgate rules and regulations for the use of an ignition interlock device. The Department of Public Safety shall approve which vendors shall be used to furnish the systems, may assess fees to the vendors, and shall prescribe the maximum costs to the offender for installation, removal, monthly operation, periodic inspections, calibrations and repairs.

(b) A person who has an ignition interlock device installed in a vehicle shall:

(i) Provide proof of the installation of the device and periodic reporting for verification of the proper operation of the device;

(ii) Have the system monitored for proper use and accuracy as required by departmental regulation;

(iii) Pay the reasonable cost of leasing or buying, monitoring, and maintaining the device unless the person is determined to be indigent.

(4) (a) (i) A person who is limited to driving only under an interlock-restricted driver's license shall not operate a vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock device.

(ii) A person prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock device may not solicit or have another person attempt to start or start a motor vehicle equipped with such a device.

(iii) A person may not start or attempt to start a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device for the purpose of providing an operable motor vehicle to a person who is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock device.

(iv) A person may not tamper with, or in any way attempt to circumvent, the operation of an ignition interlock device that has been installed in a motor vehicle.

(v) A person may not knowingly provide a motor vehicle not equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device to another person who the provider of the vehicle knows or should know is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock device.

(b) A violation of this subsection (4) is a misdemeanor and upon conviction the violator shall be fined an amount not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($ 250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($ 1,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than one (1) year, or both, unless the starting of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device is done for the purpose of safety or mechanical repair of the device or the vehicle, and the person subject to the restriction does not operate the vehicle.

(5) (a) In order to obtain an interlock restricted license, a person must:

(i) Be otherwise qualified to operate a motor vehicle, and will be subject to all other restrictions on the privilege to drive provided by law;

(ii) Submit proof that an ignition interlock device is installed and operating on all motor vehicles driven by the person; and

(iii) Pay the fee set forth in Section 63-1-43 to obtain the license.

(b) (i) If the person's privilege to drive has been suspended due to the person's violation of Section 63-11-30, the person must also pay the reinstatement fee set forth in Section 63-1-46(2)(a).

(ii) If the person obtains an interlock restricted license before suspension of the driving privilege is imposed, the reinstatement fee will not be assessed.

(6) (a) In addition to the penalties authorized for any second or subsequent conviction under Section 63-11-30, the court shall order that all vehicles owned by the offender that are not equipped with an ignition interlock device must be either impounded or immobilized pending further order of the court lifting the offender's driving restriction. However, no county, municipality, sheriff's department or the Department of Public Safety shall be required to keep, store, maintain, serve as a bailee or otherwise exercise custody over a motor vehicle impounded under the provisions of this section. The cost associated with any impoundment or immobilization shall be paid by the person convicted without regard to ability to pay.

(b) A person may not tamper with, or in any way attempt to circumvent, vehicle immobilization or impoundment ordered by the court under this section. A violation of this paragraph (b) is a misdemeanor and upon conviction the violator shall be fined an amount not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($ 250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($ 1,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than one (1) year, or both.

(7) (a) The Department of Public Safety shall promulgate rules and regulations for the use of monies in the Interlock Device Fund to offset the cost of device installation and operation by indigent offenders.

(b) Indigence shall be determined based on proof of enrollment in one or more of the following types of public assistance:

(i) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF);

(ii) Medicaid assistance;

(iii) The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as "food stamps";

(iv) Supplemental security income (SSI);

(v) Participation in a federal food distribution program;

(vi) Federal housing assistance;

(vii) Unemployment compensation; or

(viii) Other criteria approved by the department.

(c) No more than ten percent (10%) of the money in the Interlock Device Fund in any fiscal year shall be expended by the department for the purpose of administering the fund.

(d) (i) Money in the Interlock Device Fund will be appropriated to the department to cover part of the costs of installing, removing and leasing ignition interlock devices for indigent people who are required, pursuant to a conviction or nonadjudication under Section 63-11-30, to install an ignition interlock device in all vehicles driven by the person.

(ii) If money is available in the Interlock Device Fund, the department shall pay to the vendor, for one (1) vehicle per offender, up to Fifty Dollars ($ 50.00) for the cost of installation, up to Fifty Dollars ($ 50.00) for the cost of removal, and up to Thirty Dollars ($ 30.00) monthly for verified active usage of the ignition interlock device. The department shall not pay any amount above what an offender would be required to pay for the installation, removal or usage of an ignition interlock device.

(8) In order to reinstate a form of driver's license that is not restricted to operation of an ignition interlock equipped vehicle, the person must:

(a) Submit proof of successful completion of an alcohol safety program as provided in Section 63-11-32 if so ordered by the court;

(b) Pay the reinstatement fee required under Section 63-1-46(1)(a);

(c) Pay the driver's license fee required under Section 63-1-43.