Missouri DWI cases are prosecuted under the state’s "per se" law, meaning that it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or greater. Driving under the influence is a serious charge with substantial consequences, so it’s important to have the best legal representation available. The skilled local attorneys of 1.800.NOT.DRUNK and www.NotDrunk.com have the expertise and knowledge to defend a drunk driving charge anywhere in Missouri.

A Missouri drunk driving arrest actually triggers two separate cases – criminal and administrative. The criminal case will be pursued in court. The administrative case can result in the automatic suspension of the driver’s license. Any motorist arrested for drinking and driving in Missouri has only 15 days from the date of arrest to request an administrative hearing or risk the automatic suspension of his or her license.

The penalties for even a first-time conviction for driving under the influence in Missouri can be harsh. A first-time Missouri DWI conviction is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500 plus court costs. The motorist also faces a 90-day driver’s license suspension, but can obtain a restricted license after 30 days.

Second-offense driving while intoxicated is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 plus court costs. The driver also will lose his or her license for five years, with a hardship license available only after two years.

Conviction of three or more DWIs within 10 years may earn the driver "persistent offender" status. Any driver charged with DWI who has two or more drunk driving convictions within the past 10 years will be charged with a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. The driver also will lose his or her license for 10 years.

All drivers convicted of DWI in Missouri, even first-offenders, may be required to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicles as a term of probation. Ignition interlock devices are machines that attach to a vehicle’s steering column that prevent the car from being started if the driver has a certain amount of alcohol in his or her system.

Under Missouri’s implied consent, every motorist arrested for drunk driving must consent to a chemical test to determine blood alcohol content (BAC). Refusal to take a chemical test can be used against the driver in court, and also result in harsher penalties in court and with their driving privilege.

A Missouri drunk driving arrest can have serious or even life-changing consequences, so it’s critical to have an expert attorney protecting the driver’s rights. The knowledgeable attorneys of 1.800.NOT.DRUNK and www.NotDrunk.com have the skills and experience to fight aggressively against a DWI charge anywhere in the state and work to minimize or even eliminate negative repercussions.

DISCLAIMER: No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.