2020 Mississippi Code
Title 99 - Criminal Procedure
Chapter 27 - Proceedings for Intoxicating Beverage Offenses
§ 99-27-21. Search of motor vehicles, etc. and seizure of liquor without warrant
It shall be the duty of any sheriff or constable of a county, or any sheriff, constable or marshal, or policeman in a municipality who has reason to believe and does believe that intoxicating liquor is being transported in violation of law, in any wagon, cart, buggy, automobile, motorcycle, motor truck, water or air craft, or any other vehicle, forthwith to make a reasonable search of such vehicle and to seize any intoxicating liquor so found being transported or being attempted to be transported in violation of law and at once to arrest the person or persons in possession or control thereof and transporting or attempting to transport same in violation of law; and such officer or officers proceeding in good faith shall not be liable either civilly or criminally for such a search and seizure without a warrant, so long as said search and seizure is conducted in a reasonable manner, it appearing that the officer or officers had reason to believe and did believe that the prohibition laws of the State of Mississippi were being violated at the time such search was instituted. And the officers making such search shall be a competent witness, or witnesses, to testify as to all facts ascertained, and discoveries made, by means of said reasonable search, and all liquor, and all appliances for its manufacture or transportation, so seized shall be admitted in evidence. But this section shall not authorize the search of a residence or home or room or building or the premises belonging to or in the possession lawfully of the party suspected, without a search warrant.
