Accused of Driving Under the Influence?

You Need the Assistance of a Brookhaven DUI Lawyer

Good people sometimes make bad choices. For example, occasionally you just don’t realize how much you may have been drinking, or how the alcohol has affected you. If you have been pulled over by police after an evening out and charged with driving under the influence, you likely have concerns about your future.

Your feelings are valid. Driving under the influence in Brookhaven is a serious offense that can have a significant impact on your life. Fines, loss of your driver’s license, and prison time are all possible punishments.

If you have been accused of driving under the influence, contact a Brookhaven DUI attorney immediately. This is not a situation that you can handle yourself.

Work with an experienced legal professional, one with a proven record. You must protect your future and the future of your family.

Contact a Ringer, Lingold & Spencer Brookhaven DUI attorney immediately at (601) 845-5050. We are ready to go to work for you and look out for your license and your life.

What Is Driving Under the Influence in Brookhaven?

Ringer, Lingold & Spencer DUI Defense Lawyer in Brookhaven Explains

The state of Mississippi has clearly defined laws surrounding driving under the influence. Most people don’t even realize they are impaired when they get behind the wheel. Understanding how many drinks affect your blood alcohol content can be confusing. The overview, simplified below, tells us that:

  • Those 21 years of age and older can be charged with a DUI if their blood alcohol concentration is equal to or greater than .08.
  • Those under 21 can be arrested and charged if their BAC is .02 or higher.

As you may know, you don’t need to drink a great deal to reach these levels.

Depending upon a number of things — including your weight, how quickly you are drinking, the strength of the drink, and your metabolism — just one or two drinks can raise your BAC to a level where it is illegal for you to get behind the wheel.

Frequently Asked Questions

DUI Lawyers in Brookhaven Respond to Your Concerns

If you have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence, you have every right to be concerned. And you likely have a lot of questions. Below, our professionals have addressed some of those which are asked of us most often.

  • Isn’t getting a DUI just like getting a traffic ticket? Do I really need a lawyer?

    Being arrested for driving under the influence is serious, it is not like getting a speeding ticket. In fact, you can be convicted of a misdemeanor; and if you have been charged and convicted a third time (within five years) or a fourth time (over the course of your life), you can be charged with a felony.

    The punishments for both misdemeanor and felony DUIs can be significant and may impact your life in both the short and the long term. Thus, engaging an experienced lawyer for DUI in Brookhaven is in your best interests.

  • If I am pulled over can I refuse to take a breathalyzer test?

    No, you cannot. According to Mississippi’s implied consent law (§ 63-11-5),

    simply getting in the car and being ready to drive means you have agreed to breathalyzer or blood tests if you are believed to be driving under the influence. Your Brookhaven DUI lawyer can review the penalties for failing to do this.

  • If I am convicted of a DUI, does it go on my record?

    Yes, DUI convictions will appear on both driving and criminal records for five years. This can impact your ability to pursue a job, housing, and education.

  • This is my first offense. What penalties am I facing?

    DUI charges in Brookhaven, Mississippi, are taken seriously, and the penalties can be impactful. Below we have shared just a few of the issues you may face.

    • Driver’s license suspension (120 days minimum)
    • License reinstatement fee ($175)
    • License restrictions/Ignition interlock
    • Jail time (48 hours)
    • Fines ($250-$1,000)
    • Enrollment (costs $200) and completion of the Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program (MASEP).
  • If I am pulled over and charged with a DUI in Brookhaven and I was drinking, should I just plead guilty?

    No, do not plead guilty to anything. Immediately contact the Ringer, Lingold & Spencer DUI lawyers in Brookhaven. In addition to a host of issues, the circumstances surrounding the traffic stop can impact a decision in cases like this.

The questions above are only a sample of what we are asked on a regular basis. You likely have a number of questions relating to your specific situation. Contact our office today at

(601) 845-5050 to schedule a consultation where we can speak more specifically about the charges you are facing.

What the DUI Lawyers in Brookhaven Can Do For You

Our Brookhaven DUI lawyers have a reputation for providing faithful service to our clients. Everyone makes mistakes, and we believe that when a poor decision impacts your future, you deserve the best possible advice and counsel.

Providing DUI Defense Strategies

When your future is at risk, you need to leverage the knowledge of professionals who can help protect you. Robert Lingold, our lawyer for DUI in Brookhaven, has a proven reputation for developing the best DUI defense strategy for each client with whom he works.

Remember, being arrested and being convicted are two very different things. The strategies we may use as we prepare for your defense include asking the following questions:

  • Was the traffic stop during which you were charged legal?
  • Were all sobriety tests conducted correctly and applied within the appropriate time frames?
  • Did the arresting officer have probable cause?
  • Were you apprised of your Miranda rights?

Our Brookhaven criminal defense attorneys (link to Brookhaven Criminal Defense page) also know that there are a host of conditions that mimic the symptoms caused by drinking or using other substances.

Even those who have not been drinking can be charged with DUI.

Innocent until proven guilty is the premise upon which we work, each and every day.

About Our Firm

Live Here. Work Here. Love Here.

Ringer, Lingold & Spencer has made a strong and long-term commitment to providing the highest quality legal services to the citizens of Brookhaven. You see, we are members of the community as well, and we believe in the importance of supporting each other.

Our team has an in-depth knowledge of Mississippi DUI law and are well-versed in working in the local court system. We also have past experience as prosecutors. Because we know how the other side will address your case, we know how build your defense. We are proud to leverage our knowledge and experience on behalf of our community each and every day.

Engaging an experienced DUI attorney is one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make. Working with the right professional can make a significant difference in your life. At Ringer, Lingold & Spencer, we recognize this and take our responsibility seriously. When you work with us, you get the benefit of our:

  • 73 years of combined legal experience.
  • Commitment to client service; we are always available to answer your questions and address your concerns.
  • Empathetic approach; we understand and appreciate the stress of a DUI arrest; our Brookhaven DUI attorneys are well-known for helping to keep our clients calm throughout the process.

Mississippi Proud. Winning Results. This tagline describes us perfectly. Everyone deserves a quality defense, and we are proud that we provide this to those in our community. Being a responsible citizen means giving back, and our commitment to the people of Brookhaven is unmatched. Additionally, we have a record of success of which we are proud.

Our DUI lawyers in Brookhaven are ready to help. We will work tirelessly on your behalf to reach the best possible outcome. Reach out to us today at (601) 845-5050 to schedule a consultation.

Attorney Robert F. Lingold, Jr.

Robert F. Lingold, Jr. leads the firm’s criminal justice and personal injury practice. He is fierce when representing clients accused of a crime and fights aggressively to defend their legal rights. He is also skilled and determined when representing clients who have been injured by the negligent actions of others. [ Attorney Bio ]

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