St. Louis DWI/DUI Lawyer

It's a horrible feeling isn't it? You look up in the rearview mirror and see the police car with its lights flashing....right behind you.

Your heart rate quickens and a hundred thoughts race through your mind....because you had a couple of drinks and a highly trained law enforcement officer will be at your window in a few moments.

My name is Mark Dean - and I'm a St Louis DWI Attorney. If you're reading this, I would imagine that you, or a family member, has experienced what I described above and was arrested for DWI in St. Louis. And now, you have a lot of questions. Questions like:

• Am I going to lose my license?
• Is the DWI going to impact my job?
• Can the DWI charge be reduced?

If you have questions like these - or need immediate help with a St Lous DWI, call my office number at (314) 872-2120 - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

I really do welcome your call.

I will speak with you over the phone, or in-person at one of my offices....at no charge.

If you call during the day, and I'm in court or with a client, I'll call you back as soon as I can - and after normal business hours, I'll call you back as soon as my answering service forwards your call.

When we talk, I will not pressure you in any way....and if for some reason I cannot help you, I'll find the very best attorney in St Louis that can.

If you're looking for an experienced St Louis DWI Lawyer that knows what he's doing in a courtroom and will agressively work on your behalf, then I'd like to be the attorney you call....and here's why:

I have extensive experience in DWI litigation and work well with prosecutors. I also have no problems battling in court if needed and have no qualms about taking your case to a jury trial....if we determine that is the best option for you.

And just as important....I have extensive experience in working on getting your drivers license back.

The administrative aspect of your case (the status of your driver's license) is a completely separate issue. And most attorneys have little or no experience in front of the administrative bodies that manage this process - and do not understand the procedure and function.

As a former Administrative Attorney for the Missouri Attorney General's Office, I have extensive knowledge and skill in this area - all gained while appearing before the Missouri Department of Revenue's administrative body on a regular basis.

If you need to drive....this experience alone can make the difference in whether you will be able to continue to drive.

The bottom line is this - If you or a family member has been arrested for DWI in St Louis, call me at (314) 872-2120 so we can discuss your issue.

St Louis DWI Arrest and Penalty Information

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

1. Where are you taken after arrest? -- To the municipal or county police station in the juridiction you were arrested in.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. What's going to happen at court? -- If the case is a municipal charge, the case may be disposed of at the initial court date if you and your attorney have worked out an acceptable plea with the prosecutor or the case can be tried to the judge either at the first court date or a subsequently set one.
   
   Shoud you lose a municipal trial, a "trial de novo" can be requested, at which time it will be sent to State court and you will have a right to a jury trial. If the case originates in State court (i.e., you were arrested by the County or State police), the same procedures will generally apply but, should the case proceed to trial, you will only have one trial, which can, and should in almost all cases, be a jury trial.

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 to 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 to 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.

The Law Offices of Mark Dean is a Personal Injury Law Firm and Workers Compensation Law Firm based in the St. Louis, Missouri area and provides legal services in personal injury and workers compensation. The Law Office of Mark Dean represents and counsels clients in St. Louis City and the counties of St. Louis, Jefferson, and St. Charles, as well as in surrounding cities that include Wildwood, Ballwin, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Affton, Arnold, Manchester, Concord, Crestwood, Town and Country, Richmond Heights, Murphy, Sunset Hills, Park Hills, Eureka, Brentwood, Sappington, Shrewsbury, Valley Park, De Soto, Glendale, Rock Hill, High Ridge, Frontenac, Green Park, Byrnes Mill, Marlborough, Winchester, Hillsboro, Oakland, Lakeshire, Allenton, Dittmer, Ellisville, House Springs, Twin Oaks, Wilber Park, and other areas. Managing Attorney Mark Dean also is licensed in the state of Illinois and provides Illinois Personal Injury legal services as well.