What are Mississippi Traffic Tickets?

Traffic tickets are official notices issued to drivers and other road users after a traffic violation in Mississippi. These tickets typically contain information regarding the driver, the vehicle involved, the offense(s), details of its severity, and associated penalties. Typically, local law enforcement issue traffic tickets, and the Driver Service Bureau enforces penalties under Mississippi’s Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulation. In addition, the division creates, maintains, and disseminates driving records in Mississippi. Concerned individuals may resolve traffic tickets at the local DMV office or the courthouse indicated on the ticket.

Records of traffic violations and all other records considered public may also be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites are a convenient alternative to government-owned resources since they aggregate records across multiple jurisdictions and provide multi-search options for inquirers seeking multiple records. To lookup traffic records using these sites, inquirers may need to provide the following information:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the document or person involved

Since aggregate sites are operated independent of government sources, record availability and accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

What Does a Traffic Citation Mean in Mississippi?

A traffic citation refers to the document issued by law enforcement when a motorist violates traffic laws in Mississippi. Also, a traffic citation is colloquially known as a traffic ticket in discussions on traffic violations.

Depending on the offense’s severity, getting a citation or ticket may require that the violator appear in court and/or pay stipulated fines. Furthermore, if found guilty, the Driver Service Bureau includes details of the citation in the individual’s driving record.

How Do I Pay a Traffic Ticket in Mississippi?

When an offender receives a ticket, Mississippi traffic laws require that they respond by paying the fines or appearing in court, as indicated on the ticket’s back, within ten (10) days from the issue date. If they wish to contest the traffic ticket, they are expected to do so within the specified window.

Bear in mind that choosing to pay a traffic ticket may be considered an admission of guilt, implying that the recipient has opted to waive their right to challenge the traffic ticket in court. Furthermore, paying a ticket may attract additional penalties, such as added points to the offender’s driving record. Receiving multiple tickets typically translates to increased auto insurance rates for the offending driver.

A Trial Court usually hears traffic violation cases within the jurisdiction where the violation occurred, and prescribed fines are paid to the court in person, by phone, mail, or online. The offender may contact the court to determine which of these methods is available, but most courts offer in-person payment options during business hours. However, if the violator cannot pay the full fine at once, the court may set up a payment plan. Eligible offenders may contact the court to find out if this option is available.

Can You Pay Mississippi Traffic Tickets Online?

Yes, depending on the jurisdiction where the violation occurred, Trial Courts maintain a payment portal for the payment of traffic tickets in most counties. However, traffic violators may be required to pay specific traffic tickets in person at the local courthouse. If you have trouble paying online, certain third-party service providers offer to resolve or dispute tickets on behalf of clients. Typically, this service is subscription-based, and users have to provide relevant information to find and settle or contest the ticket. In either case, the details required often include:

• The full name of the violator
• Jurisdiction of the traffic violation
• Uniform Traffic Citation (UTC) number on the ticket
• Case number
• Court date
• Date of offense
• Driver’s license number
• Driver’s date of birth
• Credit card information

How Do I Pay a Ticket Online in Mississippi?

To pay a traffic ticket online in Mississippi, find the official website of the presiding court or the county where the violation occurred. The Mississippi Judiciary maintains a public directory of courts in the state. The individual should possess the traffic ticket or the information mentioned above at the time of payment. For example, to pay a traffic ticket in Jackson County:

• Visit the payment portal.
• Select the search parameter (e.g., citation number, license number, etc.)
• Enter the Citation number, driver’s license number, or date of birth
• Click search and Follow the on-screen prompts.

What is the Mississippi Traffic Ticketing System?

The Mississippi Driver Services Bureau does not use a point system to track and determine penalties for various Mississippi traffic violations. Typically, the division issues a warning when a driver accumulates several violations within a short period. Depending on the number of violations and the severity of the offense, the Department of Transportation may issue a temporary or permanent revocation of a driver’s license. The reinstatement requirements for a suspended or revoked driver’s license differ with the circumstances surrounding the violation. Nevertheless, most violators may be required to:

• Serve the entire suspension.
• Complete defensive driving course
• Complete a traffic safety education course
• Provide a certificate of insurance
• Pay a reinstatement fee of $25 to $175 (depending on the violation)
• Retake a driver’s license exam

How Do I Know if I Have a Traffic Ticket in Mississippi?

Drivers who have been issued a ticket in Mississippi are either served in person or mailed the ticket. However, if an offender misses this mail or ignores it, the court issues a supplemental summons or warrant for their arrest. To get information about pending traffic tickets, interested persons may obtain their driving records from the Bureau of Driver Services. The bureau also allows drivers to access their driving records on this web page.

A typical driving record may contain your complete driving history, including crash reports, DUIs, citation history, etc. Typically, the requester is required to provide the driver’s date of birth, license number, and other related information to facilitate their request. However, requests are not processed until the requester pays the specified fees.

Driving record requests may also be made to the DMV office in the record-holder’s jurisdiction. The Bureau of Driver Services maintains a directory of the local offices in Mississippi. Likewise, independent service providers allow interested parties to know any traffic ticket’s status on a driver’s record. This option is especially useful when searching for multiple traffic tickets in different jurisdictions.

How Can I Find a Lost Traffic Ticket in Mississippi?

Concerned individuals may find lost traffic tickets by contacting the court in the jurisdiction where the violation occurred. Individuals may also visit the nearest Bureau of Driver Services office. The bureau charges a non-refundable fee of $5.00 for each copy of the ticket.

Generally, the requester is expected to provide a traffic ticket number, court docket number, or subject’s full name to facilitate the search. Thus, offenders should memorize or make personal notes of the citation number, presiding court, the issuing officer’s name, and the specific violations or charges.

How Long Does a Traffic Ticket Stay on Your Record in Mississippi?

Under Mississippi Traffic Violations Procedure § 63–9–17, the Department of Public Safety maintains a publicly-available record of the traffic ticket for a minimum of 3 years. However, records of serious traffic convictions in Mississippi remain on the individual’s driving record for life.

Is a Summon Worse Than a Ticket in Mississippi?

It depends. The court typically issues summons to motorists who committed serious traffic offenses, repeat offenders issued multiple tickets within a short period, or offenders who failed to respond to a ticket. Of course, a summons could mean the individual incurs hefty fines, attorney fees, and lose valuable time arguing their case in court. On the other hand, a ticket can be resolved by making a payment online, through the mail, or in-person. Thus, traffic offenders should take both seriously as they may result in significant penalties.