A first-time DWI in Missouri can mean jail time, high fines, and lengthy driver’s license suspensions. Having an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the state’s DUI laws is critical.
If you’re stopped and convicted of DWI in Missouri, the state will suspend your license for 90 days, though you may be eligible for a restricted license to drive to work or school.
What Happens Next?
Upon arrest, the officer will take your driver’s license and complete an Alcohol Influence Report form. Suppose the arresting officer determines you have a BAC above the legal limit. In that case, they will provide you with a Notice of Suspension/Revocation of your driving privileges and a 15-day driving permit. You have 15 days to file an administrative hearing with the Department of Revenue to retain your driving privileges.
If you are charged with a DUI, you must hire a skilled criminal attorney to fight your case for you. A DUI on your record can affect your employment and make it difficult to secure housing or conduct any activity requiring a background check. A good Missouri DWI defense attorney can help you avoid jail time and serious penalties. In some cases, a good attorney can even get the charge dismissed. A first-offense DWI can result in a minimum of 48 hours of Shock Time.
Fines and Court Costs
A first-time Missouri DWI is a Class B misdemeanor criminal offense. A second offense escalates to a Class C misdemeanor; a third conviction is a Class A felony.
Fines for a first offense can be as much as $1,000 plus court costs. A court could also require you to attend an alcohol or drug education program that costs several hundred dollars. In addition, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device on your car, which can cost $75 per month. You may also be required to attend a Victims Impact Panel, which costs $50.
The court could also place you on probation for two years, and private probation office supervision fees can run several hundred dollars per year. Finally, you must pay for your criminal defense attorney, who must be paid once your case is completed. An experienced lawyer can help you mount a strong legal defense to avoid the harsh penalties of an impaired driving conviction.
Jail Time
Depending on the circumstances, a first-time DUI conviction carries the possibility of a few days in jail. It also may result in a license suspension or revocation by the Department of Revenue. An experienced DUI attorney can work to keep your driving privileges intact by getting the case dismissed or negotiating for probation without a conviction. Individuals with commercial driver’s licenses face additional restrictions and must attend an alcohol or drug treatment program as part of their probation.
Retaining legal counsel as soon as possible after a DUI arrest is crucial. A limited window after the arrest allows us to file an administrative hearing for your driving privileges. If we do not file a hearing within that window, the Department of Revenue will suspend your driving privileges automatically. Generally, the first offense DUI is treated as a misdemeanor. However, if the incident involves serious injury or property damage to another person, it is classified as a felony.
Long-Term Consequences
Missouri has very stiff penalties for drunk driving; even a first-time offense can carry real jail time. Depending on the outcome of your case, you could be sentenced to spend up to six months in either the Municipal or Circuit Court. Moreover, you may be forced to serve a few days of “Shock Time” in County Jail as part of any plea deal that involves probation.
Other long-term consequences of a DWI conviction include costly fines and fees, a mandatory ignition interlock device requirement, court-ordered alcohol treatment or education programs, and an administrative license suspension. Having an experienced DWI lawyer on your side is vital to minimizing the costs of these convictions and protecting your rights.
If you have been charged with a DWI in Missouri, you need a St. Louis DWI attorney who is aggressive, skilled, and knowledgeable. Call now for a free consultation. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better your chances are for beating these charges and keeping them off your record.