It is unlawful for a person to transport alcoholic liquors in a motor vehicle used as a taxi or used in the transportation of passengers for hire; however, this prohibition does not apply to lawful alcoholic liquors belonging to a passenger being transported when the alcoholic liquors are in the baggage of the passenger or upon his or her person. If alcoholic liquors are found in the vehicle, the vehicle must be seized and forfeited as provided for in Sections 61-6-4350 to 61-6-4460, and the alcoholic liquors must be seized as contraband and sold as provided in Section 61-6-4310.
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows:
(a) for a first offense, by a fine of not less than six hundred dollars or imprisonment for six months;
(b) for a second offense, by a fine of one thousand five hundred dollars or imprisonment for one year; and
(c) for a third or subsequent offense, by a fine of three thousand dollars or imprisonment for two years.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 415, Section 1.