63-10-3 - Issuance of citation to resident of reciprocating state; security for appearance; reporting of noncompliance with citation.
§ 63-10-3. Issuance of citation to resident of reciprocating state; security for appearance; reporting of noncompliance with citation.
(1) A state highway patrol officer, in lieu of arrest for a traffic violation, may issue a citation, as would be appropriate under the circumstances, to any motorist who is a resident of this state or holds a license issued by a reciprocating state and shall not, subject to the exceptions noted in subsection (2) of this section, require such motorist to post collateral or bond to secure his appearance but shall accept such motorist's drivers license in lieu of bond or security as provided by Section 63-9-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, provided, however, that a person so charged shall have the right, upon his request, to post collateral or bond in a manner as provided by law, and in such case, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply.
(2) No motorist shall be entitled to receive a citation under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section nor shall any state highway patrol officer issue a citation as provided for therein if the offense be included in the following:
(a) An offense for which the issuance of a citation in lieu of a hearing or the posting of collateral or bond is prohibited by the laws of this state; or
(b) An offense for which state statutes require the revocation or suspension of a motorist's license.
(3) Upon the failure of any resident or nonresident to comply with the terms of a traffic citation, the issuing officer shall request that a warrant be issued and shall report same to the commissioner of public safety or his duly authorized agent, who shall suspend such person's drivers license until such time as a disposition is had on said undisposed of traffic citation. Such report shall clearly identify the person charged; describe the violation, specify the statute, code or ordinance violated; indicate the location of the offense; give a description of the vehicle involved; and show the registration or license number of the vehicle. Such report shall be signed by the issuing officer.
Sources: Laws, 1979, ch. 421, § 2, eff from and after passage (approved March 21, 1979).