What to Know if You are Facing Charges for DWI

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Dwi Missouri First Offense: Penalties and Fines

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DWI Law Clinic

What to Know if You are Facing Charges for DWI

In most states, including Missouri, DWI is a misdemeanor punishable by law, and a first-offense DWI is charged as a Class B misdemeanor.

Missouri DWI laws are stringent, and if you are caught driving while intoxicated or drugged, you may face severe criminal charges. A conviction could result in high fines, jail time, or even driver’s license suspension, even if this is your first offense.

If you have been arrested and charged with a DWI in Missouri, it’s crucial to seek legal counsel from an experienced attorney who understands the state’s DWI laws. The Ozarks Law Clinic can help you navigate the legal process and protect your rights.

 

What Is the Penalty for DWI in Missouri?

It is important to note that the jail period increases with each DWI offense. Since a first-offense DWI is charged as a Class B misdemeanor, a convicted person’s maximum jail sentence is up to 6 months or a fine of up to $500.

If a judge chooses to suspend the sentence, the convicted person will be forced to complete two years of probation or, at times, a court-ordered substance abuse treatment. The judge may also order installing an ignition interlock device (IID) on the offender’s vehicle.

An IID is a device that requires the driver to blow into it before the engine starts. If the device detects alcohol on the driver’s breath, the engine will not start.

 

First Offense DWI Missouri Jail Time for High-BAC Offenses

However, if this is your first offense and you were pulled over for driving while intoxicated and the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.15% or more, the DWI penalties against you will be severe. If you meet this legal limit, the penalty for your DWI conviction will include a minimum of 48 hours of jail time.

For a blood alcohol content of at least 0.20%, you will be sentenced to at least five days in jail.

Missouri DWI Sentencing Guidelines First Offense

The following is the definition of DWI under Missouri DWI law: A person in Missouri is driving while intoxicated if he operates a private or commercial motor vehicle while intoxicated or drugged.

Driving while intoxicated is categorized as a Class B misdemeanor. No persons who have been convicted or at least have pleaded guilty shall be granted a suspended imposition of sentence unless the person is put on probation for the next two years.

Missouri sentencing guidelines for DWI further state that no person who operates a vehicle with an excessive blood alcohol content of 0.15% or more shall be granted a suspended imposition of sentence. The jail period for such a person is 48 hours, as mentioned.

 

Appealing a DWI Conviction in Missouri

If you were arrested and convicted of a first-offense DWI, you could appeal your case to the circuit court. However, it is important to note that appeals are granted only if the lower court made a mistake or there was an error in the administrative hearing process.

A DWI conviction will remain on your Missouri driver record even if the appeal is granted. Therefore, it is essential to seek the help of an experienced attorney to ensure that your rights are protected throughout the legal process.

Our team of experienced DWI lawyers at Ozarks Law Clinic will work with you to challenge your first offense DWI conviction and protect your rights. We will review your case thoroughly, assess your evidence, and work to protect your driving privileges or reduce excessive penalties.

Missouri DWI Sentencing Guidelines First Offense

Missouri DWI Statute of Limitations

In Missouri, the statute of limitations starts the day after the offense. The prosecution has a maximum of one year to file charges for a misdemeanor DWI offense, while felony crimes have a three-year statute of limitations.

First DWI Offense Costs in Missouri

The costs of a DWI will vary significantly for all first offenses. The following is a quick breakdown of the costs you could face with a first-offense DWI in Missouri.

 

Fines (Up to $500)

According to Missouri law, if this is your first offense, you will be fined a maximum of $500 for driving while intoxicated. The fine of up to $500 is not the only punishment issued; this will also be followed by six months of county jail time.

Court Costs (Up to $100 or more)

From simple speeding tickets to those complicated DWI felony criminal charges, there will always be court costs associated with the type of case. These court costs are paid once the court hearings are done, and the court has issued the DWI criminal penalties against you. These fees are typically under $100, but more complex cases can carry heavier fees.

 

Probation Fees (Up to $600)

Most probation terms issued by a Missouri DWI court are primarily for a maximum of 2 years. The person accused of driving in an intoxicated condition is supervised by a probation officer, who will be paid at the end of the two-year session.

 

Substance Abuse Traffic Offender’s Program (Varies Between $500-$1300)

According to Missouri DWI law, you will automatically get your driving license suspended once you are arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI).

Not only will you be fined or put on probation, but you will be required to visit the Missouri Department of Revenue to renew your driver’s license after suspension or revocation. There are a few Substance Abuse Traffic Offenders Programs (SATOP) that you can be placed into. The cost varies based on the level of the offense and the program you are in.

 

Attorney Fees

Criminal defense attorneys must also be paid to defend one’s alcohol-related driving offense. A Missouri DWI charge is very complicated, with many delicate details that need to be handled by an experienced DWI attorney. Since attorneys do not work for free, they will need to be paid once the case has been finalized.

The total cost of representation varies depending on the type of case and the lawyer’s experience. However, you get precisely what you pay for. Having a skilled DWI attorney on your side can help reduce the cost of your DWI in other ways.

 

Total Minimum Cost For First Offense DWI Missouri

Looking at the DWI penalties, fines, probation, SATOP, and attorney fees, the total cost of a first offense is typically a minimum of $2500. This means that an $8 bottle of vodka will cost you more if you get behind the wheel.

How to Get Out of a DWI in Court as a First-Time Offender in Missouri

When a law enforcement officer pulls you over for field sobriety tests, and they find you drunk driving and charge you for an alcohol-related traffic offense, you are innocent until the prosecuting attorney finds you guilty.

Once a DWI arrest has been issued, you will need a reasonable DWI attorney to help you with your criminal case and help you get out of a DWI in court.

One of the most effective ways to beat a DWI charge is identifying legal flaws in any key evidence required for a DWI conviction. Possible defenses include:

  • an inaccurate chemical test

  • no probable cause for the DWI stop

  • errors of dishonesty in the arresting officer’s testimony

  • medical conditions

Your DWI lawyer can use this to fight your DWI charge and maintain your driving record and driving privileges.

At the court hearing, there is always an officer from the Department of Revenue who oversees the proceedings, the arresting officer, and any witnesses he may have. These are the people your attorney will look out for to help you get out of a DWI in court.

Arguments, motions, and objections are ways that first-time offenders can fight DWI charges and help them get out of court. An experienced DWI lawyer can maneuver around this and help you accordingly.

Whether you are a first-time offender or have prior DWI convictions, it is essential to have a qualified attorney who knows how to get out of a DWI in court. Missouri DWI laws are harsh, and the penalties can be significant. Reach out to an attorney today to help protect your future.

Consult an Experienced DUI Attorney in Missouri to Represent Your Case

If this is your first offense in alcohol-related offense, numerous possible defenses can be raised to protect your Constitutional rights. That is why you need the experienced lawyers from Ozarks DWI Law Clinic by your side to beat those DWI charges.

We have handled countless Missouri DWI cases, allowing our clients to pick up the pieces of their lives after a DWI arrest.

Be sure to turn to us if you ever face DWI charges. When you reach out to our law office for a free consultation, we’ll listen to your story attentively and help you begin constructing a solid defense.