Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-73 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-73
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-73
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful:

(a) For any person, firm, association, corporation or trust to engage in business as, or serve in the capacity of, or act as a motor vehicle dealer, motor vehicle salesman, manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, factory branch or division, distributor branch or division, wholesaler branch or division, factory representative or distributor representative, as such, in this state without first obtaining a license therefor as provided in the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission Law, regardless of whether or not the person, firm, association, corporation or trust maintains or has a place or places of business in this state. Any person, firm, association, corporation or trust engaging, acting or serving in more than one (1) of the capacities or having more than one (1) place where the business is carried on or conducted shall be required to obtain and hold a current license for each capacity and place of business.

(b) For a motor vehicle dealer or a motor vehicle salesman:

(i) To require a purchaser of a new motor vehicle, as a condition of sale and delivery thereof, to also purchase special features, appliances, equipment, parts or accessories not desired or requested by the purchaser. However, this prohibition shall not apply as to special features, appliances, equipment, parts or accessories which are already installed on the car when received by the dealer.

(ii) To represent and sell as a new motor vehicle any motor vehicle which has been used and operated for demonstration purposes or which is otherwise a used motor vehicle.

(iii) To resort to or use any false or misleading advertisement in connection with his business as a motor vehicle dealer or motor vehicle salesman.

(iv) To sell an extended service contract, extended maintenance plan or similar product that is not offered, endorsed or sponsored by a manufacturer or distributor without disclosing to the consumer, orally and in writing, that the offered product is not provided or supported by a manufacturer or distributor.

(c) For a manufacturer, a distributor, a wholesaler, a distributor branch or division, a factory branch or division, or a wholesaler branch or division, or officer, agent or other representative thereof, to coerce, or attempt to coerce, any motor vehicle dealer:

(i) To order or accept delivery of any motor vehicle or vehicles, appliances, equipment, parts or accessories therefor, or any other commodity or commodities which shall not have been voluntarily ordered by the motor vehicle dealer.

(ii) To order or accept delivery of any motor vehicle with special features, appliances, accessories or equipment not included in the list price of the motor vehicles as publicly advertised by the manufacturer thereof.

(iii) To order for any person any parts, accessories, equipment, machinery, tools, appliances or any commodity whatsoever.

(iv) To contribute or pay money or anything of value into any cooperative or other advertising program or fund.

This paragraph (c) shall not apply to manufacturers of motor homes governed by the provisions of Sections 63-17-201 through 63-17-221 .

(d) For a manufacturer, a distributor, a wholesaler, a distributor branch or division, a factory branch or division, or a wholesaler branch or division, or officer, agent or other representative thereof:

(i) To refuse to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of dealer's order to any duly licensed motor vehicle dealer having a franchise or contractual arrangement for the retail sale of new motor vehicles sold or distributed by such manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division or wholesale branch or division, any motor vehicles as are covered by such franchise or contract specifically publicly advertised by the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division or wholesale branch or division, to be available for immediate delivery. However, the failure to deliver any motor vehicle shall not be considered a violation of this subsection if the failure is due to acts of God, work stoppages or delays due to strikes or labor difficulties, freight embargoes or other causes over which the manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler, or any agent thereof, has no control.

(ii) To coerce, or attempt to coerce any motor vehicle dealer to enter into any agreement, with the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division, or wholesaler branch or division, or officer, agent or other representative thereof, or to do any other act prejudicial to the dealer by threatening to cancel any franchise or any contractual agreement existing between the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division, or wholesaler branch or division, and the dealer. However, good-faith notice to any motor vehicle dealer of the dealer's violation of any terms or provisions of the franchise or contractual agreement shall not constitute a violation of this subsection.

(iii) To terminate or cancel the franchise or selling agreement of any dealer without due cause. The nonrenewal of a franchise or selling agreement, without due cause, shall constitute an unfair termination or cancellation, regardless of the terms or provisions of such franchise or selling agreement. “Due cause” shall be defined as a breach by the dealer of a material provision of the franchise agreement which breach has not been cured within a reasonable time after the dealer has been given written notice of the breach. The burden of proving that due cause exists shall be upon the party attempting to terminate, cancel or not renew the franchise or selling agreement. The manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division, or wholesaler branch or division, or officer, agent or other representative thereof shall notify a motor vehicle dealer in writing, and forward a copy of the notice to the commission, of the termination or cancellation of the franchise or selling agreement of the dealer at least sixty (60) days before the effective date thereof, stating the specific grounds for such termination or cancellation. The manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division, or wholesaler branch or division, or officer, agent or other representative thereof shall notify a motor vehicle dealer in writing, and forward a copy of the notice to the commission, at least sixty (60) days before the contractual term of his franchise or selling agreement expires that the franchise or selling agreement will not be renewed, stating the specific grounds for the nonrenewal, in those cases where there is no intention to renew the franchise or selling agreement. In no event shall the contractual term of any franchise or selling agreement expire, without the written consent of the motor vehicle dealer involved, prior to the expiration of at least sixty (60) days following such written notice. Any motor vehicle dealer who receives written notice that his franchise or selling agreement is being terminated or cancelled or who receives written notice that his franchise or selling agreement will not be renewed, may, within the sixty-day notice period, file with the commission a verified complaint for its determination as to whether the termination or cancellation or nonrenewal is unfair within the purview of the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission Law, and the franchise agreement shall continue in effect until final determination of the issues raised in the complaint notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the law or in the franchise or selling agreement.

(iv) To require, attempt to require, coerce or attempt to coerce a dealer, by franchise agreement or otherwise, or as a condition to the renewal or continuation of a franchise agreement, to materially change the dealer's method of conducting business, not including its facilities, if the change would impose substantial and unreasonable financial hardship on the business of the motor vehicle dealer in light of the business objective of the proposed change, unless the change is voluntarily agreed to by the dealer for separate and valuable consideration.

(v) To offer to sell or to sell any new motor vehicle to any motor vehicle dealer at a lower actual price therefor than the actual price charged to any other motor vehicle dealer for the same model vehicle similarly equipped or to utilize any device, including, but not limited to, sales promotion plans or programs which result in such lesser actual price. The provisions of this subparagraph shall not apply so long as a manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler, or any agent thereof, offers to sell or sells new motor vehicles to all motor vehicle dealers at the same price. This subparagraph shall not be construed to prevent the offering of volume discounts if such discounts are equally available to all franchised motor vehicle dealers of the same line or make in this state.

The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to sales to a motor vehicle dealer of any motor vehicle ultimately sold, donated or used by such dealer in a driver education program, to sales to a motor vehicle dealer for resale to any unit of government, federal, state or local, or to bona fide fleet sales.

(vi) To offer to sell or to sell parts and/or accessories to any new motor vehicle dealer for use in his own business for the purpose of repairing or replacing the same or a comparable part or accessory, at a lower actual price therefor than the actual price charged to any other new motor vehicle dealer for similar parts and/or accessories for use in his own business. However, it is recognized that certain motor vehicle dealers operate and serve as wholesalers of parts and accessories to retail outlets, and nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent a manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler, or any agent thereof, from selling to a motor vehicle dealer who operates and serves as a wholesaler of parts and accessories, the parts and accessories as may be ordered by such motor vehicle dealer for resale to retail outlets, at a lower actual price than the actual price charged a motor vehicle dealer who does not operate or serve as a wholesaler of parts and accessories.

(vii) To prevent or attempt to prevent by contract or otherwise any motor vehicle dealer from changing the capital structure of his dealership or the means by or through which he finances the operation of his dealership, provided the motor vehicle dealer at all times meets any capital standards agreed to between the dealership and the manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler, provided such standards are deemed reasonable by the commission.

(viii) To prevent or attempt to prevent by contract or otherwise any motor vehicle dealer or any officer, partner or stockholder of any motor vehicle dealer from selling or transferring any part of the interest of any of them to any other person or persons or party or parties. However, no motor vehicle dealer, officer, partner or stockholder shall have the right to sell, transfer or assign the franchise or any right thereunder without the consent of the manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(ix) To condition unreasonably the renewal or extension of a franchise on a motor vehicle dealer's substantial renovation of the motor vehicle dealer's place of business or on the construction, purchase, acquisition or rental of a new place of business by the motor vehicle dealer. The manufacturer shall notify the motor vehicle dealer in writing of its intent to impose such a condition within a reasonable time prior to the effective date of the proposed renewal or extension, but in no case less than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the renewal or extension. Upon receipt of written notification, a motor vehicle dealer shall have sixty (60) days to file a protest with the commission, and the manufacturer shall demonstrate to the commission the need for the demand in view of the need to service the public and the economic conditions existing in the motor vehicle industry and the market area served by the motor vehicle dealer at the time the action would be required of the motor vehicle dealer. As part of any such condition the manufacturer shall offer the motor vehicle dealer a reasonable initial supply and model mix of motor vehicles to meet the sales levels necessary to support the increased overhead incurred by the motor vehicle dealer by reason of the renovation, construction, purchase or rental of a new place of business consistent with nationally applied standards.

(x) To require, coerce or attempt to coerce a motor vehicle dealer to refrain from participation in the management of, investment in, the acquisition of, or the current operation of any other line of motor vehicles or related products, as long as the motor vehicle dealer maintains a reasonable line of credit for each dealership and the motor vehicle dealer remains in substantial compliance with reasonable facilities' requirements of the manufacturer or distributor. The reasonable facilities' requirements may not include any requirement that a motor vehicle dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel or display space when the requirements are unreasonable considering current economic conditions in the market area and not otherwise justified by reasonable business considerations. The burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the current economic conditions and reasonable business considerations justify exclusive facilities is on the manufacturer. Voluntary and noncoerced acceptance of such conditions by the motor vehicle dealer in writing for separate and valuable consideration shall not constitute a violation.

(xi) To fail or refuse to sell or offer to sell to all motor vehicle dealers in a line or make, every motor vehicle sold or offered for sale under the franchise agreement to any motor vehicle dealer of the same line or make; or to unreasonably require a motor vehicle dealer to pay an extra fee, purchase unreasonable advertising displays or any other materials, or to unreasonably require the dealer-operator to remodel, renovate or recondition its existing facilities as a prerequisite to receiving a certain model or series of vehicles. However, the failure to deliver any such motor vehicle shall not be considered a violation of this section if the failure is not arbitrary and is due to a lack of manufacturing capacity or to a strike or labor difficulty, a shortage of materials, a freight embargo or other cause of which the manufacturer or distributor has no control. This provision shall not apply to manufacturers of recreational vehicles.

(xii) To condition the sale, transfer, relocation or renewal of a franchise or dealer agreement or to condition sales, services, parts or finance incentives upon site-control agreement; however, voluntary and noncoerced acceptance of such conditions by the motor vehicle dealer in writing, shall not constitute a violation.

(xiii) To assign or change a motor vehicle dealer's market area under the franchise or motor vehicle dealer's agreement arbitrarily or without due regard to the present or projected future pattern of motor vehicle sales and registrations within the motor vehicle dealer's market area, and without first having provided the motor vehicle dealer's with written notice of the change in the motor vehicle dealer's market area and a detailed description of the change and reasons therefor.

(xiv) To attempt to coerce, or coerce, a motor vehicle dealer to adhere to performance standards that are not applied uniformly to other similarly situated motor vehicle dealers.

(xv) To establish any performance standard or program for measuring motor vehicle dealer's performance that may have a material impact on a motor vehicle dealer that is not fair, reasonable and equitable, or applying any such standard or program to a motor vehicle dealer in a manner that is not fair, reasonable and equitable. If dealership performance standards are based on a survey, the manufacturer or distributor shall establish the objectivity of the survey process and provide this information to any motor vehicle dealer covered by the survey request. Within fifteen (15) business days of a request by the motor vehicle dealer, a manufacturer shall disclose in writing to the motor vehicle dealer a description of the performance standard or program and all relevant information used in the application of the performance standard or program to that motor vehicle dealer unless the manufacturer has already provided the information.

(xvi) To increase prices of new motor vehicles which the new motor vehicle dealer had ordered for the ultimate purchasers prior to the motor vehicle dealer's receipt of written official price increase notification. A sales contract signed by the ultimate purchaser that includes model and firm price shall constitute evidence of each such order provided that the vehicle is in fact delivered to that purchaser.

(xvii) To attempt to require, coerce or attempt to coerce any new motor vehicle dealer to sell, offer to sell or sell exclusively an extended service contract, extended maintenance plan or similar product, including, without limitation, GAP products, offered, endorsed or sponsored by the manufacturer or distributor by any of the following means:

1. By an act or statement made by the manufacturer or distributor that will adversely impact the motor vehicle dealer whether it is express or implied; or

2. By a provision in a franchise agreement that the motor vehicle dealer shall sell, offer to sell or sell exclusively an extended service contract, extended warranty plan or similar product offered, endorsed or sponsored by the manufacturer or distributor; or

3. By measuring the motor vehicle dealer's performance under the franchise agreement based on the sale of extended service contracts, extended maintenance plans or similar products offered, endorsed or sponsored by the manufacturer or distributor; or

4. By requiring the motor vehicle dealer to actively promote the sale or extended service contracts, extended maintenance plans or similar products offered, endorsed or sponsored by the manufacturer or distributor.

Nothing in this subparagraph shall prohibit a manufacturer or distributor from providing incentive programs to a new motor vehicle dealer who makes the voluntary decision to offer to sell, sell or sell exclusively an extended service contract, extended maintenance plan or similar product offered, endorsed or sponsored by the manufacturer or distributor.

(xviii) To require a motor vehicle dealer to provide its customer lists or service files to the manufacturer or distributor, unless necessary for the sale and delivery of a new motor vehicle to a consumer, to validate and pay consumer or dealer incentives, for reasonable marketing purposes, for evaluation of dealer performance, for analytics or for the submission to the franchisor for any services supplied by the franchisee for any claim for warranty parts or repairs. Nothing in this section shall limit the franchisor's ability to require or use customer information to satisfy any safety or recall notice obligation or other legal obligation.

(xix) To release or cause to be released a motor vehicle dealer's nonpublic customer information to another motor vehicle dealer unless the franchise has been terminated, the customer has relocated to an address that is outside of the motor vehicle dealer's market area, the customer has transacted business with another motor vehicle dealer of the same brand, a customer has not transacted with the dealer from which a vehicle was purchased for a period of nine (9) months, or the motor vehicle dealer consents to the sharing of customer information with other dealers.

(xx) To coerce, attempt to coerce, require or attempt to require any motor vehicle dealer to provide installment financing with a specified financial institution.

(xxi) To require, coerce or attempt to coerce a dealer or successor dealer to construct or substantially alter a facility or premises if such construction or alteration would be unreasonable under the circumstances.

(xxii) To require, coerce or attempt to coerce a dealer or successor dealer to construct or substantially alter a facility or premises if the same area of the facility or premises has been constructed or substantially altered within the last ten (10) years and the construction or alteration was required and approved by the manufacturer as a part of a program, standard or policy, except for improvements made to comply with health or safety laws, or to accommodate the technology requirements necessary to sell or to service a motor vehicle. As used in this subsection, “ substantially alter ” means an alteration that substantially impacts the architectural features, characteristics, or integrity of a structure or lot. The term does not include routine maintenance reasonably necessary to maintain a dealership in attractive condition, or items directly protected by federal intellectual property rights of the manufacturer. If, during such ten-year period, the manufacturer revises an existing, or establishes a new program, standard, policy, bonus, incentive, rebate, or other benefit for the construction or substantial alteration of a dealership facility or premises, a motor vehicle dealer who completed a facility as a part of a prior program, standard, or policy within the ten-year period and elects not to comply with the applicant's or manufacturer's requirements under the revised or new program, standard, or facility-related policy will not be eligible for any bonus, incentive, rebate, or other benefit under the revised or new program but shall remain entitled to all benefits under the prior program according to the terms of the prior program in place when the dealer began to perform under the program. If the prior program under which the dealer completed a facility construction or substantial alteration does not contain a specific time period during which the manufacturer or distributor must provide payments or benefits to a dealer, then the manufacturer or distributor may not deny the dealer payment or benefits under the terms of that prior program, as it existed when the dealer began to perform under the prior program, for the balance of the ten-year period, regardless of whether the manufacturer's or distributor's facility program has been changed or canceled.

(xxiii) To require, coerce, or attempt to coerce a dealer located in this state to purchase goods or facility construction or maintenance services for items not trademarked or otherwise directly protected by federal intellectual property rights of the manufacturer from a vendor selected, identified, or designated by a manufacturer, distributor, affiliate, or captive finance source when the dealer may obtain goods or facility construction or maintenance services for items not trademarked or otherwise directly protected by federal intellectual property rights of the manufacturer of the same quality, material, and design from a vendor selected by the dealer, provided the dealer obtains prior approval from the manufacturer, distributor or affiliate, for the use of the dealer's selected vendor. Goods shall include signs or sign components to be purchased or leased by the dealer which are not trademarked or otherwise directly protected by the federal intellectual property rights of the manufacturer. Such approval by the manufacturer, distributor or affiliate may not be unreasonably withheld. For purposes of this subparagraph (xxiii), the term “goods” does not include moveable displays, brochures, and promotional materials containing material subject to the intellectual property rights of a manufacturer or distributor, or special tools as reasonably required by the manufacturer, or parts to be used in repairs under warranty or recall obligations of a manufacturer or distributor. If the manufacturer, distributor or affiliate claims that a vendor chosen by the dealer cannot supply goods or facility construction or maintenance services for items not trademarked or otherwise directly protected by federal intellectual property rights of the manufacturer which are the same quality, material, and design, the dealer may file a protest with the commission. When a protest is filed, the commission shall promptly inform the manufacturer, distributor, affiliate, or captive finance source that a protest has been filed. The commission shall conduct a hearing on the merits of the protest within ninety (90) days following the filing of a response to the protest. The manufacturer, distributor or affiliate shall bear the burden of proving that the goods or facility construction or maintenance services for items not trademarked or otherwise directly protected by federal intellectual property rights of the manufacturer chosen by the dealer are not of the same quality, material or design to those required by the manufacturer, distributor or affiliate.

This paragraph (d) shall not apply to manufacturers of motor homes governed by the provisions of Sections 63-17-201 through 63-17-221 .

(2) Concerning any sale of a motor vehicle or vehicles to the State of Mississippi, or to the several counties or municipalities thereof, or to any other political subdivision thereof, no manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler shall offer any discounts, refunds, or any other similar type inducements to any dealer without making the same offer or offers to all other of its dealers within the state. If the inducements above mentioned are made, the manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler shall give simultaneous notice thereof to all of its dealers within the state.

(3) It is unlawful to be a broker. For the purpose of this subsection, “ broker ” means a person who, for a fee, commission or other valuable consideration, arranges or offers to arrange a transaction involving the sale, for purposes other than resale, of a new motor vehicle, and who is not:

(a) A new motor vehicle dealer or agent or employee of such a dealer; or

(b) A distributor or an agent or employee of such a distributor.

However, an individual shall not be deemed to be a broker if he or she is the owner of the new or used motor vehicle which is the object of the brokering transaction.

(4)(a) For purposes of this subsection, the term “ Stop-Sale ” or “ Do-Not-Drive ” order means a notification issued by a manufacturer to its franchised new motor vehicle dealers stating that certain used vehicles in inventory shall not be sold or leased, at either retail or wholesale, due to a federal safety recall for a defect or noncompliance, or a federal emissions recall.

(b) A manufacturer shall compensate its new motor vehicle dealers for all labor and parts required by the manufacturer to perform recall repairs. Compensation for recall repairs shall be reasonable. If parts or a remedy are not reasonably available to perform a recall service or repair on a used vehicle held for sale by a dealer authorized to sell and service new vehicles of the same line-make within thirty (30) days of the manufacturer issuing the initial notice of recall, and the manufacturer has issued a Stop-Sale or Do-Not-Drive order on the vehicle, the manufacturer shall compensate the dealer at a prorated rate of at least one percent (1%) of the value of the vehicle per month beginning on the date that is thirty (30) days after the date on which the Stop-Sale or Do-Not-Drive order was provided to the dealer until the earlier of either of the following:

(i) The date the recall or remedy parts are made available; or

(ii) The date the dealer sells, trades, or otherwise disposes of the affected used motor vehicle.

(c) The value of a used vehicle shall be the average trade-in value for used vehicles as indicated in an independent third party guide for the year, make, and model, of the recalled vehicle.

(d) This subsection shall apply only to used vehicles subject to safety or emissions recalls pursuant to and recalled in accordance with federal law and regulations adopted thereunder and where a Stop-Sale or Do-Not-Drive order has been issued and repair parts or remedy remain unavailable for thirty (30) days or longer. This subsection further shall apply only to new motor vehicle dealers holding an affected used vehicle for sale:

(i) In inventory at the time the Stop-Sale or Do-Not-Drive order was issued; or

(ii) Which was taken in the used vehicle inventory of the dealer as a consumer trade-in incident to the purchase of a new vehicle from the dealer after the Stop-Sale or Do-Not-Drive order was issued; and

(iii) That are a line-make that the dealer is franchised to sell or on which the dealer is authorized to perform recall repairs.

(e) It shall be a violation of this subsection for a manufacturer to reduce the amount of compensation otherwise owed to an individual new motor vehicle dealer, whether through a chargeback, removal of the individual dealer from an incentive program or reduction in amount owed under an incentive program solely because the new motor vehicle dealer has submitted a claim for reimbursement under this subsection. This subsection shall not apply to an action by a manufacturer that is applied uniformly among all dealers of the same line-make in the state.

(f) All reimbursement claims made by new motor vehicle dealers pursuant to this subsection for recall remedies or repairs, or for compensation where no part or repair is reasonably available and the vehicle is subject to a Stop-Sale or Do-Not-Drive order shall be subject to the same limitations and requirements as a warranty reimbursement claim made under paragraph (j) of Section 63-17-85 . In the alternative, a manufacturer may compensate its franchised dealers under a national recall compensation program provided the compensation under the program is equal to or greater than that provided under paragraph (b) of this subsection (4); or the manufacturer and dealer otherwise agree.

(g) A manufacturer may direct the manner and method in which a dealer must demonstrate the inventory status of an affected used motor vehicle to determine eligibility under this subsection, provided that the manner and method may not be unduly burdensome and may not require information that is unduly burdensome to the dealer.

(h) Nothing in this subsection shall require a manufacturer to provide total compensation to a dealer which would exceed the total average trade-in value of the affected used motor vehicle as originally determined under paragraph (b) of this subsection (4).

(i) If a recall remedy for an affected use motor vehicle is available under a federal statute or regulation, then a dealer may opt to be compensated under either the federal statute or authority of this subsection but may not combine the remedies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-15-3 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-15-3
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall, for the purposes of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except in those instances where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(a) “ Highway ” means the entire width between property lines of any road, street, way, thoroughfare or bridge in the State of Mississippi not privately owned or controlled, when any part thereof is open to the public for vehicular traffic and over which the state has legislative jurisdiction under its police power.

(b) “ Judgment ” means any judgment which shall have become final by expiration, without appeal, of the time within which an appeal might have been perfected, or by final affirmation on appeal, rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction of any state or of the United States, upon a cause of action arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of any motor vehicle, for damages, including damages for care and loss of services, because of bodily injury to or death of any person, or for damages because of injury to or destruction of property, including the loss of use thereof, or upon a cause of action on an agreement of settlement for such damages.

(c) “ Motor vehicle ” means every self-propelled vehicle (other than traction engines, road rollers and graders, tractor cranes, power shovels, well drillers, implements of husbandry, electric bicycles, personal delivery devices and electric personal assistive mobility devices as defined in Section 63-3-103 ) which is designed for use upon a highway, including trailers and semitrailers designed for use with such vehicles, and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead wires but not operated upon rails.

For purposes of this definition, “implements of husbandry” shall not include trucks, pickup trucks, trailers and semitrailers designed for use with such trucks and pickup trucks.

(d) “ License ” means any driver's, operator's, commercial operator's, or chauffeur's license, temporary instruction permit or temporary license, or restricted license, issued under the laws of the State of Mississippi pertaining to the licensing of persons to operate motor vehicles.

(e) “ Nonresident ” means every person who is not a resident of the State of Mississippi.

(f) “ Nonresident's operating privilege ” means the privilege conferred upon a nonresident by the laws of Mississippi pertaining to the operation by him of a motor vehicle, or the use of a motor vehicle owned by him, in the State of Mississippi.

(g) “ Operator ” means every person who is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle.

(h) “ Owner ” means a person who holds the legal title of a motor vehicle; in the event a motor vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee or in the event a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then such conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner for the purpose of this chapter.

(i) “ Person ” means every natural person, firm, copartnership, association or corporation.

(j) “ Proof of financial responsibility ” means proof of ability to respond in damages for liability, on account of accidents occurring subsequent to the effective date of said proof, arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of a motor vehicle, in the amount of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of one (1) person in any one (1) accident, and subject to said limit for one (1) person, in the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) because of bodily injury to or death of two (2) or more persons in any one (1) accident, and in the amount of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one (1) accident. Liability insurance required under this paragraph (j) may contain exclusions and limitations on coverage as long as the exclusions and limitations language or form has been filed with and approved by the Commissioner of Insurance.

(k) “ Registration ” means a certificate or certificates and registration plates issued under the laws of this state pertaining to the registration of motor vehicles.

(l) “ Department ” means the Department of Public Safety of the State of Mississippi, acting directly or through its authorized officers and agents, except in such sections of this chapter in which some other state department is specifically named.

(m) “ State ” means any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any province of the Dominion of Canada.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-219 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Section 21-219
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-219
Status: in_force

Upon the commissioner filing a report with the court attaching a copy of the sheriff's report of the sale and a list of the actual or proposed disbursements from the accepted bid, the court may enter a final order approving the sale and the disbursement of the proceeds from the accepted bid and include such other provisions as deemed appropriate by the court. The court may enter any other order finally disposing of the proceeding, including an order of dismissal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-37-11 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 32 / Section 37-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-37-11
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be unlawful for:

(a) A law enforcement officer to:

(i) Receive compensation or receive any other incentive, monetary or otherwise, to select a particular towing and recovery service from the list;

(ii) Hold any financial interest in a towing and recovery service; and

(iii) Recommend any towing and recovery service in the performance of his or her duties;

(b) Any member of the Commercial Vehicle Towing Advisory Committee or Department of Transportation to receive compensation from a towing and recovery service for the privilege of being included on the tow list;

(c) A towing and recovery service to pay money or other valuable consideration for the privilege of nonconsensual towing commercial motor vehicles;

(d) A towing and recovery service to employ or otherwise compensate individuals, commonly referred to as “spotters,” whose primary task is to report the presence of unauthorized, improperly or illegally parked commercial motor vehicles for the purpose of towing or removal and storage; and

(2) Nonconsensual tows for unauthorized, illegally parked commercial motor vehicles on private property must be performed by Mississippi-based towers. Towed vehicles must be stored within the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-87 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-87
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-87
Status: in_force

The revocation or suspension of the license of a manufacturer, factory branch or division, distributor, distributor branch or division, wholesaler, or wholesaler branch or division may be limited to:

(a) One or more municipalities or counties.

(b) The sales area of any dealer whose franchise is unfairly cancelled or terminated within the purview of the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission Law, or whose franchise is not renewed in violation of the provisions of said law. However, where such a franchise is unfairly cancelled or terminated within the purview of said law or is not renewed in violation of the provisions of said law in a metropolitan area serviced by several motor vehicle dealers handling the same motor vehicles, the revocation or suspension shall not be applicable to the remaining motor vehicle dealers in such metropolitan area.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-27-5 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 25 / Section 27-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-27-5
Status: in_force

In all instances where nonoriginal equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts are used in preparing an estimate for repairs, the written estimate prepared by the insurer and repair facility shall clearly identify each such part. A disclosure document attached to the estimate shall contain the following information in no smaller than ten-point type:

THIS ESTIMATE HAS BEEN PREPARED BASED ON THE USE OF AFTERMARKET CRASH PARTS SUPPLIED BY A SOURCE OTHER THAN THE MANUFACTURER OF YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE. THE AFTERMARKET CRASH PARTS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS ESTIMATE ARE WARRANTED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR OF SUCH PARTS RATHER THAN THE MANUFACTURER OF YOUR VEHICLE.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-19-23 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 2 / Section 19-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-19-23
Status: in_force

The administrator shall, at intermittent periods, make such investigations and examinations of any licensee or other person as he deems necessary to determine compliance with this chapter. For such purpose he may examine the books, accounts, records and other documents or matters of any licensee or other person. He shall have the power to compel the production of all relevant books, records and other documents and materials relative to an examination or investigation. Such investigations and examinations shall not be made more often than once during a year unless the administrator has reason to believe the licensee is not complying with the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-16-1 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Section 16-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-16-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as the “Public Safety Verification and Enforcement Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-30 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Section 11-30
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-30
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for a person to drive or otherwise operate a vehicle within this state if the person:

(a) Is under the influence of intoxicating liquor;

(b) Is under the influence of any other substance that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle;

(c) Is under the influence of any drug or controlled substance, the possession of which is unlawful under the Mississippi Controlled Substances Law; or

(d) Has an alcohol concentration in the person's blood, based upon grams of alcohol per one hundred (100) milliliters of blood, or grams of alcohol per two hundred ten (210) liters of breath, as shown by a chemical analysis of the person's breath, blood or urine administered as authorized by this chapter, of:

(i) Eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more for a person who is above the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law;

(ii) Two one-hundredths percent (.02%) or more for a person who is below the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law; or

(iii) Four one-hundredths percent (.04%) or more for a person operating a commercial motor vehicle.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section (Zero Tolerance for Minors):

(a) First offense DUI. (i) Upon conviction of any person for the first offense of violating subsection (1) of this section where chemical tests under Section 63-11-5 were given, or where chemical test results are not available, the person shall be fined not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisoned for not more than forty-eight (48) hours in jail, or both; the court shall order the person to attend and complete an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32 within six (6) months of sentencing. The court may substitute attendance at a victim impact panel instead of forty-eight (48) hours in jail.

(ii) Suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216 .

(iii) A qualifying first offense may be nonadjudicated by the court under subsection (14) of this section. The holder of a commercial driver's license or a commercial learning permit at the time of the offense is ineligible for nonadjudication.

(iv) Eligibility for an interlock-restricted license is governed by Section 63-11-31 and suspension of regular driving privileges is governed by Section 63-11-23 .

(b) Second offense DUI. (i) Upon any second conviction of any person violating subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, fined not less than Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) nor more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00), shall be imprisoned not less than five (5) days nor more than six (6) months and sentenced to community service work for not less than ten (10) days nor more than six (6) months. The minimum penalties shall not be suspended or reduced by the court and no prosecutor shall offer any suspension or sentence reduction as part of a plea bargain.

(ii) Suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216 .

(iii) Eligibility for an interlock-restricted license is governed by Section 63-11-31 and suspension of regular driving privileges is governed by Section 63-11-23 .

(c) Third offense DUI. (i) For a third conviction of a person for violating subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be guilty of a felony and fined not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), and shall serve not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections. For any offense that does not result in serious injury or death to any person, the sentence of incarceration may be served in the county jail rather than in the State Penitentiary at the discretion of the circuit court judge. The minimum penalties shall not be suspended or reduced by the court and no prosecutor shall offer any suspension or sentence reduction as part of a plea bargain.

(ii) The suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216 .

(iii) The suspension of regular driving privileges is governed by Section 63-11-23 .

(d) Fourth and subsequent offense DUI. (i) For any fourth or subsequent conviction of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, without regard to the time period within which the violations occurred, the person shall be guilty of a felony and fined not less than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and shall serve not less than two (2) years nor more than ten (10) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections.

(ii) The suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216 .

(iii) A person convicted of a fourth or subsequent offense is ineligible to exercise the privilege to operate a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition-interlock device for ten (10) years.

(e) Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section shall receive an in-depth diagnostic assessment, and if as a result of the assessment is determined to be in need of treatment for alcohol or drug abuse, the person must successfully complete treatment at a program site certified by the Department of Mental Health. Each person who receives a diagnostic assessment shall pay a fee representing the cost of the assessment. Each person who participates in a treatment program shall pay a fee representing the cost of treatment.

(f) The use of ignition-interlock devices is governed by Section 63-11-31 .

(3) Zero tolerance for minors. (a) This subsection shall be known and may be cited as Zero Tolerance for Minors. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only when a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years has a blood alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths percent (.02%) or more, but lower than eight one-hundredths percent (.08%). If the person's blood alcohol concentration is eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more, the provisions of subsection (2) shall apply.

(b)(i) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) is eligible for nonadjudication of a qualifying first offense by the court pursuant to subsection (14) of this section.

(ii) Upon conviction of any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years for the first offense of violating subsection (1) of this section where chemical tests provided for under Section 63-11-5 were given, or where chemical test results are not available, the person shall be fined Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00); the court shall order the person to attend and complete an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32 within six (6) months. The court may also require attendance at a victim impact panel.

(c) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) years who is convicted of a second violation of subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(d) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) years who is convicted of a third or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).

(e) License suspension is governed by Section 63-11-23 and ignition interlock is governed by Section 63-11-31 .

(f) Any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years convicted of a third or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section must complete treatment of an alcohol or drug abuse program at a site certified by the Department of Mental Health.

(4) DUI test refusal. In addition to the other penalties provided in this section, every person refusing a law enforcement officer's request to submit to a chemical test of the person's breath as provided in this chapter, or who was unconscious at the time of a chemical test and refused to consent to the introduction of the results of the test in any prosecution, shall suffer an additional administrative suspension of driving privileges as set forth in Section 63-11-23 .

(5) Aggravated DUI. (a)(i) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (a), every person who operates any motor vehicle in violation of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section and who in a negligent manner causes the death of another or mutilates, disfigures, permanently disables or destroys the tongue, eye, lip, nose or any other limb, organ or member of another shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a separate felony for each victim who suffers death, mutilation, disfigurement or other injury and shall be committed to the custody of the State Department of Corrections for a period of time of not less than five (5) years and not to exceed twenty-five (25) years for each death, mutilation, disfigurement or other injury, and the imprisonment for the second or each subsequent conviction, in the discretion of the court, shall commence either at the termination of the imprisonment for the preceding conviction or run concurrently with the preceding conviction. Any person charged with causing the death of another as described in this subsection shall be required to post bail before being released after arrest.

(ii) Every person who is below the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law and has an alcohol concentration in the person's blood, based upon grams of alcohol per one hundred (100) milliliters of blood, or grams of alcohol per two hundred ten (210) liters of breath, as shown by a chemical analysis of the person's breath, blood or urine administered as authorized by this chapter, of eight one-hundredths percent (0.08%) or more and who in a negligent manner causes the death of another or mutilates, disfigures, permanently disables or destroys the tongue, eye, lip, nose or any other limb, organ or member of another shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a separate felony for each victim who suffers death, mutilation, disfigurement or other injury and shall be committed to the custody of the State Department of Corrections for a period of time not less than five (5) years and not to exceed twenty-five (25) years for each death, mutilation, disfigurement or other injury, and the imprisonment for the second or each subsequent conviction, in the discretion of the court, shall commence either at the termination of the imprisonment for the preceding conviction or run concurrently with the preceding conviction. Any such person charged with causing the death of another as described in this subparagraph shall be required to post bail before being released after arrest.

(b) A holder of a commercial driver's license who is convicted of operating a commercial motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more shall be guilty of a felony and shall be committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not less than two (2) years and not more than ten (10) years.

(c) The court shall order an ignition-interlock restriction on the offender's privilege to drive as a condition of probation or post-release supervision not to exceed five (5) years unless a longer restriction is required under other law. The ignition-interlock restriction shall not be applied to commercial license privileges until the driver serves the full disqualification period required by Section 63-1-216 .

(6) DUI citations. (a) Upon conviction of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, the trial judge shall sign in the place provided on the traffic ticket, citation or affidavit stating that the person arrested either employed an attorney or waived his right to an attorney after having been properly advised. If the person arrested employed an attorney, the name, address and telephone number of the attorney shall be written on the ticket, citation or affidavit. The court clerk must immediately send a copy of the traffic ticket, citation or affidavit, and any other pertinent documents concerning the conviction or other order of the court, to the Department of Public Safety as provided in Section 63-11-37 .

(b) A copy of the traffic ticket, citation or affidavit and any other pertinent documents, having been attested as true and correct by the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his designee, shall be sufficient proof of the conviction for purposes of determining the enhanced penalty for any subsequent convictions of violations of subsection (1) of this section. The Department of Public Safety shall maintain a central database for verification of prior offenses and convictions.

(7) Out-of-state prior convictions. Convictions in another state, territory or possession of the United States, or under the law of a federally recognized Native American tribe, of violations for driving or operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or while under the influence of any other substance that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle occurring within five (5) years before an offense shall be counted for the purposes of determining if a violation of subsection (1) of this section is a second, third, fourth or subsequent offense and the penalty that shall be imposed upon conviction for a violation of subsection (1) of this section.

(8) Charging of subsequent offenses. (a) For the purposes of determining how to impose the sentence for a second, third, fourth or subsequent conviction under this section, the affidavit or indictment shall not be required to enumerate previous convictions. It shall only be necessary that the affidavit or indictment states the number of times that the defendant has been convicted and sentenced within the past five (5) years for a second or third offense, or without a time limitation for a fourth or subsequent offense, under this section to determine if an enhanced penalty shall be imposed. The amount of fine and imprisonment imposed in previous convictions shall not be considered in calculating offenses to determine a second, third, fourth or subsequent offense of this section.

(b) Before a defendant enters a plea of guilty to an offense under this section, law enforcement must submit certification to the prosecutor that the defendant's driving record, the confidential registry and National Crime Information Center record have been searched for all prior convictions, nonadjudications, pretrial diversions and arrests for driving or operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or while under the influence of any other substance that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. The results of the search must be included in the certification.

(9) License eligibility for underage offenders. A person who is under the legal age to obtain a license to operate a motor vehicle at the time of the offense and who is convicted under this section shall not be eligible to receive a driver's license until the person reaches the age of eighteen (18) years.

(10) License suspensions and restrictions to run consecutively. Suspension or restriction of driving privileges for any person convicted of or nonadjudicated for violations of subsection (1) of this section shall run consecutively to and not concurrently with any other administrative license suspension.

(11) Ignition interlock. If the court orders installation and use of an ignition-interlock device as provided in Section 63-11-31 for every vehicle operated by a person convicted or nonadjudicated under this section, each device shall be installed, maintained and removed as provided in Section 63-11-31 .

(12) DUI child endangerment. A person over the age of twenty-one (21) who violates subsection (1) of this section while transporting in a motor vehicle a child under the age of sixteen (16) years is guilty of the separate offense of endangering a child by driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. The offense of endangering a child by driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle shall not be merged with an offense of violating subsection (1) of this section for the purposes of prosecution and sentencing. An offender who is convicted of a violation of this subsection shall be punished as follows:

(a) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which does not result in the serious injury or death of a child and which is a first conviction shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or shall be imprisoned for not more than twelve (12) months, or both;

(b) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which does not result in the serious injury or death of a child and which is a second conviction shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or shall be imprisoned for one (1) year, or both;

(c) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which does not result in the serious injury or death of a child and which is a third or subsequent conviction shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or shall be imprisoned for not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or both; and

(d) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which results in the serious injury or death of a child, without regard to whether the offense was a first, second, third or subsequent offense, shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and shall be imprisoned for not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty-five (25) years.

(13) Expunction. (a) Any person convicted under subsection (2) or (3) of this section of a first offense of driving under the influence and who was not the holder of a commercial driver's license or a commercial learning permit at the time of the offense may petition the circuit court of the county in which the conviction was had for an order to expunge the record of the conviction at least five (5) years after successful completion of all terms and conditions of the sentence imposed for the conviction. Expunction under this subsection will only be available to a person:

(i) Who has successfully completed all terms and conditions of the sentence imposed for the conviction;

(ii) Who did not refuse to submit to a test of his blood or breath;

(iii) Whose blood alcohol concentration tested below sixteen one-hundredths percent (.16%) if test results are available;

(iv) Who has not been convicted of and does not have pending any other offense of driving under the influence;

(v) Who has provided the court with justification as to why the conviction should be expunged; and

(vi) Who has not previously had a nonadjudication or expunction of a violation of this section.

(b) A person is eligible for only one (1) expunction under this subsection, and the Department of Public Safety shall maintain a permanent confidential registry of all cases of expunction under this subsection for the sole purpose of determining a person's eligibility for expunction, for nonadjudication, or as a first offender under this section.

(c) The court in its order of expunction shall state in writing the justification for which the expunction was granted and forward the order to the Department of Public Safety within five (5) days of the entry of the order.

(14) Nonadjudication. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, “ nonadjudication ” means that the court withholds adjudication of guilt and sentencing, either at the conclusion of a trial on the merits or upon the entry of a plea of guilt by a defendant, and places the defendant in a nonadjudication program conditioned upon the successful completion of the requirements imposed by the court under this subsection.

(b) A person is eligible for nonadjudication of an offense under this Section 63-11-30 only one (1) time under any provision of a law that authorizes nonadjudication and only for an offender:

(i) Who has successfully completed all terms and conditions imposed by the court after placement of the defendant in a nonadjudication program;

(ii) Who was not the holder of a commercial driver's license or a commercial learning permit at the time of the offense;

(iii) Who has not previously been convicted of and does not have pending any former or subsequent charges under this section; and

(iv) Who has provided the court with justification as to why nonadjudication is appropriate.

(c) Nonadjudication may be initiated upon the filing of a petition for nonadjudication or at any stage of the proceedings in the discretion of the court; the court may withhold adjudication of guilt, defer sentencing, and upon the agreement of the offender to participate in a nonadjudication program, enter an order imposing requirements on the offender for a period of court supervision before the order of nonadjudication is entered. Failure to successfully complete a nonadjudication program subjects the person to adjudication of the charges against him and to imposition of all penalties previously withheld due to entrance into a nonadjudication program. The court shall immediately inform the commissioner of the conviction as required in Section 63-11-37 .

(i) The court shall order the person to:

1. Pay the nonadjudication fee imposed under Section 63-11-31 if applicable;

2. Pay all fines, penalties and assessments that would have been imposed for conviction;

3. Attend and complete an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32 within six (6) months of the date of the order;

4. a. If the court determines that the person violated this section with respect to alcohol or intoxicating liquor, the person must install an ignition-interlock device on every motor vehicle operated by the person, obtain an interlock-restricted license, and maintain that license for one hundred twenty (120) days or suffer a one-hundred-twenty-day suspension of the person's regular driver's license, during which time the person must not operate any vehicle.

b. If the court determines that the person violated this section by operating a vehicle when under the influence of a substance other than alcohol that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle, including any drug or controlled substance which is unlawful to possess under the Mississippi Controlled Substances Law, the person must submit to a one-hundred-twenty-day period of a nonadjudication program that includes court-ordered drug testing at the person's own expense not less often than every thirty (30) days, during which time the person may drive if compliant with the terms of the program, or suffer a one-hundred-twenty-day suspension of the person's regular driver's license, during which time the person will not operate any vehicle.

(ii) Other conditions that may be imposed by the court include, but are not limited to, alcohol or drug screening, or both, proof that the person has not committed any other traffic violations while under court supervision, proof of immobilization or impoundment of vehicles owned by the offender if required, and attendance at a victim-impact panel.

(d) The court may enter an order of nonadjudication only if the court finds, after a hearing or after ex parte examination of reliable documentation of compliance, that the offender has successfully completed all conditions imposed by law and previous orders of the court. The court shall retain jurisdiction over cases involving nonadjudication for a period of not more than two (2) years.

(e)(i) The clerk shall immediately forward a record of every person placed in a nonadjudication program and of every nonadjudication order to the Department of Public Safety for inclusion in the permanent confidential registry of all cases that are nonadjudicated under this subsection (14).

(ii) Judges, clerks and prosecutors involved in the trial of implied consent violations and law enforcement officers involved in the issuance of citations for implied consent violations shall have secure online access to the confidential registry for the purpose of determining whether a person has previously been the subject of a nonadjudicated case and 1. is therefore ineligible for another nonadjudication; 2. is ineligible as a first offender for a violation of this section; or 3. is ineligible for expunction of a conviction of a violation of this section.

(iii) The Driver Services Bureau of the department shall have access to the confidential registry for the purpose of determining whether a person is eligible for a form of license not restricted to operating a vehicle equipped with an ignition-interlock device.

(iv) The Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program shall have secure online access to the confidential registry for research purposes only.

(15) The provisions of this section are fully applicable to any person who is under the influence of medical cannabis that is lawful under the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder which has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-15-33 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-15-33
Status: in_force

(1) A judgment debtor upon due notice to the judgment creditor may apply to the court in which such judgment was rendered for the privilege of paying such judgment in installments and the court, in its discretion and without prejudice to any other legal remedies which the judgment creditor may have, may so order and fix the amounts and times of payment of the installments.

(2) The department shall not suspend a license or a nonresident's operating privilege, and shall restore any license or nonresident's operating privilege suspended following nonpayment of a judgment, when the judgment debtor gives proof of financial responsibility and obtains such an order permitting the payment of such judgment in installments, and while the payment of any said installment is not in default.

(3) In the event the judgment debtor fails to pay any installment as specified by such order, then upon notice of such default, the department shall forthwith suspend the license or nonresident's operating privilege of the judgment debtor until such judgment is satisfied, as provided in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-73 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-73
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-73
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful:

(a) For any person, firm, association, corporation or trust to engage in business as, or serve in the capacity of, or act as a motor vehicle dealer, motor vehicle salesman, manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, factory branch or division, distributor branch or division, wholesaler branch or division, factory representative or distributor representative, as such, in this state without first obtaining a license therefor as provided in the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission Law, regardless of whether or not the person, firm, association, corporation or trust maintains or has a place or places of business in this state. Any person, firm, association, corporation or trust engaging, acting or serving in more than one (1) of the capacities or having more than one (1) place where the business is carried on or conducted shall be required to obtain and hold a current license for each capacity and place of business.

(b) For a motor vehicle dealer or a motor vehicle salesman:

(i) To require a purchaser of a new motor vehicle, as a condition of sale and delivery thereof, to also purchase special features, appliances, equipment, parts or accessories not desired or requested by the purchaser. However, this prohibition shall not apply as to special features, appliances, equipment, parts or accessories which are already installed on the car when received by the dealer.

(ii) To represent and sell as a new motor vehicle any motor vehicle which has been used and operated for demonstration purposes or which is otherwise a used motor vehicle.

(iii) To resort to or use any false or misleading advertisement in connection with his business as a motor vehicle dealer or motor vehicle salesman.

(iv) To sell an extended service contract, extended maintenance plan or similar product that is not offered, endorsed or sponsored by a manufacturer or distributor without disclosing to the consumer, orally and in writing, that the offered product is not provided or supported by a manufacturer or distributor.

(c) For a manufacturer, a distributor, a wholesaler, a distributor branch or division, a factory branch or division, or a wholesaler branch or division, or officer, agent or other representative thereof, to coerce, or attempt to coerce, any motor vehicle dealer:

(i) To order or accept delivery of any motor vehicle or vehicles, appliances, equipment, parts or accessories therefor, or any other commodity or commodities which shall not have been voluntarily ordered by the motor vehicle dealer.

(ii) To order or accept delivery of any motor vehicle with special features, appliances, accessories or equipment not included in the list price of the motor vehicles as publicly advertised by the manufacturer thereof.

(iii) To order for any person any parts, accessories, equipment, machinery, tools, appliances or any commodity whatsoever.

(iv) To contribute or pay money or anything of value into any cooperative or other advertising program or fund.

This paragraph (c) shall not apply to manufacturers of motor homes governed by the provisions of Sections 63-17-201 through 63-17-221 .

(d) For a manufacturer, a distributor, a wholesaler, a distributor branch or division, a factory branch or division, or a wholesaler branch or division, or officer, agent or other representative thereof:

(i) To refuse to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of dealer's order to any duly licensed motor vehicle dealer having a franchise or contractual arrangement for the retail sale of new motor vehicles sold or distributed by such manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division or wholesale branch or division, any motor vehicles as are covered by such franchise or contract specifically publicly advertised by the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division or wholesale branch or division, to be available for immediate delivery. However, the failure to deliver any motor vehicle shall not be considered a violation of this subsection if the failure is due to acts of God, work stoppages or delays due to strikes or labor difficulties, freight embargoes or other causes over which the manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler, or any agent thereof, has no control.

(ii) To coerce, or attempt to coerce any motor vehicle dealer to enter into any agreement, with the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division, or wholesaler branch or division, or officer, agent or other representative thereof, or to do any other act prejudicial to the dealer by threatening to cancel any franchise or any contractual agreement existing between the manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division, or wholesaler branch or division, and the dealer. However, good-faith notice to any motor vehicle dealer of the dealer's violation of any terms or provisions of the franchise or contractual agreement shall not constitute a violation of this subsection.

(iii) To terminate or cancel the franchise or selling agreement of any dealer without due cause. The nonrenewal of a franchise or selling agreement, without due cause, shall constitute an unfair termination or cancellation, regardless of the terms or provisions of such franchise or selling agreement. “Due cause” shall be defined as a breach by the dealer of a material provision of the franchise agreement which breach has not been cured within a reasonable time after the dealer has been given written notice of the breach. The burden of proving that due cause exists shall be upon the party attempting to terminate, cancel or not renew the franchise or selling agreement. The manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division, or wholesaler branch or division, or officer, agent or other representative thereof shall notify a motor vehicle dealer in writing, and forward a copy of the notice to the commission, of the termination or cancellation of the franchise or selling agreement of the dealer at least sixty (60) days before the effective date thereof, stating the specific grounds for such termination or cancellation. The manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, distributor branch or division, factory branch or division, or wholesaler branch or division, or officer, agent or other representative thereof shall notify a motor vehicle dealer in writing, and forward a copy of the notice to the commission, at least sixty (60) days before the contractual term of his franchise or selling agreement expires that the franchise or selling agreement will not be renewed, stating the specific grounds for the nonrenewal, in those cases where there is no intention to renew the franchise or selling agreement. In no event shall the contractual term of any franchise or selling agreement expire, without the written consent of the motor vehicle dealer involved, prior to the expiration of at least sixty (60) days following such written notice. Any motor vehicle dealer who receives written notice that his franchise or selling agreement is being terminated or cancelled or who receives written notice that his franchise or selling agreement will not be renewed, may, within the sixty-day notice period, file with the commission a verified complaint for its determination as to whether the termination or cancellation or nonrenewal is unfair within the purview of the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission Law, and the franchise agreement shall continue in effect until final determination of the issues raised in the complaint notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the law or in the franchise or selling agreement.

(iv) To require, attempt to require, coerce or attempt to coerce a dealer, by franchise agreement or otherwise, or as a condition to the renewal or continuation of a franchise agreement, to materially change the dealer's method of conducting business, not including its facilities, if the change would impose substantial and unreasonable financial hardship on the business of the motor vehicle dealer in light of the business objective of the proposed change, unless the change is voluntarily agreed to by the dealer for separate and valuable consideration.

(v) To offer to sell or to sell any new motor vehicle to any motor vehicle dealer at a lower actual price therefor than the actual price charged to any other motor vehicle dealer for the same model vehicle similarly equipped or to utilize any device, including, but not limited to, sales promotion plans or programs which result in such lesser actual price. The provisions of this subparagraph shall not apply so long as a manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler, or any agent thereof, offers to sell or sells new motor vehicles to all motor vehicle dealers at the same price. This subparagraph shall not be construed to prevent the offering of volume discounts if such discounts are equally available to all franchised motor vehicle dealers of the same line or make in this state.

The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to sales to a motor vehicle dealer of any motor vehicle ultimately sold, donated or used by such dealer in a driver education program, to sales to a motor vehicle dealer for resale to any unit of government, federal, state or local, or to bona fide fleet sales.

(vi) To offer to sell or to sell parts and/or accessories to any new motor vehicle dealer for use in his own business for the purpose of repairing or replacing the same or a comparable part or accessory, at a lower actual price therefor than the actual price charged to any other new motor vehicle dealer for similar parts and/or accessories for use in his own business. However, it is recognized that certain motor vehicle dealers operate and serve as wholesalers of parts and accessories to retail outlets, and nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent a manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler, or any agent thereof, from selling to a motor vehicle dealer who operates and serves as a wholesaler of parts and accessories, the parts and accessories as may be ordered by such motor vehicle dealer for resale to retail outlets, at a lower actual price than the actual price charged a motor vehicle dealer who does not operate or serve as a wholesaler of parts and accessories.

(vii) To prevent or attempt to prevent by contract or otherwise any motor vehicle dealer from changing the capital structure of his dealership or the means by or through which he finances the operation of his dealership, provided the motor vehicle dealer at all times meets any capital standards agreed to between the dealership and the manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler, provided such standards are deemed reasonable by the commission.

(viii) To prevent or attempt to prevent by contract or otherwise any motor vehicle dealer or any officer, partner or stockholder of any motor vehicle dealer from selling or transferring any part of the interest of any of them to any other person or persons or party or parties. However, no motor vehicle dealer, officer, partner or stockholder shall have the right to sell, transfer or assign the franchise or any right thereunder without the consent of the manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(ix) To condition unreasonably the renewal or extension of a franchise on a motor vehicle dealer's substantial renovation of the motor vehicle dealer's place of business or on the construction, purchase, acquisition or rental of a new place of business by the motor vehicle dealer. The manufacturer shall notify the motor vehicle dealer in writing of its intent to impose such a condition within a reasonable time prior to the effective date of the proposed renewal or extension, but in no case less than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the renewal or extension. Upon receipt of written notification, a motor vehicle dealer shall have sixty (60) days to file a protest with the commission, and the manufacturer shall demonstrate to the commission the need for the demand in view of the need to service the public and the economic conditions existing in the motor vehicle industry and the market area served by the motor vehicle dealer at the time the action would be required of the motor vehicle dealer. As part of any such condition the manufacturer shall offer the motor vehicle dealer a reasonable initial supply and model mix of motor vehicles to meet the sales levels necessary to support the increased overhead incurred by the motor vehicle dealer by reason of the renovation, construction, purchase or rental of a new place of business consistent with nationally applied standards.

(x) To require, coerce or attempt to coerce a motor vehicle dealer to refrain from participation in the management of, investment in, the acquisition of, or the current operation of any other line of motor vehicles or related products, as long as the motor vehicle dealer maintains a reasonable line of credit for each dealership and the motor vehicle dealer remains in substantial compliance with reasonable facilities' requirements of the manufacturer or distributor. The reasonable facilities' requirements may not include any requirement that a motor vehicle dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel or display space when the requirements are unreasonable considering current economic conditions in the market area and not otherwise justified by reasonable business considerations. The burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the current economic conditions and reasonable business considerations justify exclusive facilities is on the manufacturer. Voluntary and noncoerced acceptance of such conditions by the motor vehicle dealer in writing for separate and valuable consideration shall not constitute a violation.

(xi) To fail or refuse to sell or offer to sell to all motor vehicle dealers in a line or make, every motor vehicle sold or offered for sale under the franchise agreement to any motor vehicle dealer of the same line or make; or to unreasonably require a motor vehicle dealer to pay an extra fee, purchase unreasonable advertising displays or any other materials, or to unreasonably require the dealer-operator to remodel, renovate or recondition its existing facilities as a prerequisite to receiving a certain model or series of vehicles. However, the failure to deliver any such motor vehicle shall not be considered a violation of this section if the failure is not arbitrary and is due to a lack of manufacturing capacity or to a strike or labor difficulty, a shortage of materials, a freight embargo or other cause of which the manufacturer or distributor has no control. This provision shall not apply to manufacturers of recreational vehicles.

(xii) To condition the sale, transfer, relocation or renewal of a franchise or dealer agreement or to condition sales, services, parts or finance incentives upon site-control agreement; however, voluntary and noncoerced acceptance of such conditions by the motor vehicle dealer in writing, shall not constitute a violation.

(xiii) To assign or change a motor vehicle dealer's market area under the franchise or motor vehicle dealer's agreement arbitrarily or without due regard to the present or projected future pattern of motor vehicle sales and registrations within the motor vehicle dealer's market area, and without first having provided the motor vehicle dealer's with written notice of the change in the motor vehicle dealer's market area and a detailed description of the change and reasons therefor.

(xiv) To attempt to coerce, or coerce, a motor vehicle dealer to adhere to performance standards that are not applied uniformly to other similarly situated motor vehicle dealers.

(xv) To establish any performance standard or program for measuring motor vehicle dealer's performance that may have a material impact on a motor vehicle dealer that is not fair, reasonable and equitable, or applying any such standard or program to a motor vehicle dealer in a manner that is not fair, reasonable and equitable. If dealership performance standards are based on a survey, the manufacturer or distributor shall establish the objectivity of the survey process and provide this information to any motor vehicle dealer covered by the survey request. Within fifteen (15) business days of a request by the motor vehicle dealer, a manufacturer shall disclose in writing to the motor vehicle dealer a description of the performance standard or program and all relevant information used in the application of the performance standard or program to that motor vehicle dealer unless the manufacturer has already provided the information.

(xvi) To increase prices of new motor vehicles which the new motor vehicle dealer had ordered for the ultimate purchasers prior to the motor vehicle dealer's receipt of written official price increase notification. A sales contract signed by the ultimate purchaser that includes model and firm price shall constitute evidence of each such order provided that the vehicle is in fact delivered to that purchaser.

(xvii) To attempt to require, coerce or attempt to coerce any new motor vehicle dealer to sell, offer to sell or sell exclusively an extended service contract, extended maintenance plan or similar product, including, without limitation, GAP products, offered, endorsed or sponsored by the manufacturer or distributor by any of the following means:

1. By an act or statement made by the manufacturer or distributor that will adversely impact the motor vehicle dealer whether it is express or implied; or

2. By a provision in a franchise agreement that the motor vehicle dealer shall sell, offer to sell or sell exclusively an extended service contract, extended warranty plan or similar product offered, endorsed or sponsored by the manufacturer or distributor; or

3. By measuring the motor vehicle dealer's performance under the franchise agreement based on the sale of extended service contracts, extended maintenance plans or similar products offered, endorsed or sponsored by the manufacturer or distributor; or

4. By requiring the motor vehicle dealer to actively promote the sale or extended service contracts, extended maintenance plans or similar products offered, endorsed or sponsored by the manufacturer or distributor.

Nothing in this subparagraph shall prohibit a manufacturer or distributor from providing incentive programs to a new motor vehicle dealer who makes the voluntary decision to offer to sell, sell or sell exclusively an extended service contract, extended maintenance plan or similar product offered, endorsed or sponsored by the manufacturer or distributor.

(xviii) To require a motor vehicle dealer to provide its customer lists or service files to the manufacturer or distributor, unless necessary for the sale and delivery of a new motor vehicle to a consumer, to validate and pay consumer or dealer incentives, for reasonable marketing purposes, for evaluation of dealer performance, for analytics or for the submission to the franchisor for any services supplied by the franchisee for any claim for warranty parts or repairs. Nothing in this section shall limit the franchisor's ability to require or use customer information to satisfy any safety or recall notice obligation or other legal obligation.

(xix) To release or cause to be released a motor vehicle dealer's nonpublic customer information to another motor vehicle dealer unless the franchise has been terminated, the customer has relocated to an address that is outside of the motor vehicle dealer's market area, the customer has transacted business with another motor vehicle dealer of the same brand, a customer has not transacted with the dealer from which a vehicle was purchased for a period of nine (9) months, or the motor vehicle dealer consents to the sharing of customer information with other dealers.

(xx) To coerce, attempt to coerce, require or attempt to require any motor vehicle dealer to provide installment financing with a specified financial institution.

(xxi) To require, coerce or attempt to coerce a dealer or successor dealer to construct or substantially alter a facility or premises if such construction or alteration would be unreasonable under the circumstances.

(xxii) To require, coerce or attempt to coerce a dealer or successor dealer to construct or substantially alter a facility or premises if the same area of the facility or premises has been constructed or substantially altered within the last ten (10) years and the construction or alteration was required and approved by the manufacturer as a part of a program, standard or policy, except for improvements made to comply with health or safety laws, or to accommodate the technology requirements necessary to sell or to service a motor vehicle. As used in this subsection, “ substantially alter ” means an alteration that substantially impacts the architectural features, characteristics, or integrity of a structure or lot. The term does not include routine maintenance reasonably necessary to maintain a dealership in attractive condition, or items directly protected by federal intellectual property rights of the manufacturer. If, during such ten-year period, the manufacturer revises an existing, or establishes a new program, standard, policy, bonus, incentive, rebate, or other benefit for the construction or substantial alteration of a dealership facility or premises, a motor vehicle dealer who completed a facility as a part of a prior program, standard, or policy within the ten-year period and elects not to comply with the applicant's or manufacturer's requirements under the revised or new program, standard, or facility-related policy will not be eligible for any bonus, incentive, rebate, or other benefit under the revised or new program but shall remain entitled to all benefits under the prior program according to the terms of the prior program in place when the dealer began to perform under the program. If the prior program under which the dealer completed a facility construction or substantial alteration does not contain a specific time period during which the manufacturer or distributor must provide payments or benefits to a dealer, then the manufacturer or distributor may not deny the dealer payment or benefits under the terms of that prior program, as it existed when the dealer began to perform under the prior program, for the balance of the ten-year period, regardless of whether the manufacturer's or distributor's facility program has been changed or canceled.

(xxiii) To require, coerce, or attempt to coerce a dealer located in this state to purchase goods or facility construction or maintenance services for items not trademarked or otherwise directly protected by federal intellectual property rights of the manufacturer from a vendor selected, identified, or designated by a manufacturer, distributor, affiliate, or captive finance source when the dealer may obtain goods or facility construction or maintenance services for items not trademarked or otherwise directly protected by federal intellectual property rights of the manufacturer of the same quality, material, and design from a vendor selected by the dealer, provided the dealer obtains prior approval from the manufacturer, distributor or affiliate, for the use of the dealer's selected vendor. Goods shall include signs or sign components to be purchased or leased by the dealer which are not trademarked or otherwise directly protected by the federal intellectual property rights of the manufacturer. Such approval by the manufacturer, distributor or affiliate may not be unreasonably withheld. For purposes of this subparagraph (xxiii), the term “goods” does not include moveable displays, brochures, and promotional materials containing material subject to the intellectual property rights of a manufacturer or distributor, or special tools as reasonably required by the manufacturer, or parts to be used in repairs under warranty or recall obligations of a manufacturer or distributor. If the manufacturer, distributor or affiliate claims that a vendor chosen by the dealer cannot supply goods or facility construction or maintenance services for items not trademarked or otherwise directly protected by federal intellectual property rights of the manufacturer which are the same quality, material, and design, the dealer may file a protest with the commission. When a protest is filed, the commission shall promptly inform the manufacturer, distributor, affiliate, or captive finance source that a protest has been filed. The commission shall conduct a hearing on the merits of the protest within ninety (90) days following the filing of a response to the protest. The manufacturer, distributor or affiliate shall bear the burden of proving that the goods or facility construction or maintenance services for items not trademarked or otherwise directly protected by federal intellectual property rights of the manufacturer chosen by the dealer are not of the same quality, material or design to those required by the manufacturer, distributor or affiliate.

This paragraph (d) shall not apply to manufacturers of motor homes governed by the provisions of Sections 63-17-201 through 63-17-221 .

(2) Concerning any sale of a motor vehicle or vehicles to the State of Mississippi, or to the several counties or municipalities thereof, or to any other political subdivision thereof, no manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler shall offer any discounts, refunds, or any other similar type inducements to any dealer without making the same offer or offers to all other of its dealers within the state. If the inducements above mentioned are made, the manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler shall give simultaneous notice thereof to all of its dealers within the state.

(3) It is unlawful to be a broker. For the purpose of this subsection, “ broker ” means a person who, for a fee, commission or other valuable consideration, arranges or offers to arrange a transaction involving the sale, for purposes other than resale, of a new motor vehicle, and who is not:

(a) A new motor vehicle dealer or agent or employee of such a dealer; or

(b) A distributor or an agent or employee of such a distributor.

However, an individual shall not be deemed to be a broker if he or she is the owner of the new or used motor vehicle which is the object of the brokering transaction.

(4)(a) For purposes of this subsection, the term “ Stop-Sale ” or “ Do-Not-Drive ” order means a notification issued by a manufacturer to its franchised new motor vehicle dealers stating that certain used vehicles in inventory shall not be sold or leased, at either retail or wholesale, due to a federal safety recall for a defect or noncompliance, or a federal emissions recall.

(b) A manufacturer shall compensate its new motor vehicle dealers for all labor and parts required by the manufacturer to perform recall repairs. Compensation for recall repairs shall be reasonable. If parts or a remedy are not reasonably available to perform a recall service or repair on a used vehicle held for sale by a dealer authorized to sell and service new vehicles of the same line-make within thirty (30) days of the manufacturer issuing the initial notice of recall, and the manufacturer has issued a Stop-Sale or Do-Not-Drive order on the vehicle, the manufacturer shall compensate the dealer at a prorated rate of at least one percent (1%) of the value of the vehicle per month beginning on the date that is thirty (30) days after the date on which the Stop-Sale or Do-Not-Drive order was provided to the dealer until the earlier of either of the following:

(i) The date the recall or remedy parts are made available; or

(ii) The date the dealer sells, trades, or otherwise disposes of the affected used motor vehicle.

(c) The value of a used vehicle shall be the average trade-in value for used vehicles as indicated in an independent third party guide for the year, make, and model, of the recalled vehicle.

(d) This subsection shall apply only to used vehicles subject to safety or emissions recalls pursuant to and recalled in accordance with federal law and regulations adopted thereunder and where a Stop-Sale or Do-Not-Drive order has been issued and repair parts or remedy remain unavailable for thirty (30) days or longer. This subsection further shall apply only to new motor vehicle dealers holding an affected used vehicle for sale:

(i) In inventory at the time the Stop-Sale or Do-Not-Drive order was issued; or

(ii) Which was taken in the used vehicle inventory of the dealer as a consumer trade-in incident to the purchase of a new vehicle from the dealer after the Stop-Sale or Do-Not-Drive order was issued; and

(iii) That are a line-make that the dealer is franchised to sell or on which the dealer is authorized to perform recall repairs.

(e) It shall be a violation of this subsection for a manufacturer to reduce the amount of compensation otherwise owed to an individual new motor vehicle dealer, whether through a chargeback, removal of the individual dealer from an incentive program or reduction in amount owed under an incentive program solely because the new motor vehicle dealer has submitted a claim for reimbursement under this subsection. This subsection shall not apply to an action by a manufacturer that is applied uniformly among all dealers of the same line-make in the state.

(f) All reimbursement claims made by new motor vehicle dealers pursuant to this subsection for recall remedies or repairs, or for compensation where no part or repair is reasonably available and the vehicle is subject to a Stop-Sale or Do-Not-Drive order shall be subject to the same limitations and requirements as a warranty reimbursement claim made under paragraph (j) of Section 63-17-85 . In the alternative, a manufacturer may compensate its franchised dealers under a national recall compensation program provided the compensation under the program is equal to or greater than that provided under paragraph (b) of this subsection (4); or the manufacturer and dealer otherwise agree.

(g) A manufacturer may direct the manner and method in which a dealer must demonstrate the inventory status of an affected used motor vehicle to determine eligibility under this subsection, provided that the manner and method may not be unduly burdensome and may not require information that is unduly burdensome to the dealer.

(h) Nothing in this subsection shall require a manufacturer to provide total compensation to a dealer which would exceed the total average trade-in value of the affected used motor vehicle as originally determined under paragraph (b) of this subsection (4).

(i) If a recall remedy for an affected use motor vehicle is available under a federal statute or regulation, then a dealer may opt to be compensated under either the federal statute or authority of this subsection but may not combine the remedies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-17 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Section 21-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-17
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Revenue shall examine each application received and, when satisfied as to its genuineness and regularity and that the applicant is entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title, shall issue a certificate of title of the vehicle, manufactured home or mobile home on the form prescribed by the department.

(2) The Department of Revenue shall maintain a record of all certificates of title issued for fifteen (15) years from the date of issuance, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter:

(a) Under a distinctive title number assigned to the vehicle, manufactured home or mobile home;

(b) Under the vehicle identification number;

(c) Under the name of the owner; and

(d) In the discretion of the Department of Revenue, by any other method the department determines.

(3) The Department of Revenue shall maintain a record of each affidavit of affixation filed in accordance with subsections (3) , (4) and (5) of Section 63-21-30 . The record shall state the name and mailing address of each owner of the related manufactured home, the county of recordation, the date of recordation, and the book and page number of each book of records in which there has been recorded an affidavit of affixation under subsections (1) and (2) of Section 63-21-30 , the name of the manufacturer, the make, the model name, the model year, the dimensions, and the manufacturer's serial number or VIN of the manufactured home or mobile home, to the extent that such data exists, and any other information the Department of Revenue prescribes.

(4) The Department of Revenue shall maintain a record of each manufacturer's certificate of origin submitted for the purpose of effectuating the retirement of title as provided in Section 63-21-30 . The record shall state the name and mailing address of each owner of the manufactured home, the date the manufacturer's certificate of origin was submitted, the county of recordation, the date of recordation, and the book and page number of each book of records in which there has been recorded an affidavit of affixation under subsections (1) and (2) of Section 63-21-30 , the name of the manufacturer, the make, the model name, the model year, the dimensions, and the manufacturer's serial number or VIN of the manufactured home or mobile home, to the extent that such data exists, and any other information the Department of Revenue prescribes.

(5) The Department of Revenue shall maintain a record of each certificate of title accepted for surrender as provided in subsection (5) of Section 63-21-30 . The record shall state the name and mailing address of each owner of the manufactured home, the date the certificate of title was accepted for surrender, the county of recordation, the date of recordation, and the book and page number of each book of records in which there has been recorded an affidavit of affixation under subsections (1) and (2) of Section 63-21-30 , the name of the manufacturer, the make, the model name, the model year, the dimensions, and the manufacturer's serial number or VIN of the manufactured home or mobile home, to the extent that such data exists, and any other information the Department of Revenue prescribes.

(6) The Department of Revenue shall maintain a record of each affidavit of severance filed in accordance with subsection (6) of Section 63-21-30 . The record shall state the name and mailing address of each owner of the related manufactured home, the county of recordation, the date of recordation, and the book and page number of each book of records in which there has been recorded an affidavit of severance under subsection (6) of Section 63-21-30 , the name of the manufacturer, the make, the model name, the model year, the dimensions, and the manufacturer's serial number or VIN of the manufactured home or mobile home, to the extent that such data exists, and any other information the Department of Revenue prescribes.

(7) Records of affidavits of affixation, submitted manufacturer's certificates of origin, surrendered certificates of title, and affidavits of severance shall be maintained permanently and be subject to public records request. The records of affidavits of affixation, submitted manufacturer's certificates of origin, and surrendered certificates of title shall include a statement that the manufactured home is real property as provided in subsections (13) and (14) of Section 63-21-30 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-49 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Section 21-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-49
Status: in_force

(1) Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a vehicle, manufactured home or mobile home for which the certificate of title is in the possession of the lienholder, he shall, within ten (10) days after demand and, in any event, within thirty (30) days, execute a release of his security interest, in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the State Tax Commission prescribes, and mail or deliver the certificate and release to the next lienholder named therein, or, if none, to the owner or any person who delivers to the lienholder an authorization from the owner to receive the certificate. The owner other than a dealer holding the vehicle, manufactured home or mobile home for resale, shall promptly cause the certificate and release to be mailed or delivered to the commission, who shall release the lienholder's rights on the certificate or issue a new certificate.

(2) Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a vehicle, manufactured home or mobile home for which the certificate of title is in the possession of a prior lienholder, the lienholder whose security interest is satisfied shall within ten (10) days after demand and, in any event, within thirty (30) days execute a release in the form the commission prescribes and deliver the release to the owner or any person who delivers to the lienholder an authorization from the owner to receive it. The lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall either deliver the certificate to the owner, or the person authorized by him, for delivery to the commission or, upon receipt of the release, mail or deliver it with the certificate to the commission who shall release the subordinate lienholder's rights on the certificate or issue a new certificate.

(3) Upon receipt of the aforementioned releases of security interests, the commission shall file each release in the manner prescribed by the commission and note the same upon the records of notices of security interests maintained by it.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-7-7 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-7-7
Status: in_force

It is a misdemeanor for any person to drive or move or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such unsafe condition as to endanger any person, or which does not contain those parts or is not at all times equipped with such lamps and other equipment in proper condition and adjustment as required in this chapter, or which is equipped in any manner in violation of this chapter, or for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required under this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-55 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-55
Status: in_force

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission Law, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(a) “ Motor vehicle ” means any motor-driven vehicle of the sort and kind required to have a Mississippi road or bridge privilege license, and shall include, but not be limited to, motorcycles. “ Motor vehicle ” shall also mean an engine, transmission, or rear axle manufactured for installation in a vehicle having as its primary purpose the transport of person or persons or property on a public highway and having a gross vehicle weight rating of more than sixteen thousand (16,000) pounds, whether or not attached to a vehicle chassis. The term “motor vehicle” excludes electric bicycles and personal delivery devices.

(b) “ Motor vehicle dealer ” or “ dealer ” means any person, firm, partnership, copartnership, association, corporation, trust or legal entity, not excluded by paragraph (c) of this section, who holds a bona fide contract or franchise in effect with a manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler of new motor vehicles, and a license under the provisions of the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission Law, and such duly franchised and licensed motor vehicle dealers shall be the sole and only persons, firms, partnerships, copartnerships, associations, corporations, trusts or legal entities entitled to sell and publicly or otherwise solicit and advertise for sale new motor vehicles as such.

(c) The term “motor vehicle dealer” does not include:

(i) Receivers, trustees, administrators, executors, guardians or other persons appointed by or acting under judgment, decree or order of any court;

(ii) Public officers while performing their duties as such officers;

(iii) Employees of persons, corporations or associations enumerated in paragraph (c)(i) of this section when engaged in the specific performance of their duties as such employees; or

(iv) A motor vehicle manufacturer operating a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) 1 ; and the provisions of the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission Law shall not apply to:

1. a. Any lease by such a motor vehicle manufacturer of three (3) or fewer motor vehicles at any one time and related vehicle maintenance, of any line of vehicle produced by the manufacturer or its subsidiaries, to any one (1) employee of the motor vehicle manufacturer on a direct basis; or

b. Any sale or other disposition of such motor vehicles by the motor vehicle manufacturer at the end of a lease through direct sales to employees of the manufacturer or through an open auction or auction limited to dealers of the manufacturer's vehicle line or its subsidiaries' vehicle lines; or

2. Any sale or other disposition by such a motor vehicle manufacturer of motor vehicles for which the manufacturer obtained distinguishing number tags under Section 27-19-309(8) .

(d) “ New motor vehicle ” means a motor vehicle which has not been previously sold to any person except a distributor or wholesaler or motor vehicle dealer for resale.

(e) “ Ultimate purchaser ” means, with respect to any new motor vehicle, the first person, other than a motor vehicle dealer purchasing in his capacity as such dealer, who in good-faith purchases such new motor vehicle for purposes other than for resale.

(f) “ Retail sale ” or “ sale at retail ” means the act or attempted act of selling, bartering, exchanging or otherwise disposing of a new motor vehicle to an ultimate purchaser for use as a consumer.

(g) “ Motor vehicle salesman ” means any person who is employed as a salesman by a motor vehicle dealer whose duties include the selling or offering for sale of new motor vehicles.

(h) “ Commission ” means the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission.

(i) “ Manufacturer ” means any person, firm, association, corporation or trust, resident or nonresident, who manufactures or assembles new motor vehicles.

(j) “ Distributor ” or “ wholesaler ” means any person, firm, association, corporation or trust, resident or nonresident, who, in whole or in part, sells or distributes new motor vehicles to motor vehicle dealers, or who maintains distributor representatives.

(k) “ Factory branch ” means a branch or division office maintained by a person, firm, association, corporation or trust who manufactures or assembles new motor vehicles for sale to distributors or wholesalers, to motor vehicle dealers, or for directing or supervising, in whole or in part, its representatives.

(l) “ Distributor branch ” means a branch or division office similarly maintained by a distributor or wholesaler for the same purposes a factory branch or division is maintained.

(m) “ Factory representative ” means a representative employed by a person, firm, association, corporation or trust who manufactures or assembles new motor vehicles, or by a factory branch, for the purpose of making or promoting the sale of his, its or their new motor vehicles, or for supervising or contacting his, its or their dealers or prospective dealers.

(n) “ Distributor representative ” means a representative similarly employed by a distributor, distributor branch or wholesaler.

(o) “ Person ” means and includes, individually and collectively, individuals, firms, partnerships, copartnerships, associations, corporations and trusts, or any other forms of business enterprise, or any legal entity.

(p) “ Good faith ” means the duty of each party to any franchise agreement, and all officers, employees or agents of such party, to act in a fair and equitable manner toward each other in the performance of the respective obligations under the franchise agreement.

(q) “ Coerce ” means to compel or attempt to compel by threat or duress. However, recommendation, exposition, persuasion, urging or argument shall not be deemed to constitute coercion.

(r) “Special tools” are those which a dealer was required to purchase by the manufacturer or distributor for service on that manufacturer's product.

(s) “ Motor vehicle lessor ” means any person, not excluded by paragraph (c) of this section, engaged in the motor vehicle leasing or rental business.

(t) “ Specialty vehicle ” means a motor vehicle manufactured by a second stage manufacturer by purchasing motor vehicle components, e.g. frame and drive train, and completing the manufacturer of finished motor vehicles for the purpose of resale with the primary manufacturer warranty unimpaired, to a limited commercial market rather than the consuming public. Specialty vehicles include garbage trucks, ambulances, fire trucks, buses, limousines, hearses and other similar limited purpose vehicles as the commission may by regulation provide.

(u) “ Auto auction ” means (i) any person who provides a place of business or facilities for the wholesale exchange of motor vehicles by and between duly licensed motor vehicle dealers, (ii) any motor vehicle dealer licensed to sell used motor vehicles selling motor vehicles using an auction format but not on consignment, or (iii) any person who provides the facilities for or is in the business of selling in an auction format motor vehicles.

(v) “ Motor home ” means a motor vehicle that is designed and constructed primarily to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping or travel use.

(w) “ Dealer-operator ” means the individual designated in the franchise agreement as the operator of the motor vehicle dealership.

(x) “ Franchise ” or “ franchise agreement ” means a written contract or agreement between a motor vehicle dealer and a manufacturer or its distributor or factory branch by which the motor vehicle dealer is authorized to engage in the business of selling or leasing the specific makes, models or classifications of new motor vehicles marketed or leased by the manufacturer and designated in the agreement or any addendum to such agreement.

(y) “ Net cost ” means the price the motor vehicle dealer pays for new motor vehicles, supplies, parts, equipment, signs, furnishings and special tools, minus any applicable discounts or subsidies obtained by the motor vehicle dealer.

(z) “ Line or make ” means a collection of models, series, or groups of motor vehicles manufactured by or for a particular manufacturer, distributor or importer offered for sale, lease or distribution pursuant to a common trademark, service mark or brand name; however:

(i) Multiple brand names or marks may constitute a single line or make, but only when included in a common motor vehicle dealer agreement and the manufacturer, distributor or importer offers such vehicles bearing the multiple names of marks together only, and not separately, to its authorized motor vehicle dealers.

(ii) Motor vehicles bearing a common brand name or mark may constitute separate line or makes when such vehicles are of different vehicle types or are intended for different types of use, provided that either:

1. The manufacturer has expressly defined or covered the subject line or makes of vehicles as separate and distinct line or makes in the applicable dealer agreements; or

2. The manufacturer has consistently characterized the subject vehicles as constituting separate and distinct line or makes to its dealer network.

(aa) “ Site-control agreement ” or “ exclusive use agreement ” means an agreement that, regardless of its name, title, form or the parties entering into it, has the effect of:

(i) Controlling the use and development of the premises of a motor vehicle dealer's franchise or facilities;

(ii) Requiring a motor vehicle dealer to establish or maintain an exclusive motor vehicle dealership facility on the premises of the motor vehicle dealer's franchise or facility;

(iii) Restricting the power or authority of the dealer or the lessor, if the motor vehicle dealer leases the dealership premises, to transfer, sell, lease, develop, redevelop or change the use of the dealership premises, whether by sublease, lease, collateral pledge of lease, right of first refusal to purchase or lease, option to purchase or lease or any similar arrangement; or

(iv) Establishing a valuation process or formula for the motor vehicle dealership premises that does not allow for the motor vehicle dealership premises to be transferred, sold or leased by the motor vehicle dealer at the highest and best use valuation for the motor vehicle dealership premises.

(bb) “ Market area ” means the area of responsibility set forth in the franchise agreement.

(cc) “ Core parts ” means those original vehicle manufacturer parts that are listed in the original vehicle manufacturer's or distributor's current parts catalog, for which there is a core charge and which are returnable to the manufacturer or distributor.

(dd) “ Pre-delivery preparation obligations ” means all work and services, except warranty work, performed on new motor vehicles by motor vehicle dealers at the direction of the vehicle manufacturer prior to the delivery of such vehicles to the first retail consumer.

(ee) “ Warranty work ” means all labor, including that of a diagnostic character, performed, and all parts, including original or replacement parts, and components, including engine, transmission, and other parts assemblies, installed by motor vehicle dealers on motor vehicles which are reasonably incurred by motor vehicle dealers (other than the incidental expenses incurred in performing labor and installing parts on motor vehicles) in fulfilling a manufacturer's obligations under a new motor vehicle warranty, a recall, or a certified pre-owned warranty, to consumers, including, but not limited to, the expense of shipping or returning defective parts to the manufacturer, when required by the manufacturer.

(ff) “ Repair order ” means an invoice, paid by a retail customer, and closed as of the time of submission, encompassing one or more repairs to a new motor vehicle, and reflecting, in the case of a parts mark-up submission, the cost of each part and the sale price thereof, and in the case of a labor rate submission, the total charges for labor and the total number of hours that produced such charges, which invoice may be submitted in electronic form.

(gg) “ Qualified repair ” means a repair to a motor vehicle, paid by a retail customer, which would have come within the manufacturer's new motor vehicle warranty, but for the motor vehicle having exceeded the chronological or mileage limit of such warranty, and which does not constitute any of the work encompassed by subsection (4) of Section 63-17-86 .

(hh) “ Qualified repair order ” means a repair order which encompasses, in whole or in part, a qualified repair or repairs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-5 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 2 / Section 11-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-5
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Any person who operates a motor vehicle upon the public highways, public roads or streets of this state shall be deemed to have given his consent, subject to the provisions of this chapter, to a chemical test or tests of his breath, blood or urine for the purpose of determining alcohol concentration. A person shall give his consent to a chemical test or tests of his breath, blood or urine for the purpose of determining the presence in his body of any other substance which would impair a person's ability to operate a motor vehicle.

(b) The test or tests shall be administered at the direction of any authorized officer, when such officer has reasonable grounds and probable cause to believe that the person was driving or had under his actual physical control a motor vehicle upon the public streets or highways of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any other substance which had impaired such person's ability to operate a motor vehicle.

(2)(a) A breath analysis test must be administered by a person who has met all the educational and training requirements of the appropriate course of study prescribed by the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training; however, sheriffs and elected chiefs of police are exempt from the educational and training requirement. A breath analysis test must not be given to any person within fifteen (15) minutes of consumption of any substance by mouth.

(b) For purposes of this section, the term “ authorized officer ” means any highway patrol officer, commercial motor carrier inspector, sheriff or his duly commissioned deputies, police officer in any incorporated municipality, national park ranger, officer of a state-supported institution of higher learning campus police force if such officer is exercising this authority in regard to a violation that occurred on campus property, or security officer appointed and commissioned pursuant to the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District Security Officer Law of 1978 if such officer is exercising this authority in regard to a violation that occurred within the limits of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District.

(3) If the officer has reasonable grounds and probable cause to believe such person to have been driving a motor vehicle upon the public highways, public roads or streets of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any other substance that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle, the officer shall inform the person that his failure to submit to such chemical test or tests of his breath, blood or urine shall result in the suspension of his privilege to operate a motor vehicle upon the public streets, roads or highways of this state for a period of ninety (90) days if the person has not previously been convicted of a violation of Section 63-11-30 , or for a period of one (1) year if the person has a prior conviction under Section 63-11-30 .

(4) The traffic ticket, citation or affidavit issued to a person arrested for a violation of this chapter shall conform to the requirements of Section 63-9-21(3)(b) and, if filed electronically, shall conform to Section 63-9-21(8) .

(5) Any person arrested under the provisions of this chapter shall be informed that he has the right to telephone for the purpose of requesting legal or medical assistance immediately after being booked for a violation under this chapter.

(6) The Commissioner of Public Safety and the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory created pursuant to Section 45-1-17 are authorized to adopt procedures, rules and regulations applicable to the Implied Consent Law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-32-1 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Section 32-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-32-1
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter:

(a) “ Golf cart ” means a motor vehicle that is designated and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes, is not capable of exceeding speeds of twenty (20) miles per hour, and is equipped with safety equipment as required under 49 CFR Section 571.500 .

(b) “ Low-speed vehicle ” means any four-wheeled electric or gasoline-powered vehicle that has a top speed greater than twenty (20) miles per hour but less than twenty-five (25) miles per hour and is equipped with safety equipment as required under 49 CFR Section 571.500 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-507 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-507
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-507
Status: in_force

In every charge of violation of Sections 63-3-501 through 63-3-505, and subsection (2) of Section 63-3-509 the complaint as well as the summons or notice to appear, shall specify the speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven as well as the speed applicable within the district or at the location.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-74 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-74
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-74
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for a person to sell a motor vehicle that is not titled and registered in the name of that person unless the person is:

(a) An heir, successor or assignee of the owner of the motor vehicle;

(b) A motor vehicle dealer licensed or permitted in the State of Mississippi to sell motor vehicles;

(c) A person selling a motor vehicle to a licensed used motor vehicle parts dealer or scrap metal processor in compliance with Section 63-21-39 ;

(d) A person selling a motor vehicle under the Mississippi Title Pledge Act;

(e) An insurance company or its authorized agent selling a motor vehicle that is the subject of an insurance claim;

(f) A finance company or bank selling a motor vehicle; or

(g) A wrecker service or automobile repair service/business selling a motor vehicle that is legally being held for sale as merchandise.

All local and state law enforcement agencies have jurisdiction to enforce this section.

(2) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per violation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-35-11 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 16 / Section 35-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-35-11
Status: in_force

Before operating a fully autonomous vehicle on public roads in this state without a human driver, a person shall file proof of financial responsibility satisfactory to the Department of Public Safety that the fully autonomous vehicle is covered by insurance or proof of self-insurance that satisfies the requirements of Section 63-15-37 , 63-15-39 , 63-15-41 , 63-15-43 , 63-15-49 , 63-15-51 or 63-15-53 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-137 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-137
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-137
Status: in_force

Sections 63-17-131 through 63-17-137 shall not affect any contract existing as of October 2, 1935, between any person, partnership, association of persons or corporation acting as the agent, dealer or representative of any motor vehicle manufacturer, nor shall they affect the relationship of any parties now acting as the agent, dealer or representative of any manufacturer without contract in this state. If any motor vehicle manufacturer should, after said date, without good cause or without tendering reimbursement for the damage or injury sustained by its agent, dealer or representative, cancel the existing contract or should without good cause refuse to continue the business relationship existing between manufacturer and agent, dealer or representative without contract the dealer, agent or representative so injured by the loss of his or its dealership, agency or representation may sue and recover all actual damages sustained by him, it or them. For a violation of the provisions of Sections 63-17-131 through 63-17-139 a domestic corporation shall forfeit its charter and a foreign corporation shall forfeit its right to do business in this state and shall also forfeit not less than $500.00 nor more than $1,000.00 to the State of Mississippi and shall be proceeded against by the attorney general in the manner and form as provided for a quo warranto proceeding or injunction under the laws of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-63 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Section 21-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-63
Status: in_force

There shall be paid to the Department of Revenue for issuing and processing documents required by this chapter, fees for motor vehicles according to the following schedule:

(a)

Each application for certificate of title issued under Section 63-21-9(2)․․․․․․․․․․․

$ 9.00

(b)

Each application for certificate of title not issued under Section 63-21-9(2)․․․․․․․

9.00

(c)

Each application for replacement or corrected certificate of title․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

9.00

(d)

Each suspension or revocation of certificate of title․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

9.00

(e)

Each notice of security interest․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

9.00

(f)

Each release of security interest․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

9.00

(g)

Each assignment by lienholder․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

9.00

(h)

Each application for information as to the status of the title of a vehicle․․․․․․․․․

9.00

The designated agent may add the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) to each document processed for which a fee is charged to be retained as his commission for services rendered. All other fees collected shall be remitted to the department.

If more than one (1) transaction is involved in any application on a single vehicle and if supported by all required documents, the fee charged by the department and by the designated agent for processing and issuing shall be considered as only one (1) transaction.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-35-11 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 27 / Section 35-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-35-11
Status: in_force

Before operating a fully autonomous vehicle on public roads in this state without a human driver, a person shall file proof of financial responsibility satisfactory to the Department of Public Safety that the fully autonomous vehicle is covered by insurance or proof of self-insurance that satisfies the requirements of Section 63-15-37 , 63-15-39 , 63-15-41 , 63-15-43 , 63-15-49 , 63-15-51 or 63-15-53 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-30 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 1 / Section 11-30
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-30
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for a person to drive or otherwise operate a vehicle within this state if the person:

(a) Is under the influence of intoxicating liquor;

(b) Is under the influence of any other substance that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle;

(c) Is under the influence of any drug or controlled substance, the possession of which is unlawful under the Mississippi Controlled Substances Law; or

(d) Has an alcohol concentration in the person's blood, based upon grams of alcohol per one hundred (100) milliliters of blood, or grams of alcohol per two hundred ten (210) liters of breath, as shown by a chemical analysis of the person's breath, blood or urine administered as authorized by this chapter, of:

(i) Eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more for a person who is above the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law;

(ii) Two one-hundredths percent (.02%) or more for a person who is below the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law; or

(iii) Four one-hundredths percent (.04%) or more for a person operating a commercial motor vehicle.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section (Zero Tolerance for Minors):

(a) First offense DUI. (i) Upon conviction of any person for the first offense of violating subsection (1) of this section where chemical tests under Section 63-11-5 were given, or where chemical test results are not available, the person shall be fined not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisoned for not more than forty-eight (48) hours in jail, or both; the court shall order the person to attend and complete an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32 within six (6) months of sentencing. The court may substitute attendance at a victim impact panel instead of forty-eight (48) hours in jail.

(ii) Suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216 .

(iii) A qualifying first offense may be nonadjudicated by the court under subsection (14) of this section. The holder of a commercial driver's license or a commercial learning permit at the time of the offense is ineligible for nonadjudication.

(iv) Eligibility for an interlock-restricted license is governed by Section 63-11-31 and suspension of regular driving privileges is governed by Section 63-11-23 .

(b) Second offense DUI. (i) Upon any second conviction of any person violating subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, fined not less than Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) nor more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00), shall be imprisoned not less than five (5) days nor more than six (6) months and sentenced to community service work for not less than ten (10) days nor more than six (6) months. The minimum penalties shall not be suspended or reduced by the court and no prosecutor shall offer any suspension or sentence reduction as part of a plea bargain.

(ii) Suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216 .

(iii) Eligibility for an interlock-restricted license is governed by Section 63-11-31 and suspension of regular driving privileges is governed by Section 63-11-23 .

(c) Third offense DUI. (i) For a third conviction of a person for violating subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person shall be guilty of a felony and fined not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), and shall serve not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections. For any offense that does not result in serious injury or death to any person, the sentence of incarceration may be served in the county jail rather than in the State Penitentiary at the discretion of the circuit court judge. The minimum penalties shall not be suspended or reduced by the court and no prosecutor shall offer any suspension or sentence reduction as part of a plea bargain.

(ii) The suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216 .

(iii) The suspension of regular driving privileges is governed by Section 63-11-23 .

(d) Fourth and subsequent offense DUI. (i) For any fourth or subsequent conviction of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, without regard to the time period within which the violations occurred, the person shall be guilty of a felony and fined not less than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and shall serve not less than two (2) years nor more than ten (10) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections.

(ii) The suspension of commercial driving privileges is governed by Section 63-1-216 .

(iii) A person convicted of a fourth or subsequent offense is ineligible to exercise the privilege to operate a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition-interlock device for ten (10) years.

(e) Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section shall receive an in-depth diagnostic assessment, and if as a result of the assessment is determined to be in need of treatment for alcohol or drug abuse, the person must successfully complete treatment at a program site certified by the Department of Mental Health. Each person who receives a diagnostic assessment shall pay a fee representing the cost of the assessment. Each person who participates in a treatment program shall pay a fee representing the cost of treatment.

(f) The use of ignition-interlock devices is governed by Section 63-11-31 .

(3) Zero tolerance for minors. (a) This subsection shall be known and may be cited as Zero Tolerance for Minors. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only when a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years has a blood alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths percent (.02%) or more, but lower than eight one-hundredths percent (.08%). If the person's blood alcohol concentration is eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more, the provisions of subsection (2) shall apply.

(b)(i) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) is eligible for nonadjudication of a qualifying first offense by the court pursuant to subsection (14) of this section.

(ii) Upon conviction of any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years for the first offense of violating subsection (1) of this section where chemical tests provided for under Section 63-11-5 were given, or where chemical test results are not available, the person shall be fined Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00); the court shall order the person to attend and complete an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32 within six (6) months. The court may also require attendance at a victim impact panel.

(c) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) years who is convicted of a second violation of subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(d) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) years who is convicted of a third or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).

(e) License suspension is governed by Section 63-11-23 and ignition interlock is governed by Section 63-11-31 .

(f) Any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years convicted of a third or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section must complete treatment of an alcohol or drug abuse program at a site certified by the Department of Mental Health.

(4) DUI test refusal. In addition to the other penalties provided in this section, every person refusing a law enforcement officer's request to submit to a chemical test of the person's breath as provided in this chapter, or who was unconscious at the time of a chemical test and refused to consent to the introduction of the results of the test in any prosecution, shall suffer an additional administrative suspension of driving privileges as set forth in Section 63-11-23 .

(5) Aggravated DUI. (a)(i) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (a), every person who operates any motor vehicle in violation of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section and who in a negligent manner causes the death of another or mutilates, disfigures, permanently disables or destroys the tongue, eye, lip, nose or any other limb, organ or member of another shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a separate felony for each victim who suffers death, mutilation, disfigurement or other injury and shall be committed to the custody of the State Department of Corrections for a period of time of not less than five (5) years and not to exceed twenty-five (25) years for each death, mutilation, disfigurement or other injury, and the imprisonment for the second or each subsequent conviction, in the discretion of the court, shall commence either at the termination of the imprisonment for the preceding conviction or run concurrently with the preceding conviction. Any person charged with causing the death of another as described in this subsection shall be required to post bail before being released after arrest.

(ii) Every person who is below the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages under state law and has an alcohol concentration in the person's blood, based upon grams of alcohol per one hundred (100) milliliters of blood, or grams of alcohol per two hundred ten (210) liters of breath, as shown by a chemical analysis of the person's breath, blood or urine administered as authorized by this chapter, of eight one-hundredths percent (0.08%) or more and who in a negligent manner causes the death of another or mutilates, disfigures, permanently disables or destroys the tongue, eye, lip, nose or any other limb, organ or member of another shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a separate felony for each victim who suffers death, mutilation, disfigurement or other injury and shall be committed to the custody of the State Department of Corrections for a period of time not less than five (5) years and not to exceed twenty-five (25) years for each death, mutilation, disfigurement or other injury, and the imprisonment for the second or each subsequent conviction, in the discretion of the court, shall commence either at the termination of the imprisonment for the preceding conviction or run concurrently with the preceding conviction. Any such person charged with causing the death of another as described in this subparagraph shall be required to post bail before being released after arrest.

(b) A holder of a commercial driver's license who is convicted of operating a commercial motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of eight one-hundredths percent (.08%) or more shall be guilty of a felony and shall be committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not less than two (2) years and not more than ten (10) years.

(c) The court shall order an ignition-interlock restriction on the offender's privilege to drive as a condition of probation or post-release supervision not to exceed five (5) years unless a longer restriction is required under other law. The ignition-interlock restriction shall not be applied to commercial license privileges until the driver serves the full disqualification period required by Section 63-1-216 .

(6) DUI citations. (a) Upon conviction of a violation of subsection (1) of this section, the trial judge shall sign in the place provided on the traffic ticket, citation or affidavit stating that the person arrested either employed an attorney or waived his right to an attorney after having been properly advised. If the person arrested employed an attorney, the name, address and telephone number of the attorney shall be written on the ticket, citation or affidavit. The court clerk must immediately send a copy of the traffic ticket, citation or affidavit, and any other pertinent documents concerning the conviction or other order of the court, to the Department of Public Safety as provided in Section 63-11-37 .

(b) A copy of the traffic ticket, citation or affidavit and any other pertinent documents, having been attested as true and correct by the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his designee, shall be sufficient proof of the conviction for purposes of determining the enhanced penalty for any subsequent convictions of violations of subsection (1) of this section. The Department of Public Safety shall maintain a central database for verification of prior offenses and convictions.

(7) Out-of-state prior convictions. Convictions in another state, territory or possession of the United States, or under the law of a federally recognized Native American tribe, of violations for driving or operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or while under the influence of any other substance that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle occurring within five (5) years before an offense shall be counted for the purposes of determining if a violation of subsection (1) of this section is a second, third, fourth or subsequent offense and the penalty that shall be imposed upon conviction for a violation of subsection (1) of this section.

(8) Charging of subsequent offenses. (a) For the purposes of determining how to impose the sentence for a second, third, fourth or subsequent conviction under this section, the affidavit or indictment shall not be required to enumerate previous convictions. It shall only be necessary that the affidavit or indictment states the number of times that the defendant has been convicted and sentenced within the past five (5) years for a second or third offense, or without a time limitation for a fourth or subsequent offense, under this section to determine if an enhanced penalty shall be imposed. The amount of fine and imprisonment imposed in previous convictions shall not be considered in calculating offenses to determine a second, third, fourth or subsequent offense of this section.

(b) Before a defendant enters a plea of guilty to an offense under this section, law enforcement must submit certification to the prosecutor that the defendant's driving record, the confidential registry and National Crime Information Center record have been searched for all prior convictions, nonadjudications, pretrial diversions and arrests for driving or operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or while under the influence of any other substance that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. The results of the search must be included in the certification.

(9) License eligibility for underage offenders. A person who is under the legal age to obtain a license to operate a motor vehicle at the time of the offense and who is convicted under this section shall not be eligible to receive a driver's license until the person reaches the age of eighteen (18) years.

(10) License suspensions and restrictions to run consecutively. Suspension or restriction of driving privileges for any person convicted of or nonadjudicated for violations of subsection (1) of this section shall run consecutively to and not concurrently with any other administrative license suspension.

(11) Ignition interlock. If the court orders installation and use of an ignition-interlock device as provided in Section 63-11-31 for every vehicle operated by a person convicted or nonadjudicated under this section, each device shall be installed, maintained and removed as provided in Section 63-11-31 .

(12) DUI child endangerment. A person over the age of twenty-one (21) who violates subsection (1) of this section while transporting in a motor vehicle a child under the age of sixteen (16) years is guilty of the separate offense of endangering a child by driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. The offense of endangering a child by driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle shall not be merged with an offense of violating subsection (1) of this section for the purposes of prosecution and sentencing. An offender who is convicted of a violation of this subsection shall be punished as follows:

(a) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which does not result in the serious injury or death of a child and which is a first conviction shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or shall be imprisoned for not more than twelve (12) months, or both;

(b) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which does not result in the serious injury or death of a child and which is a second conviction shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or shall be imprisoned for one (1) year, or both;

(c) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which does not result in the serious injury or death of a child and which is a third or subsequent conviction shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or shall be imprisoned for not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or both; and

(d) A person who commits a violation of this subsection which results in the serious injury or death of a child, without regard to whether the offense was a first, second, third or subsequent offense, shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and shall be imprisoned for not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty-five (25) years.

(13) Expunction. (a) Any person convicted under subsection (2) or (3) of this section of a first offense of driving under the influence and who was not the holder of a commercial driver's license or a commercial learning permit at the time of the offense may petition the circuit court of the county in which the conviction was had for an order to expunge the record of the conviction at least five (5) years after successful completion of all terms and conditions of the sentence imposed for the conviction. Expunction under this subsection will only be available to a person:

(i) Who has successfully completed all terms and conditions of the sentence imposed for the conviction;

(ii) Who did not refuse to submit to a test of his blood or breath;

(iii) Whose blood alcohol concentration tested below sixteen one-hundredths percent (.16%) if test results are available;

(iv) Who has not been convicted of and does not have pending any other offense of driving under the influence;

(v) Who has provided the court with justification as to why the conviction should be expunged; and

(vi) Who has not previously had a nonadjudication or expunction of a violation of this section.

(b) A person is eligible for only one (1) expunction under this subsection, and the Department of Public Safety shall maintain a permanent confidential registry of all cases of expunction under this subsection for the sole purpose of determining a person's eligibility for expunction, for nonadjudication, or as a first offender under this section.

(c) The court in its order of expunction shall state in writing the justification for which the expunction was granted and forward the order to the Department of Public Safety within five (5) days of the entry of the order.

(14) Nonadjudication. (a) For the purposes of this chapter, “ nonadjudication ” means that the court withholds adjudication of guilt and sentencing, either at the conclusion of a trial on the merits or upon the entry of a plea of guilt by a defendant, and places the defendant in a nonadjudication program conditioned upon the successful completion of the requirements imposed by the court under this subsection.

(b) A person is eligible for nonadjudication of an offense under this Section 63-11-30 only one (1) time under any provision of a law that authorizes nonadjudication and only for an offender:

(i) Who has successfully completed all terms and conditions imposed by the court after placement of the defendant in a nonadjudication program;

(ii) Who was not the holder of a commercial driver's license or a commercial learning permit at the time of the offense;

(iii) Who has not previously been convicted of and does not have pending any former or subsequent charges under this section; and

(iv) Who has provided the court with justification as to why nonadjudication is appropriate.

(c) Nonadjudication may be initiated upon the filing of a petition for nonadjudication or at any stage of the proceedings in the discretion of the court; the court may withhold adjudication of guilt, defer sentencing, and upon the agreement of the offender to participate in a nonadjudication program, enter an order imposing requirements on the offender for a period of court supervision before the order of nonadjudication is entered. Failure to successfully complete a nonadjudication program subjects the person to adjudication of the charges against him and to imposition of all penalties previously withheld due to entrance into a nonadjudication program. The court shall immediately inform the commissioner of the conviction as required in Section 63-11-37 .

(i) The court shall order the person to:

1. Pay the nonadjudication fee imposed under Section 63-11-31 if applicable;

2. Pay all fines, penalties and assessments that would have been imposed for conviction;

3. Attend and complete an alcohol safety education program as provided in Section 63-11-32 within six (6) months of the date of the order;

4. a. If the court determines that the person violated this section with respect to alcohol or intoxicating liquor, the person must install an ignition-interlock device on every motor vehicle operated by the person, obtain an interlock-restricted license, and maintain that license for one hundred twenty (120) days or suffer a one-hundred-twenty-day suspension of the person's regular driver's license, during which time the person must not operate any vehicle.

b. If the court determines that the person violated this section by operating a vehicle when under the influence of a substance other than alcohol that has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle, including any drug or controlled substance which is unlawful to possess under the Mississippi Controlled Substances Law, the person must submit to a one-hundred-twenty-day period of a nonadjudication program that includes court-ordered drug testing at the person's own expense not less often than every thirty (30) days, during which time the person may drive if compliant with the terms of the program, or suffer a one-hundred-twenty-day suspension of the person's regular driver's license, during which time the person will not operate any vehicle.

(ii) Other conditions that may be imposed by the court include, but are not limited to, alcohol or drug screening, or both, proof that the person has not committed any other traffic violations while under court supervision, proof of immobilization or impoundment of vehicles owned by the offender if required, and attendance at a victim-impact panel.

(d) The court may enter an order of nonadjudication only if the court finds, after a hearing or after ex parte examination of reliable documentation of compliance, that the offender has successfully completed all conditions imposed by law and previous orders of the court. The court shall retain jurisdiction over cases involving nonadjudication for a period of not more than two (2) years.

(e)(i) The clerk shall immediately forward a record of every person placed in a nonadjudication program and of every nonadjudication order to the Department of Public Safety for inclusion in the permanent confidential registry of all cases that are nonadjudicated under this subsection (14).

(ii) Judges, clerks and prosecutors involved in the trial of implied consent violations and law enforcement officers involved in the issuance of citations for implied consent violations shall have secure online access to the confidential registry for the purpose of determining whether a person has previously been the subject of a nonadjudicated case and 1. is therefore ineligible for another nonadjudication; 2. is ineligible as a first offender for a violation of this section; or 3. is ineligible for expunction of a conviction of a violation of this section.

(iii) The Driver Services Bureau of the department shall have access to the confidential registry for the purpose of determining whether a person is eligible for a form of license not restricted to operating a vehicle equipped with an ignition-interlock device.

(iv) The Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program shall have secure online access to the confidential registry for research purposes only.

(15) The provisions of this section are fully applicable to any person who is under the influence of medical cannabis that is lawful under the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder which has impaired the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-19-9 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-19-9
Status: in_force

The application for such license shall be in writing, under oath and in the form prescribed by the administrator. The application shall contain the name of the applicant; date of incorporation, if incorporated; the address where the business is or is to be conducted and similar information as to any branch office of the applicant; the name and resident address of the owner or partners or, if a corporation or association, of the directors, trustees and principal officers; and such other pertinent information as the administrator may require.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-35-1 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 29 / Section 35-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-35-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Mississippi Fully Autonomous Vehicle Enabling (MS FAVE) Act of 2023.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-21 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 2 / Section 11-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-11-21
Status: in_force

If a person refuses upon the request of a law enforcement officer to submit to a chemical test of his breath designated by the law enforcement agency as provided in Section 63-11-5 , none shall be given, but the officer shall at that point demand the driver's license of the person, who shall deliver his driver's license into the hands of the officer. If a person refuses to submit to a chemical test under the provisions of this chapter, the person shall be informed by the law enforcement officer that the refusal to submit to the test shall subject him to suspension of the privilege to operate a motor vehicle. The officer shall give the driver a receipt for his license on forms prescribed and furnished by the Commissioner of Public Safety. The officer shall forward the driver's license together with a sworn report to the Commissioner of Public Safety stating that he had reasonable grounds and probable cause to believe the person had been operating a motor vehicle upon the public highways, public roads and streets of this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any other substance which may impair a person's mental or physical ability, stating the grounds, and that the person had refused to submit to the chemical test of his breath upon request of the law enforcement officer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-109 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 16 / Section 21-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-109
Status: in_force

(1) Any other vehicle, trailer or similar conveyance that has been forfeited shall, except as otherwise provided, be sold at a public auction for cash by the chief law enforcement officer of the initiating law enforcement agency, or his designee, to the highest and best bidder after advertising the sale for at least once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks, the last notice to appear not more than ten (10) days nor less than five (5) days prior to such sale, in a newspaper having a general circulation in the jurisdiction in which said law enforcement agency is located. Such notices shall contain a description of the vehicle, trailer or similar conveyance to be sold and a statement of the time and place of sale. It shall not be necessary to the validity of such sale either to have the vehicle, trailer or similar conveyance present at the place of sale or to have the name of the owner thereof stated in such notice. The proceeds of the sale shall be disposed of as follows:

(a) To any bona fide lienholder, secured party or other party holding an interest in the vehicle, trailer or similar conveyance in the nature of a security interest, to the extent of his interest; and

(b) The balance, if any, remaining after deduction of all storage, court costs and expenses of liquidation shall be divided, forwarded and deposited in the same manner set out in subsection (3) of this section.

(2)(a) Any county or municipal law enforcement agency may maintain, repair, use and operate for official purposes any vehicle, trailer or similar conveyance, that is described in subsection (1) of this section, that has been forfeited to the agency if it is free from any interest of a bona fide lienholder, secured party or other party who holds an interest in the vehicle, trailer or similar conveyance in the nature of a security interest. Such county or municipal law enforcement agency may purchase the interest of a bona fide lienholder, secured party or other party who holds an interest so that the vehicle, trailer or similar conveyance can be released for its use. The law enforcement agency shall be deemed to be the purchaser, and the certificate of title shall be issued to it.

(b)(i) If a vehicle is forfeited to or transferred to a sheriff's department, then the sheriff may transfer the vehicle to the county for official or governmental use as the board of supervisors may direct.

(ii) If a vehicle is forfeited to or transferred to a police department, then the police chief may transfer the vehicle to the municipality for official or governmental use as the governing authority of the municipality may direct.

(c) If a motor vehicle forfeited to a county or municipal law enforcement agency becomes obsolete or is no longer needed for official or governmental purposes, it may be disposed of in accordance with Section 19-7-5 or in the manner provided by law for disposing of municipal vehicle, trailer or similar conveyance.

(3) Any vehicle, trailer or similar conveyance which is forfeited under this article, except as provided in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, shall be liquidated and, after deduction of court costs and the expenses of liquidation, the proceeds shall be divided and deposited as follows:

(a) In the event only one (1) law enforcement agency participates in the underlying criminal case out of which the forfeiture arises, one hundred percent (100%) of the proceeds shall be deposited and credited to the budget of the participating law enforcement agency.

(b) In the event more than one (1) law enforcement agency participates in the underlying criminal case out of which the forfeiture arises, eighty percent (80%) of the proceeds shall be deposited and credited to the budget of the law enforcement agency whose officers initiated the criminal case and twenty percent (20%) shall be divided equitably between or among the other participating law enforcement agencies, and shall be deposited and credited to the budgets of the participating law enforcement agencies. In the event that the other participating law enforcement agencies cannot agree on the division of their twenty percent (20%), a petition shall be filed by any one of them in the court in which the civil forfeiture case is brought and the court shall make an equitable division.

(4) The Department of Revenue shall issue a certificate of title to any person who purchases property under the provisions of this section when a certificate of title is required under the laws of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-131 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-131
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-131
Status: in_force

“Safety zone” means the area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which is protected or is so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-301 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-301
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-301
Status: in_force

The commissioner of public safety shall adopt a manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic-control devices consistent with the provisions of this chapter for use upon highways within this state. Such uniform system shall correlate with and so far as possible conform to the system then current as approved by the American Association of State Highway Officials.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-7-43 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-7-43
Status: in_force

(1) The department is hereby authorized to approve or disapprove lighting devices and to issue and enforce regulations establishing standards and specifications for the approval of such lighting devices, their installation, aiming, and readjustment. Such regulations shall correlate with and, so far as practicable, conform to the then current standards and specifications of the Society of Automotive Engineers applicable to such equipment.

(2) The department is hereby required to approve or disapprove any lighting device, of a type on which approval is specifically required in this chapter within a reasonable time after such device has been submitted.

(3) The department is further authorized to set up the procedure which shall be followed when any lighting device is submitted for approval.

(4) The department upon approving any lighting device shall issue to the applicant a certificate of approval together with any instructions determined by it.

(5) The department shall publish lists of all lighting devices by name and type which have been approved by it.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-12 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 1 / Section 9-12
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-12
Status: in_force

Personal checks shall be accepted from Mississippi residents in payment of any fine imposed as a result of a violation of Chapters 3, 5 and 7 of Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972 . The person accepting a check in payment of such a fine shall not be liable if such check is returned not paid provided he makes reasonable efforts to collect the fine.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-19-21 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Section 19-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-19-21
Status: in_force

No license shall be denied, suspended or revoked except after hearing thereon. The administrator shall give the licensee at least ten days' written notice, in the form of an order to show cause, of the time and place of such hearing by certified mail addressed to the principal place of business in this state of such licensee. The said notice shall contain the grounds of complaint against the licensee. Any order suspending or revoking such license shall recite the grounds upon which the same is based. The order shall be entered upon the records of the administrator and shall not be effective until after thirty days' written notice thereof given after such entry forwarded by registered mail to the licensee at such principal place of business. No revocation, suspension or surrender of any license shall impair or affect the obligation of any lawful retail installment contract acquired previously thereto by the licensee.

Within thirty days after any such denial, suspension or revocation of a license the person aggrieved may apply for a review thereof by an application to any chancellor or judge of the chancery court of the county wherein is located the principal place of business in this state of such licensee in accordance with the practice of said court. Any chancellor or judge of the chancery court of the county wherein is located the principal place of business in this state of such licensee shall determine de novo all questions, both of fact and of law, touching upon the legality and reasonableness of the determination of the administrator, and shall render such judgment as shall be lawful and just.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-315 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 2 / Section 3-315
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-315
Status: in_force

The driver of any authorized emergency vehicle when responding to an emergency call upon approaching a red or stop signal or any stop sign shall slow down as necessary for safety but may proceed cautiously past such red or stop sign or signal. At other times drivers of authorized emergency vehicles shall stop in obedience to a stop sign or signal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Section 9-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21
Status: in_force

(1) This section shall be known as the Uniform Traffic Ticket Law.

(2) All traffic tickets, except traffic tickets filed electronically as provided under subsection (8) of this section, shall be printed in the original and at least two (2) copies and such other copies as may be prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Safety. All traffic tickets shall be uniform as prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Safety and the Attorney General, except as otherwise provided in subsection (3)(b) and except that the Commissioner of Public Safety and the Attorney General may alter the form and content of traffic tickets to meet the varying requirements of the different law enforcement agencies. The Commissioner of Public Safety and the Attorney General shall prescribe a separate traffic ticket, consistent with the provisions of subsection (3)(b) of this section, to be used exclusively for violations of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law.

(3)(a) Every traffic ticket issued by any sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, county patrol officer, municipal police officer or State Highway Patrol officer for any violation of traffic or motor vehicle laws shall be issued on the uniform traffic ticket or uniform implied consent violation ticket consisting of an original and at least two (2) copies and such other copies as may be prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Safety.

(b) The traffic ticket, citation or affidavit issued to a person arrested for a violation of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law shall contain a place for the trial judge hearing the case or accepting the guilty plea, as the case may be, to sign, stating that the person arrested either employed an attorney or waived his right to an attorney after having been properly advised of his right to have an attorney. If the person arrested employed an attorney, the name, address and telephone number of the attorney shall be entered or written on the ticket, citation or affidavit.

(c) Every traffic ticket shall show, among other necessary information, the name of the issuing officer, the name of the court in which the cause is to be heard, and the date and time the person is to appear to answer the charge. The ticket shall include information that will constitute a complaint charging the offense for which the ticket was issued, and when duly sworn to and filed with a court of competent jurisdiction, prosecution may proceed thereunder.

(d) The traffic ticket shall contain a space to include the current address and current telephone number of the person being charged. It shall not contain a space to include the social security number of the person being charged.

(4) All traffic tickets, except traffic tickets filed electronically under subsection (8) of this section, shall be bound in book form, shall be consecutively numbered and each traffic ticket shall be accounted for to the officer issuing such book. The traffic ticket books shall be issued to sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables and county patrol officers by the chancery clerk of their respective counties, to each municipal police officer by the clerk of the municipal court, and to each State Highway Patrol officer by the Commissioner of Public Safety.

(5) The chancery clerk, clerk of the municipal court and the Commissioner of Public Safety shall keep a record of all traffic ticket books issued and to whom issued, accounting for all books printed and issued. All traffic tickets submitted electronically shall be filed automatically with the Commissioner of Public Safety and either the clerk of the municipal court or clerk of the justice court using the system of electronic submission for the purpose of maintaining a record of account as prescribed by this subsection (5).

(6) The original traffic ticket, unless the traffic ticket is filed electronically as provided under subsection (8) of this section, shall be delivered by the officer issuing the traffic ticket to the clerk of the court to which it is returnable to be retained in that court's records and the number noted on the docket. However, if a ticket is issued and the person is incarcerated based upon the conduct for which the ticket was issued, the ticket shall be filed with the clerk of the court to which it is returnable no later than 5:00 p.m. on the next business day, excluding weekends and holidays, after the date and time of the person's incarceration; however, failure to timely file the traffic ticket shall not be grounds for dismissal of the traffic ticket and shall not prevent the person's release from incarceration. The officer issuing the traffic ticket shall also give the accused a copy of the traffic ticket. The clerk of the court shall file a copy with the Commissioner of Public Safety within forty-five (45) days after judgment is rendered showing such information about the judgment as may be required by the commissioner or, in cases in which no judgment has been rendered, within one hundred twenty (120) days after issuance of the ticket. Other copies that are prescribed by the commissioner pursuant to this section shall be filed or retained as may be designated by the commissioner. All copies shall be retained for at least two (2) years.

(7) Failure to comply with the provisions of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punishable by a fine of not less than Ten Dollars ($10.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).

(8)(a) Law enforcement officers and agencies may file traffic tickets, including tickets issued for a violation of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law and general misdemeanor affidavits, by computer or electronic means if the ticket or affidavit conforms in all substantive respects, including layout and content, as provided under subsections (2) or (3)(b) of this section. The provisions of subsection (4) of this section requiring tickets bound in book form do not apply to a ticket that is produced by computer or electronic means. Information concerning tickets produced by computer or electronic means shall be available for public inspection in substantially the same manner as provided for the uniform tickets described in subsection (2) of this section.

(b) The defendant shall be provided with a paper copy of the ticket. A law enforcement officer who files a ticket or misdemeanor affidavit electronically shall be considered to have certified, signed and sworn to the ticket or misdemeanor affidavit and has the same rights, responsibilities and liabilities as with all other tickets or affidavits issued pursuant to this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-76 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-76
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-17-76
Status: in_force

(1) Every application for the issuance of a used motor vehicle dealer's license shall be accompanied by such evidence as the State Tax Commission shall prescribe, documenting the completion of an education seminar conducted by the Mississippi Independent Auto Dealers Association during the twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of application. Completion of an eight-hour licensing seminar conducted by the Mississippi Independent Auto Dealers Association shall be required for an initial license. All seminars must be approved by the State Tax Commission. The education requirements of this section shall not apply to:

(a) Used motor vehicle dealer the primary business of which is the sale of salvage vehicles on behalf of insurers;

(b) A manufactured home dealer; or

(c) A franchised new car dealer licensed under the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission Law or any employee of such a dealer.

(2) The Mississippi Independent Auto Dealers Association shall submit to the State Tax Commission a complete and specific description of the seminars it conducts pursuant to this section, a description of how the seminar will benefit licensees in conducting their businesses, the number of hours involved, a description of the method which will be used to ensure attendance, and copies of any instructional materials which will be provided to attendees. At the time approval is granted, the State Tax Commission shall determine how many hours of education may be received by attending the program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-15-69 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-15-69
Status: in_force

(1) Where any person fails to report an accident as required in Section 63-15-9 , in addition to any other penalties prescribed by law, the department shall suspend the license of the person failing to make such report, or the nonresident's operating privilege of such person, until such report has been filed and for such further period not to exceed thirty (30) days as the department may fix.

(2) Any person who gives information required in a report or otherwise as provided for in Section 63-15-9 , knowing or having reason to believe that such information is false, or who shall forge, or without authority, sign any evidence of proof of financial responsibility, or who files or offers for filing any such evidence of proof, knowing or having reason to believe that it is forged or signed without authority, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than one (1) year, or both, except where the statement may be made under oath, in which case the person making the false statement under oath shall, upon conviction, be subject to the penalties for perjury.

(3) Any person whose license or nonresident's operating privilege has been suspended or revoked under this chapter, and who, during such suspension or revocation drives any motor vehicle upon any highway or knowingly permits any motor vehicle owned by such person to be operated by another upon any highway, except as permitted under this chapter, shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned not exceeding six (6) months, or both.

(4) Any person willfully failing to return his license as required in Section 63-15-67 , shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned not to exceed thirty (30) days, or both.

(5) Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter for which no penalty is otherwise provided shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both.

(6) In order for an individual who has received a license suspension under the State of Mississippi's Implied Consent Laws to be eligible for reinstatement, in addition to other requirements at law, he or she must provide to the Department of Public Safety, a certificate of insurance as a method of giving proof of financial responsibility as provided in Sections 63-15-37(1) , 63-15-39 and 63-15-41 , that shall be maintained for not less than a period of three (3) years after issuance in accordance with the requirements as set forth in Section 63-15-61 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-29-3 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 9 / Section 29-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-29-3
Status: in_force

As used in this section:

(a) “ Administrator ” means a third party other than the warrantor who is designated by the warrantor to be responsible for the administration of vehicle protection product warranties.

(b) “ Motor Vehicle Commission ” means the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission.

(c) “ Incidental costs ” means expenses specified in the warranty incurred by the warranty holder related to the failure of the vehicle protection product to perform as provided in the warranty. Incidental costs may include, without limitation, insurance policy deductibles, rental vehicle charges, the difference between the actual value of the stolen vehicle at the time of theft and the cost of a replacement vehicle, sales taxes, registration fees, transaction fees and mechanical inspection fees.

(d)(i) “ Vehicle protection product ” means a vehicle protection device, system or service that:

1. Is installed on or applied to a vehicle;

2. Is designed to prevent loss or damage to a vehicle from a specific cause; and

3. Includes a written warranty.

(ii) Any product offered without a warranty shall not be considered a vehicle protection product and shall not be covered by the provisions of this chapter.

(e) The term “ vehicle protection device, system or service ” shall include, without limitation, alarm systems, body part marking products, steering locks, window etch products, pedal and ignition locks, fuel and ignition kill switches and electronic, radio and satellite tracking devices.

(f) “ Vehicle protection product warranty ” or “ warranty ” means a written agreement by a warrantor that provides that if the vehicle protection product fails to prevent loss or damage to a vehicle from a specific cause, then the warranty holder shall be paid specified incidental costs by the warrantor as a result of the failure of the vehicle protection product to perform pursuant to the terms of the warranty.

(g) “ Vehicle protection product warrantor ” or “ warrantor ” means a person who is contractually obligated to the warranty holder under the terms of the vehicle protection product warranty agreement. “Warrantor” does not include an authorized insurer.

(h) “ Warranty holder ” means the person who purchases a vehicle protection product or who is a permitted transferee.

(i) “ Warranty reimbursement insurance policy ” means a policy of insurance that is issued to the vehicle protection product warrantor to provide reimbursement to the warrantor or to pay on behalf of the warrantor all covered contractual obligations incurred by the warrantor under the terms and conditions of the insured vehicle protection product warranties sold by the warrantor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-253 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 10 / Section 21-253
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-253
Status: in_force

(1) An owner of a motor vehicle may transfer the owner's interest in the motor vehicle to a sole beneficiary effective on the owner's death by designating a beneficiary as provided by Section 63-21-261 .

(2) A beneficiary designation is:

(a) Subject to Section 63-21-255 , revocable and may be changed at any time without the consent of the designated beneficiary as provided by Section 63-21-261 ;

(b) A nontestamentary instrument; and

(c) Effective without:

(A) Notice or delivery to or acceptance by the designated beneficiary during the owner's life; or

(B) Consideration.

(3) A will may not revoke or supersede a beneficiary designation, regardless of when the will is made.

(4) A designated beneficiary may disclaim the designated beneficiary's interest in the motor vehicle as provided by applicable law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-71 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Section 21-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-71
Status: in_force

It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the provisions of this chapter unless such violation is by the law of this state declared to be a felony.

Every person convicted of a misdemeanor for the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-18 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 1 / Section 21-18
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-18
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall provide equipment for the operation and maintenance of the automated statewide motor vehicle, manufactured housing and mobile home registration system by the department.

The automated statewide motor vehicle, manufactured housing and mobile home registration system shall provide for computer terminals and printers, as authorized by the Department of Information Technology Services, to be located in the quantity necessary in each county seat tax collector's office and any other office in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the motor vehicle registrations in the county are made.

All county tax collectors shall participate in such system as it applies to Chapter 19, Title 27; Chapter 51, Title 27; Chapter 21, Title 63; Mississippi Code of 1972, in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the department. Such rules and regulations shall provide that counties which have an existing computer system designed to produce registration data may elect to use such existing system to communicate title/registration data to the department through the computer furnished by the state as hereinabove provided in this section. If the department finds and determines that a county has failed to successfully establish or update title/registration data into the statewide vehicle, manufactured housing and mobile home title/registration system, either through use of equipment supplied by the department or through the interfacing between the network system and county computer equipment, the department shall thereafter cause to be withheld the county's homestead exemption reimbursement monies, except for school districts and municipalities, until such time as the county has complied with this provision. Such monies as are withheld from a county for failure to comply with this provision shall be placed into a special escrow account to be established in the State Treasury. Once the county achieves compliance by successfully establishing or updating title/registration data into the statewide vehicle, manufactured housing and mobile home title/registration system, then the department shall cause to be released to the county all funds held in escrow on the county's behalf during the period of noncompliance. All interest earned shall accrue to the benefit of the county on any funds placed in an escrow account. Any cost involved in interfacing between existing county computer systems and the state-provided computer shall be paid by the county.

The computer terminals and printers placed in each county tax collector's office may be utilized to provide additional computer functions as authorized by the Department of Information Technology Services.

The State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants to the State Treasurer for the expenditures for the implementation and maintenance of the system upon requisitions signed by the Commissioner of Revenue, as authorized by the Legislature.

It is the intent of the Legislature that the operation of the statewide motor vehicle, manufactured housing and mobile home title registration system shall be the responsibility of the department.

The department shall provide for the transfer of motor vehicle, manufactured housing and mobile home title and lien registration information to the department by electronic means from banks and other lending institutions as provided in Section 63-21-18 . The Department of Information Technology Services shall cooperate with the department in implementing the provisions of Section 63-21-18 , and shall provide the department with whatever assistance the department needs to carry out the provisions of Section 63-21-18 .

A used motor vehicle parts dealer or scrap metal processor must utilize the department's automated statewide motor vehicle registration system for the purpose of complying with the requirements of Section 63-21-39(1)(a) .
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-35-25 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 5 / Section 35-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-35-25
Status: in_force

(1) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, fully autonomous vehicles and automated driving systems are governed exclusively by this act. The Department of Public Safety, in conjunction with the Department of Revenue, with regard to DOR's specific functions related to the registration and titling of motor vehicles, shall implement and enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(2) No state agency, political subdivision, municipality or local entity may prohibit the operation of fully autonomous vehicles, automated driving systems or on-demand autonomous vehicle networks, or otherwise enact or enforce rules or ordinances that would impose taxes, fees or other requirements, including performance standards, specific to the operation of fully autonomous vehicles, automated driving systems or on-demand autonomous vehicle networks in addition to the requirements of this act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-25-9 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 19 / Section 25-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-25-9
Status: in_force

(1) The following items shall be subject to forfeiture unless obtained by theft, fraud or conspiracy to defraud and the rightful owner of the items is known or can be identified and located: (a) any tool, (b) any implement, or (c) any instrumentality, including but not limited to any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part, whether owned or unowned by the person from whose possession or control it was seized, which is used or possessed either in violation of Section 63-25-5 or to promote and facilitate a violation of Section 63-25-5 .

(2) Any motor vehicle, other conveyance or motor vehicle part used by any person as a common carrier is subject to forfeiture under this section where the owner or other person in charge of the motor vehicle, other conveyance or motor vehicle part is a consenting party to a violation of Section 63-25-5 .

(3) Any motor vehicle, motor vehicle part, other conveyance, tool, implement or instrumentality is not subject to forfeiture under this section by reason of any act or omission which the owner proves to have been committed or omitted without the owner's knowledge or consent.

(4)(a) Seizing agencies shall utilize their best efforts to identify any seized motor vehicle or motor vehicle part to determine ownership or the identity of any other person having a right or interest in a seized motor vehicle or motor vehicle part. In its reasonable identification and owner location attempts, the seizing agency shall cause the stolen motor vehicle files of the Highway Safety Patrol to be searched for information on motor vehicles similar to the seized motor vehicle or consistent with the seized motor vehicle part.

(b) Where a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part has an apparent value in excess of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), the seizing agency shall:

(i) Consult with an expert specially trained and experienced in motor vehicle theft investigative procedures and motor vehicle identification techniques; and

(ii) Request searches of the on-line and off-line files of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the National Automobile Theft Bureau (NATB) when the Highway Safety Patrol's files have been searched with negative results.

(5) Forfeiture of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle part or other conveyance encumbered by a bona fide security interest is subject to the interest of the secured party where the secured party neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission forming the ground for forfeiture; provided, however, that a forfeiture shall not be subject to the interest of any secured party if the property involved in the forfeiture is a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part seized pursuant to Section 63-25-7(1) and ownership cannot be determined.

(6) Property described in subsection (1) of this section which is seized and held for forfeiture shall not be subject to replevin and is subject only to the order and judgments of a court of competent jurisdiction hearing the forfeiture proceedings.

(7)(a) The seizing agency's attorney or the district attorney in the county in which the seizure occurs may bring an action for forfeiture in a court of competent jurisdiction. The forfeiture action shall be brought within sixty (60) days from the date of seizure. Except when the ownership of the property involved in the forfeiture is a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part seized pursuant to Section 63-25-7(1) and ownership cannot be determined, the prosecutor, may, in the sound exercise of discretion, decide not to bring a forfeiture action because of the rights of property owners, lienholders or secured creditors, or because of exculpatory, exonerating or mitigating facts and circumstances.

(b) The clerk of court shall give notice of the forfeiture proceeding by mailing a copy of the complaint in the forfeiture proceeding and instructions on how the action for forfeiture may be contested to each person whose right, title or interest is of record in the State Tax Commission or any department or agency of any other state or territory of the United States or of the federal government if such property is required to be registered in any such department or agency.

(c) Notice of the proceeding shall be given to any such other person as may appear, from the facts and circumstances, to have any right, title or interest in or to the property.

(d) The owner of the property, or any person having or claiming right, title or interest in the property, may, within fourteen (14) days after the mailing of such notice, file a verified answer to the complaint and may appear at the hearing on the action for forfeiture.

(e) The prosecutor shall show at a forfeiture hearing by a preponderance of the evidence that such property was used in the commission of a violation of Section 63-25-5 , or was used or possessed to facilitate such violation or was seized pursuant to Section 63-25-7(1) and ownership cannot be determined.

(f) The owner of property may show by a preponderance of the evidence that he did not know, and did not have reason to know, that the property was to be used or possessed in the commission of any violation or that any of the exceptions to forfeiture are applicable.

(g) Unless the prosecutor shall make the required showing, the court shall order the property released to the owner. Where the prosecutor has made such a showing, the court may order:

(i) That the property be destroyed by the agency that seized it or by some other agency designated by the court;

(ii) That the property be delivered and retained for use by the agency which seized it or some other agency designated by the court; or

(iii) That the property may be sold at public auction as provided in subsection (11).

(8) A copy of a forfeiture order shall be filed with the sheriff of the county in which the forfeiture occurs and with each federal or state department or agency with which such property is required to be registered. Such order, when filed, constitutes authority for the issuance, to the agency to whom the property is delivered and retained for use, of a certificate of title, registration certificate or other special certificate as may be required by law considering the condition of the property.

(9) No motor vehicle which has been seized pursuant to Section 63-25-7 or forfeited or sold at public auction pursuant to this section shall be released by the seizing agency, used by an agency designated by the court, or sold at public auction unless any altered, counterfeited, defaced, destroyed, disguised, falsified, forged, obliterated or removed vehicle identification number is corrected by the issuance and affixing of either an assigned or replacement vehicle identification number plate as may be appropriate.

(10) Seizing agencies shall utilize their best efforts to arrange for the towing and storing of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts in the most economical manner possible. In no event shall the owner of a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle part be required to pay more than the minimum reasonable costs of towing and storage.

(11) Property that has been ordered sold pursuant to subsection (7)(iii) shall be sold at public auction for cash by the chief law enforcement officer of the seizing agency or his designee to the highest and best bidder after advertising the sale for at least once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks, the last notice to appear not more than ten (10) days nor less than five (5) days prior to the sale, in a newspaper having a general circulation within the jurisdiction of the seizing agency. The legal notice shall contain a description of the property to be sold and a statement of the time and place of sale. The proceeds of the sale shall be disposed of as follows:

(a) To any bona fide lien holder, secured party, or other party holding an interest in the property in the nature of a security interest, to the extent of his interest; and

(b) The balance, if any, remaining after deduction of all storage, court costs and expenses of liquidation shall accrue to the seizing agency.

(12) A seized motor vehicle or motor vehicle part that is neither forfeited nor unidentifiable shall be held subject to the order of the court in which the criminal action is pending or, if a request for its release from such custody is made, until the district attorney has notified the defendant or the defendant's attorney of such request and both the prosecution and defense have been afforded a reasonable opportunity for an examination of the property to determine its true value and to produce or reproduce, by photographs or other identifying techniques, legally sufficient evidence for introduction at trial or other criminal proceedings. Upon expiration of a reasonable time for the completion of the examination, which in no event shall exceed fourteen (14) days from the date of service upon the defense of the notice of request for return of property as provided herein, the property shall be released to the person making such request after satisfactory proof such person is entitled to the possession thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon application by either party with notice to the other, the court may order retention of the property if it determines that retention is necessary in the furtherance of justice.

(13) When a seized motor vehicle is forfeited, restored to its owner or otherwise disposed of, the seizing agency shall retain a report of the transaction for a period of at least one (1) year from the date of the transaction.
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-15-55 — MS Code / Title 63 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-15-55
Status: in_force

Whenever any person required to give proof of financial responsibility under this chapter is or later becomes an operator in the employ of any owner, or is or later becomes a member of the immediate family or household of the owner, the department shall accept proof given by such owner in lieu of proof by such other person to permit such other person to operate a motor vehicle for which the owner has given proof as herein provided. The department shall designate the restrictions imposed by this section on the face of such person's license.