Dash cams are fully legal in Mississippi with no specific statutes regulating their use or placement. The primary rule is avoiding obstruction of the driver’s view, leading experts to recommend dashboard mounting over windshield.
Audio recordings follow one-party consent laws, protecting footage admissibility.
Legality and Usage
Mississippi permits dash cams for personal vehicles without licensing, registration, or disclosure requirements.
They can record video and audio while driving or parked, aiding insurance claims, accidents, or disputes. Police interactions are recordable publicly without consent, as First Amendment protections apply.
No bans exist on rear cams, interior cams, or fleet use, though commercial drivers follow FMCSA guidelines.
Mounting and Placement Rules
No dedicated dash cam law, but Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-203 prohibits objects obstructing windshield view forward or side-to-side. Mount on the dashboard to comply safely—windshield placement risks tickets if it impairs vision.
Best spots: dashboard center or low on windshield; avoid wiper sweep for clarity. Secure mounts prevent detachment; suction cups or adhesives work if non-obstructive.
Audio Recording Consent
Mississippi is a one-party consent state (Miss. Code Ann. § 41-29-531(e)): record if you consent as a party, even secretly from others. This covers passenger conversations or police stops—no all-party notification needed. Expectation of privacy limits interior audio in private settings.
Disable audio if concerned, but it’s legal for road-facing cams.
Privacy and Sharing Considerations
Public road footage is unrestricted for personal use; sharing online is fine absent defamation. License plates and faces may be blurred ethically. Dash cam evidence is admissible in court if legally obtained. No duty to disclose during traffic stops.
Penalties for Violations
Obstruction tickets: moving violation fine (~$100-$250), possible points on license. Illegal recording (no-party consent): misdemeanor (up to 6 months jail, $500 fine). Rare for dash cams if compliant.
Best Practices
Choose cams with G-sensors, loop recording, GPS. Test for obstructions pre-drive. Route cables discreetly along headliner/A-pillar. Update firmware; backup footage. Check insurance for discounts with verified cams.
Mississippi’s lax rules favor safe, responsible use—enhance safety without legal worries.
SOURCES :
- https://jjkellercompliancenetwork.com/regsense/dashboard-cameras-mississippi
- https://www.ddpai.com/blog/dash-cam-laws/
