MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Endt

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW CODE SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 97-9-74, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR THE OPERATOR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE TO FAIL OR REFUSE TO BRING HIS VEHICLE TO A STOP WHEN PURSUED BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE DISPLAYING EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND/OR SOUNDING AN AUDIBLE SIREN; TO PRESCRIBE A PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS OF SUCH LAW; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 97-9-74, Mississippi Code of 1972:

97-9-74. (1) It is unlawful for the operator of any motor vehicle that is pursued by a law enforcement vehicle which displays blinking, rotating, flashing or oscillating blue emergency lights and/or sounds an audible siren, to knowingly fail or refuse to bring his vehicle to a stop in accordance with the directions of a law enforcement officer.

(2) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (1) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(3) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to repeal, amend or modify any other criminal statute of this state.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.