Understanding SONAR in Municipal Court: What Clerks Need to Know

What does SONAR primarily reflect?

• Finalized outcomes

• Dismissed cases

• Pending non-adjudication cases

• Out-of-state license holders

Why do pending non-adjudication cases not appear in SONAR?

• They involve out-of-state license holders

• They are still in a conditional or compliance status

• They are considered final dispositions

• They are dismissed immediately

What is the primary cause of confusion regarding SONAR registry?

• Misunderstanding statutes

• Misunderstanding timing and data flow

• Incorrect submission of dispositions

• Errors in court software

What happens when a defendant enters a non-adjudication program?

• The case is dismissed immediately

• The court submits a final disposition to DPS

• The case is entered as pending non-adjudication

• The case appears in SONAR

What is required for a case to appear in SONAR for in-state license holders?

• Pending non-adjudication status

• Final disposition processed by DPS

• Dismissal of the case

• Out-of-state license jurisdiction

Why do cases involving out-of-state license holders not appear in SONAR?

• SONAR only reflects in-state license holders

• They are not submitted to DPS

• They are dismissed automatically

• They are considered pending indefinitely

What should clerks do when a defendant completes all conditions of non-adjudication?

• Contact Mississippi DPS Driver Services

• Submit the initial disposition to DPS

• Dismiss the case

• Enter a Final Order of Non-Adjudication

What is the clerk’s responsibility regarding SONAR data display?

• Ensuring cases appear in SONAR

• Accurate and timely reporting

• Correcting downstream system behavior

• Updating dismissed cases in SONAR

What should clerks do if they have questions about SONAR or Driver Services records?

• Re-enter the disposition

• Submit a formal complaint

• Contact Mississippi DPS Driver Services

• Ignore the issue

What does the Step-by-Step Non-Adjudication Workflow resource provide?

• A guide to SONAR registry errors

• A breakdown of non-adjudication case processing

• Instructions for dismissing cases

• A list of Mississippi DPS contacts