St Louis DWI Attorney - St Louis DUI Lawyer

St. Louis DWI/DUI Lawyer

The choice of a St. Louis DWI Attorney can make all the difference in your outcome. I have extensive experience in DWI litigation (and personal injury litigation) and thus have no qualms about taking your case to a jury trial if it is determined that is the best choice.

Most St Louis DWI lawyers simply "cop a plea" as quickly and painlessly as possible. This approach can have dire consequences for your future.

As to the administrative aspect of your case (the status of your license), most attorneys have little or no experience in front of administrative bodies and do not understand the procedure and function. As a former Administrative Attorney for the Missouri Attorney General's Office, I have an extensive knowledge and skill before the Missouri Department of Revenue's administrative body.

This experience alone can make the difference in whether you will be able to continue to drive without interruption.

Just below, you'll see two additional areas I suggest you review.

First, what happens after an arrest for a DWI.

And Second, what are the penalties and jail times for DWI in St. Louis.

I urge you to take two minutes and review what you, or a family member, is facing after an arrest for a DWI.

What Happens After An Arrest For DWI In The St. Louis Area

Where are you taken after arrest? -- To the municipal or county police station in the juridiction you were arrested in.
How do you get released? -- Normally on your own recognizance - or promise to show up for the court date. In more serious cases, you may have to post a bond to be released (or await, in jail, disposition of the criminal charges). If you need to post a bond, please call me so I can help arrange bail.
When will a court date be set? -- Normally, you will be given a ticket setting the court date. You will also be given a piece of paper allowing you to drive for a very short period of time (usually 15 days) while you decide whether to challenge the suspension of your drivers license. Now is the time to find a professional St Louis DWI Lawyer.
What's going to happen at court? -- You can have up to 3 court appearances on the criminal charge. The first is the "arraignment" where you plead guilty or not guilty. The case may be disposed of at this initial court date if you and your attorney have worked out an acceptable plea with the prosecutor. The second court date is a "pretrial hearing" where your attorney will be able to fully assess the evidence against you. The case may then proceed to a trial. You have a right to a jury trial in DWI cases.

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Overview

Missouri law refers to operating a motor vehicle under the suspicion of being improperly influenced by drugs or alcohol as Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). Illinois law (and most other states) refer the same thing as Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

A driver in St Louis, Missouri is deemed to be intoxicated if he has a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08. However, a driver can be found guilty of a DWI without a BAC finding.

There are two components to a DWI case:

When a driver is believed to be intoxicated, he or she will normally face criminal charges, which have to be resolved in State or Municipal Court.
In addition, the person's driver's license will be at risk, which is usually resolved by an administrative proceeding with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Criminal charges And Penalties For DWI in St. Louis

Where you have no other similar charge in the past, you face a maximum penalty of $500.00 and up to 6 months imprisonment.
A second DWI offense carries a maximum penalty of $1,000.00 and up to 1 year in prison.
A third DWI offense carries a maximum penalty of $5,000.00 and up to 5 years in prison.
You need an experienced DWI attorney to keep you out of prison, and in most cases, depending on the circumstances, keep these criminal charges off your permanent record.

Status Of Your Driver's License

If you "blew" 0.08 or above:

If you do not request an administrative hearing, or if you lose at such a hearing, you will face a a 90-day license suspension if this is your first DWI. Following a period of 30 days of no driving, you be allowed to drive for limited purposes (i.e., work, school) for the remaining 60 days of the 90 day suspension. If you need keep your license, this is where a talented St Louis DUI Attorney can help.

If you have a prior DWI, you will face a one-year license revocation, with no possibility of a limited driving privilege for the entire year.

If you have a more extensive history of DWI's, you may face either a 5 year of 10 year revocation of your license.

If you refused to blow (or did not complete the test properly):

If you do not file a Petition for Review, or if you lose such a hearing, you will be given a one year license suspension.

If you have no prior history of DWI, you may be able to receive a limited driving privilege following the first 90 days of such a suspension.

It is imperative to hire an attorney well versed in the these administrative processes (and how to successfully challenge them) so that you may not lose your driving privilege for any amount of time.

If you, or a family member needs assistance with a DUI in St Louis, please give me a call at (314) 872-2120 for a free consultation.