Mississippi Code
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21 (2026)
Uniform Traffic Ticket Law
✓ current as of July 2026
- (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.
Codes, 1942, § 8285.5; Laws, 1958, ch. 260, §§ 1-7; Laws, 1982, ch. 423, § 13; Laws, 1982, ch. 464; Laws, 1984, ch. 352; Laws, 1985, ch. 363, § 3; Laws, 1991, ch. 480, § 3; Laws, 2003, ch. 550, § 1; Laws, 2009, ch. 376, § 1; Laws, 2009, ch. 481, § 1; Laws, 2009, ch. 566, § 1; Laws, 2011, ch. 342, § 1; Laws, 2012, ch. 464, § 1; Laws, 2012, ch. 550, § 1, eff. 7/1/2012.
Amended by Laws, 2016, ch. 504, SB 2114, 1, eff. 5/13/2016.
Amended by Laws, 2013, ch. 472, HB 1212, 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 19
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1985–2024 · leading case: Williams v. State, 708 So. 2d 1358 (Miss. 1998).
Williams v. State, 708 So. 2d 1358 (Miss. 1998). “§ 63-11-5 (3) the traffic ticket issued to a person arrested for violation of the implied consent law shall conform to the requirements of Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21 (3)(b). Williams claims that because he was not issued a Uniform Traffic Ticket he was not properly charged with a…”
Wheeler v. Stewart, 798 So. 2d 386 (Miss. 2001). “The Uniform Traffic Ticket Law, Miss.Code Ann. § 63-9-21 (1996), states what is required to give adequate notice, as follows: 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…”
Palmer v. City of Oxford, 860 So. 2d 1203 (Miss. 2003). “We find that this argument does not reflect the intent of Miss.Code Ann. § 63-9-21 when read as a whole.”
Loveless v. City of Booneville, 972 So. 2d 723 (Miss. Ct. App. 2007). “Because of these errors, Chambers contends that the DUI citation did not comply with Mississippi *732 Code Annotated section 63-9-21(3)(c) (Supp.2003), which provides, in relevant part, as follows: Every traffic ticket shall show, among other necessary information, the name of…”
In Re Inquiry Concerning Garner, 466 So. 2d 884 (Miss. 1985). “She is not familiar with Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21 (Supp. 1982) which requires the judge to send the auditor's copy to the state agency within 45 days of judgment.”
Scott v. City of Booneville, 962 So. 2d 698 (Miss. Ct. App. 2007). “Whether a two year old outdated DUI citation, which is not a Uniform Traffic Ticket, citation, or affidavit in accordance with section 63-9-21(3)(b) constitutes a legal/valid affidavit and/or is a Defendant not entitled to a dismissal when a charge of driving under the influence…”
Green v. State, 710 So. 2d 862 (Miss. 1998). “§ 63-11-5(3), the traffic ticket issued to a person arrested for violation of the implied consent law shall conform to the requirements of the Uniform Ticket Law, Miss.Code Ann. § 63-9-21(3). Because no third offense Uniform Traffic Ticket was issued, Green asserts that he was…”
Sammy William Ray v. Mississippi Dep't of Pub. Saf., 172 So. 3d 199 (Miss. Ct. App. 2014). “” On appeal, to the full EAB, the full EAB found: 28 Pursuant to Mississippi Code Annotated section 63-9-21, a ticket written by a Mississippi highway patrol officer is an official state documents in which the officer swears that the information therein is correct.”
Wildmon v. City of Booneville, 980 So. 2d 304 (Miss. Ct. App. 2007). ““A traffic ticket that contains this information constitutes a ‘sworn affidavit’ as referred to in Section 21-23-7(1) when the officer who issues the ticket has it properly attested and filed with the proper court.” Wheeler v. Stewart, 798 So.”
Godbold v. Water Valley, 962 So. 2d 133 (Miss. Ct. App. 2007). “” However, Godbold admits that the relevant statute, Mississippi Code Annotated section 63-9-21 (Rev.2004), contains no requirement that a citation contain a court’s physical address.”
Bonds v. State, 72 So. 3d 533 (Miss. Ct. App. 2011). “Mississippi Code Annotated section 63-9-21 (Rev.2004) is also known as the Uniform Traffic Ticket Law and contains the provisions on how traffic tickets should be filed, what information must be on the ticket, and the ramifications for the failure to issue a ticket in the proper…”
Lee Madison Palmer, Jr. v. City of Oxford, Mississippi, No. 2002-KM-00848-SCT (Miss. Apr. 22, 2002). “§ 63-9-21 (3)(b) and (c) and § 63-9-21(6)(2001)) state: (b) The traffic ticket, citation or affidavit which is issued to a person arrested for a violation of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law shall be uniform throughout all jurisdictions in the State of Mississippi.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21(1996): 2 cases
Wheeler v. Stewart, 798 So. 2d 386 (Miss. 2001). “The Uniform Traffic Ticket Law, Miss.Code Ann. § 63-9-21 (1996), states what is required to give adequate notice, as follows: 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…”
Robert F. Wheeler v. Jefferson B. Stewart, No. 1999-CP-01412-SCT (Miss. July 21, 1999).
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21(3): 1 case
Green v. State, 710 So. 2d 862 (Miss. 1998). “§ 63-11-5(3), the traffic ticket issued to a person arrested for violation of the implied consent law shall conform to the requirements of the Uniform Ticket Law, Miss.Code Ann. § 63-9-21(3). Because no third offense Uniform Traffic Ticket was issued, Green asserts that he was…”
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21(3)(a): 2 cases
Wheeler v. Stewart, 798 So. 2d 386 (Miss. 2001). “The Uniform Traffic Ticket Law, Miss.Code Ann. § 63-9-21 (1996), states what is required to give adequate notice, as follows: 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…”
Robert F. Wheeler v. Jefferson B. Stewart, No. 1999-CP-01412-SCT (Miss. July 21, 1999).
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21(3)(b): 6 cases
Williams v. State, 708 So. 2d 1358 (Miss. 1998). “§ 63-11-5 (3) the traffic ticket issued to a person arrested for violation of the implied consent law shall conform to the requirements of Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21 (3)(b). Williams claims that because he was not issued a Uniform Traffic Ticket he was not properly charged with a…”
Green v. State, 710 So. 2d 862 (Miss. 1998). “§ 63-11-5(3), the traffic ticket issued to a person arrested for violation of the implied consent law shall conform to the requirements of the Uniform Ticket Law, Miss.Code Ann. § 63-9-21(3). Because no third offense Uniform Traffic Ticket was issued, Green asserts that he was…”
Palmer v. City of Oxford, 860 So. 2d 1203 (Miss. 2003). “We find that this argument does not reflect the intent of Miss.Code Ann. § 63-9-21 when read as a whole.”
Scott v. City of Booneville, 962 So. 2d 698 (Miss. Ct. App. 2007). “Whether a two year old outdated DUI citation, which is not a Uniform Traffic Ticket, citation, or affidavit in accordance with section 63-9-21(3)(b) constitutes a legal/valid affidavit and/or is a Defendant not entitled to a dismissal when a charge of driving under the influence…”
C L Williams v. State of Mississippi, No. 96-KA-01227-SCT (Miss. Oct. 28, 1996).
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21(3)(c): 8 cases
Loveless v. City of Booneville, 972 So. 2d 723 (Miss. Ct. App. 2007). “Because of these errors, Chambers contends that the DUI citation did not comply with Mississippi *732 Code Annotated section 63-9-21(3)(c) (Supp.2003), which provides, in relevant part, as follows: Every traffic ticket shall show, among other necessary information, the name of…”
Wheeler v. Stewart, 798 So. 2d 386 (Miss. 2001). “The Uniform Traffic Ticket Law, Miss.Code Ann. § 63-9-21 (1996), states what is required to give adequate notice, as follows: 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…”
Palmer v. City of Oxford, 860 So. 2d 1203 (Miss. 2003). “We find that this argument does not reflect the intent of Miss.Code Ann. § 63-9-21 when read as a whole.”
Scott v. City of Booneville, 962 So. 2d 698 (Miss. Ct. App. 2007). “Whether a two year old outdated DUI citation, which is not a Uniform Traffic Ticket, citation, or affidavit in accordance with section 63-9-21(3)(b) constitutes a legal/valid affidavit and/or is a Defendant not entitled to a dismissal when a charge of driving under the influence…”
Wildmon v. City of Booneville, 980 So. 2d 304 (Miss. Ct. App. 2007). ““A traffic ticket that contains this information constitutes a ‘sworn affidavit’ as referred to in Section 21-23-7(1) when the officer who issues the ticket has it properly attested and filed with the proper court.” Wheeler v. Stewart, 798 So.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21(3)(e): 1 case
Wildmon v. City of Booneville, 980 So. 2d 304 (Miss. Ct. App. 2007). ““A traffic ticket that contains this information constitutes a ‘sworn affidavit’ as referred to in Section 21-23-7(1) when the officer who issues the ticket has it properly attested and filed with the proper court.” Wheeler v. Stewart, 798 So.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21(6): 3 cases
Palmer v. City of Oxford, 860 So. 2d 1203 (Miss. 2003). “We find that this argument does not reflect the intent of Miss.Code Ann. § 63-9-21 when read as a whole.”
Bonds v. State, 72 So. 3d 533 (Miss. Ct. App. 2011). “Mississippi Code Annotated section 63-9-21 (Rev.2004) is also known as the Uniform Traffic Ticket Law and contains the provisions on how traffic tickets should be filed, what information must be on the ticket, and the ramifications for the failure to issue a ticket in the proper…”
Lee Madison Palmer, Jr. v. City of Oxford, Mississippi, No. 2002-KM-00848-SCT (Miss. Apr. 22, 2002). “§ 63-9-21 (3)(b) and (c) and § 63-9-21(6)(2001)) state: (b) The traffic ticket, citation or affidavit which is issued to a person arrested for a violation of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law shall be uniform throughout all jurisdictions in the State of Mississippi.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 63-9-21(6)(2001): 2 cases
Palmer v. City of Oxford, 860 So. 2d 1203 (Miss. 2003). “We find that this argument does not reflect the intent of Miss.Code Ann. § 63-9-21 when read as a whole.”
Lee Madison Palmer, Jr. v. City of Oxford, Mississippi, No. 2002-KM-00848-SCT (Miss. Apr. 22, 2002). “§ 63-9-21 (3)(b) and (c) and § 63-9-21(6)(2001)) state: (b) The traffic ticket, citation or affidavit which is issued to a person arrested for a violation of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law shall be uniform throughout all jurisdictions in the State of Mississippi.”
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