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St. Louis DWI Lawyers

1. Shostak & Shostak: Being arrested for a DWI offense or other criminal allegation can be a frightening experience. If you are convicted of driving while intoxicated, possession of drugs or another charge, life as you know it will change. A criminal record will affect your future and possibly your livelihood, which is why you need to contact an experienced St. Louis criminal defense attorney. You have the right to defend yourself in court, but you will need someone on your side who knows the law, the court system, the opposition and the judges.
2. Hammer Law Firm: Over the past decade, there has been a major push to curb incidents of drunk driving. Missouri police and prosecutors are actively cracking down on drunk drivers. The legislature has issued tough laws against drunk driving that carry severe penalties. If you have been arrested for DUI/DWI in Missouri, do not make the mistake of assuming that drunk driving is just a minor charge. The penalties for drunk driving may include jail time, probation, court ordered alcohol treatment, monetary fines, community service and a driver's license suspension. If you are convicted of drunk driving, you will have a criminal record that could cost you your job or limit your future employment opportunities. Because the penalties increase with each subsequent DUI/DWI offense, it is critical to fight every drunk driving charge aggressively.
3. Alan & Summary: There are some important things to understand about DWI law (or DUI law) in Missouri. A DWI/DUI charge triggers two separate actions: 1. A criminal charge A criminal charge means that you have been accused of committing a crime and are facing some sort of punishment (i.e. fines, probation, jail time, etc.). You have the right to have a trial and the right to have an attorney. You do not however, have the right to a DWI attorney experienced in DWI laws. 2. An administrative action against your license An administrative action relates solely to what is going to happen to your driverÕs license. Since an administrative action does not involve jail time, you do not have a right to an attorney (meaning you have to hire one on your own) or a right to a trial by jury. If your blood alcohol content was over the legal limit (or you refused a breathalyzer test) a suspension or revocation of your driving privilege is automatic unless the suspension is fought and won. This is true even if the criminal charge was reduced to a lesser charge or otherwise disposed of. You have 15 days from the date of the Notice of Suspension or Revocation to request an administrative hearing. If you do not request a hearing, a suspension or revocation will begin on the 15th day after your arrest, and it is final. This is why it is important that you hire an experienced DWI attorney as soon as possible. A DWI/DUI Conviction has consequences: Criminally A criminal conviction for driving while intoxicated can result in anything from probation to up to 15 years in prison depending on the amount of prior DWI/DUIÕs that you have. The harsh penalties in the DUI laws are why you need an experienced DUI lawyer. Administratively Depending on the amount of prior DWI or DUIÕs that you have, a conviction can result in as little as a 30 day driver's license suspension to a much as a 10 year driver's license denial. If you have a commercial drivers license there can also be serious ramifications that could effect your ability to drive a commercial vehicle and you should contact a DUI attorney immediately.
4. Bruntrager & Billings: Consequences of a DWI In Missouri, if you are pulled over for drinking and driving, you could be facing a range of penalties with the pending DWI charges. Our lawyers defend clients who are facing charges, including: * Vehicular manslaughter * Vehicular assault * Driver's license suspension and revocation * Limited driving privileges * Repeat DWI charges The Importance of Hiring an Attorney Many people think that once they are arrested for drunk driving, they have no chance at winning their case. That is not true. We have experience challenging the legality of the arrest and the administration of the breath test. If you were arrested for a DWI, it is important to contact an attorney as quickly as possible.
5. Summary, Justin: There are some important things to understand if you are arrested for a DWI in Missouri. A DWI/DUI charge triggers two separate actions: 1. A criminal charge A criminal charge means that you have been accused of committing a crime and are facing some sort of punishment (i.e. fines, probation, jail time, etc.). You have a right to have a trial and a right to have this trial in front of a jury of your peers 2. An administrative action against your license An administrative action relates solely to what is going to happen to your driverÕs license. Since an administrative action does not involve jail time, you do not have a right to an attorney (meaning you have to hire one on your own) or a right to a trial by jury. If your blood alcohol content was over the legal limit (or you refused a breathalyzer test) a suspension or revocation of your driving privilege is automatic unless the suspension is fought and won. This is true even if the criminal charge was reduced to a lesser charge or otherwise disposed of. You have 15 days from the date of the Notice of Suspension or Revocation to request an administrative hearing. Once that is done a hearing is scheduled in the county of you arrest. If you do not request a hearing, a suspension or revocation will begin on the 15th day after your arrest, and it is final. This is why it is important that you hire an attorney as soon as possible. A DWI/DUI Conviction has consequences: Criminally A criminal conviction for driving while intoxicated can result in anything from probation to up to 15 years in prison depending on the amount of prior DWI/DUIÕs that you have. The harsh penalities in the DUI laws are why you need an attorney experienced in DUI/DWI defense. Administratively Depending on the amount of prior DWI or DUIÕs that you have, a conviction can result in as little as a 30 day driver's license suspension to a much as a 10 year driver's license denial. If you have a commercial drivers license there can also be serious ramifications that could effect your ability to drive a commercial vehicle and you should contact a lawyer immediately.
6. Lutfiyya Law Firm: ItÕs important to understand when you receive a DWI that there are two separate aspects to the problem with two different sets of consequences: 1) The administrative suspension or revocation of your driverÕs license (the ÒAdministrative CaseÓ); and 2) The criminal prosecution for committing the offense of driving while intoxicated (the ÒCriminal CaseÓ). The ÒAdministrative CaseÓ: If youÕve receive a DWI after submitting to a test of your blood alcohol and it was found to be over the legal limit, you should have received a notice from the arresting police agency that your license is automatically suspended for a period of thirty days, followed by a sixty day period of limited driving privilege, if otherwise eligible. If, on the other hand, youÕve received a DWI for refusing to submit to a test, you should have received notice that your license will be revoked for one year. The suspension or revocation may be longer depending on prior alcohol or drug related driving offenses. In either case, the matter is extremely time sensitive because you have only fifteen days from the date of your arrest to request an administrative hearing if you failed the test, or thirty days to file a Petition for Review of the administrative revocation in the court of the county in which you were arrested if you refused the test. Most of the time, if the proper procedures are followed, your administrative suspension or revocation will be stayed and will not take effect until the Administrative Case is closed. The ÒCriminal CaseÓ: The Criminal Case refers to the prosecution against you for the crime of driving while intoxicated and usually includes other citations that you received at the time of your arrest. If convicted of driving while intoxicated, the court could sentence you to a fine, jail time or a combination of both. Additionally, if convicted, the court reports the conviction to the Department of Revenue which then assesses points to your license. The assessment of points to your license, although different than the administrative suspension or revocation discussed above, would also likely result in your license being suspended or revoked.
7. Burstein Law Firm: Traffic Law: Driving While Intoxicated (DWI/DUI) ¥ All Traffic Violations ¥ Driving while suspended ¥ Driving while revoked ¥ Leaving the scene of an accident ¥ No insurance ¥ And many more.
8. Heller, Gallagher & Finley: * DUI (Driving Under the Influence) * DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) * Traffic Violations * Drug Crimes * Parole and Probation
9. Barberio, Charles: * DWI o Save your license o Reduce punishment o Preserve your criminal record o Administrative hearings o Petition for review * Criminal defense o Drug charges - marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, prescription drugs o Weapons charges o Warrant recalls o Assault and battery * Misdemeanors * Felonies
10. Sindel, Sindel & Noble: DWI, federal and state drug charges and other felonies
11. Bante Law Firm: * Family law and domestic relations: divorce, child custody and child support, and other issues * Real estate: residential and commercial transactions and disputes * Business and commercial law: business organization and dissolution, contracts, transactions and disputes * Estate planning: wills, advance medical directives, trusts and powers of attorney * Probate administration * Traffic and DWI/DUI defense: including speeding tickets and driver's license suspension
12. Hamilton & Piper: DUI/DWI - This is a serious charge. Typically the best way to defend against it is to discover procedural errors in your arrest or mishandling of evidence.
13. Hoffman, Stephen: DWI/DUI If you are charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence of drugs, it is essential to hire a lawyer immediately. There are two components to a DWI in Missouri. The first component is the criminal DWI charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated or impaired. The second component is the administrative hearing pertaining to your driving privileges. In Missouri, your driver's license is automatically suspended if you are arrested for a DWI. You can challenge the suspension in an administrative hearing, but you have to ask for a hearing within the time limitations.
14. Greene & Taylor: Your driving privileges could be suspended or revoked for a number of reasons, including the accumulation of too many points on your driver's license or a court ordered suspension. If you continue to drive while your privileges are limited you are risking receiving a driving while revoked (DWR) or driving while suspended (DWS) if you are caught. Now you face jail time and fines.
15. Ridings Group: DUI/DWI cases stem from the arrest of an individual for operating a motor vehicle while having a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) over the limit prescribed by law. Penalties can include fines, driver's license suspension or revocation, mandatory attendance at DUI schools, community service, probation, installation of a breath alcohol ignition interlock device, or a term of imprisonment. Additionally, individuals who refuse to submit to blood alcohol or field sobriety tests may also face criminal liability. In the early stages of a DUI/DWI case, prior to the filing of formal charges, our firm strives to find ways to minimize our clients' criminal liability. Once charges have been filed, the attorneys at The Ridings Group, LLC work diligently to provide the best possible defense. Our firm is committed to timely, personalized interaction with our clients, including regular discussions of the strengths and weaknesses of each client's case, so that our clients have the necessary information to make informed decisions at each stage of the criminal process.
16. Jones & Rath: Automobile Liability Criminal Defense LawLitigation Felonies and Misdemeanors DrugsNarcotics Domestic Violence Driving Under the Influence DUI and Bond Reductions Driving While Intoxicated DWI Expungements Flourishing a Weapon Forgery Insurance Bad Faith Juvenile Crimes Motorcycle Accidents Parole and Probation Personal Injury Auto Accidents and Injuries Premises Liability Probation Violations Rape Seatbelt Injuries Sex Crimes Sexual Abuse Sexual Misconduct Sexual Offenses Weapons Crimes Carrying a Concealed Weapon Slip and Fall Accidents Traffic Violations Trucking Accidents Whiplash White Collar Crimes Work Related Accidents Head and Spinal Cord Injuries Restaurant and Hotel NegligenceLiability Wrongful Death
17. Mandel, Todd: A person commit the offense of evidence tampering when he or she, with the knowledge that an investigation or an official proceeding is in progress, alters, destroys, or conceals any record, document, or item in order to impair its verity, legibility, or availability as evidence in the investigation or the official proceeding. More... Q: Do I need a lawyer to represent me even if I am innocent? A: Every criminal defendant needs an attorney. Innocent defendants are perhaps in even greater need of zealous representation throughout the criminal process to ensure that their rights are protected and that the truth prevails. Even innocent people end up in jail, so the best way to prevent that miscarriage of justice is to employ the services of a seasoned veteran of criminal defense law, particularly one with experience defending against drug charges. Q: If I simply intend to plead guilty, why do I need a lawyer? A: Even if you are guilty of the drug crime with which you are charged, it is imperative that you seek the advice of experienced counsel so that you can minimize your sentence and maximize your opportunities to move ahead toward a brighter future. Criminal defense attorneys are needed to equalize the balance of power between the defendant and the prosecution and to ensure that the constitutional rights that are guaranteed to all criminal defendants, whether guilty or not, are preserved.
18. Bollwerk & Ryan: When you are pulled over and given a citation for any type of traffic violation, pleading guilty can have a domino effect on your life. Your can lose points on your driving record, your insurance rates can double, you can lose your license and right to drive. In some cases, you can lose your job if you drive a vehicle for a living.
19. Ciuffa, Robert: If you have been arrested for or charged with DWI or DUI, you could face penalties including driver's license suspension, fines and jail time. I strive to minimize the impact these charges and a conviction have on your rights and freedoms. If you have been arrested for drunk driving in Missouri, did you know that the blood-alcohol test you took might not be scientifically valid? The legal blood-alcohol limit in Missouri is .08 for adults. For people under the age of 21, we have the "zero tolerance" or "abuse and lose" law. For juveniles, the BAC is .02. These numbers are crucial to your case. In addition to other elements, the prosecution has to prove your blood-alcohol content (BAC), and it is determined by blood-alcohol tests.
20. Kessler, Lawton: In the case of a DWI or other alcohol related charge, an S.I.S. can result in no record with the Driver's License Bureau and the defendant will not receive any points on their license. Whether you're a first time offender or have been arrested before for a serious traffic violation, the help of a skilled traffic violations attorney who knows the local law and the courts can make the difference between beating a ticket and losing your license.
21. Inskip, Corey: DWI is a very serious offense with negative, far-reaching effects. A drunk driving arrest can result in driver's license suspension or loss of your license altogether. Depending on whether it's your first offense other penalties may include jail time, substantial fines, community service, enrollment substance abuse treatment program and/or a criminal record conviction.
22. Hocking & Dulle: The penalties for drunk driving in Missouri are very serious and include fines, suspension of your driver's license and possible jail time.
23. Law & Schreiner: If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, it is important to know how the prosecutors are building their case against you.
24. Lauber, Gary: If you have been charged with a DWI in Missouri, or traffic violations, you need a criminal defense lawyer who will defend your rights, your driving record, and your driver's license. A drunk-driving charge must be handled quickly and diligently; in addition to defending you from the charge of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence, you will have a driver's license suspension issue to deal with. Missouri DWI laws make it very clear. If you are stopped by a police office and register a blood alcohol level above .08, you can be charged with drunk driving, DUI, DWI, or a similar charge for driving while impaired. Police are under a strict set of legal and constitutional requirements when making a stop for probable cause for drunk driving, and many DWI charges simply don't stand up to legal scrutiny. At the DWI / DUI defese law offices of Gary Lauber, we believe in standing up for your rights, even when police and prosecutors conveniently forget to.
25. Millikan & Millikan: Drunk driving cases can be staggering in their complexity, raising a variety of serious and highly technical Constitutional Law issues. In order to effectively handle DUI/DWI cases, a criminal defense lawyer must have a solid background in anatomy, biology, chemistry, physiology, and toxicology, and an intimate understanding of the function and operation of the various testing instruments and procedures used by hospital and laboratories in measuring alcohol and/or other drugs in the human body.
26. Charpentier, Jason: Because traffic citations and DWI charges are more commonplace than they once were, people often have the misconception that they are not important and will result in little more than a slap on the wrist. This is not the case. Accumulation of traffic violations and DWI charges can lead to consequences that are far more severe than the temporary suspension of your driver's license.
27. McMahon, Taaffe & Wold: Administrative Hearing for a Suspended License In addition to your criminal case, you also need an attorney to represent you in an administrative hearing. If you refuse to submit to a Breathalyzer or field sobriety test, you can automatically lose your license before trial, because you are deemed to have violated MissouriÕs implied consent law. That law states that there has been probable cause for you to submit to a test. Within 14 days of your arrest, or 30 days if you refused a breath test, we must schedule a hearing before the Secretary of State's Driver Assessment and Appeal Division (DAAD). Failure to do schedule a hearing will result in a longer driver's license suspension for a year or longer.
28. Coke Law Firm: IÕve received a ticket for DWI/DUI in Missouri, what is going to happen now? If this is your first time DWI, and you blew over a .08%, there are probably two separate proceedings initiated against you.Ê First, you have the underlying DWI charge in criminal court.Ê Additionally, after being arrested and booked, you were given some paperwork and a fifteen (15) day driving permit.Ê The State of Missouri has enacted a statute that allows the Department of Revenue to suspend your license automatically for thirty (30) days, followed by a sixty (60) day restriction on driving.Ê This suspension is separate and distinct from your criminal offense.Ê It is important to note that the suspension will begin automatically on the sixteenth (16th) day unless you complete the form requesting and Administrative Hearing. You should discuss with your attorney whether or not to file the request for administrative hearing.Ê Many times, the suspension is upheld in the hearing because the only issue to be decided by the Administrative Hearing officer is whether or not there was probable cause to believe that you were driving a motor vehicle while the alcohol concentration in your blood was .08% or more by weight.Ê In many cases, this is relatively easy for the State to prove.Ê However, in many cases, if the officer did not administer the sobriety or breathalyzer test properly, follow all necessary procedures, including training, and complete the forms completely and accurately, the evidence may be excluded and the driver may be successful in having their license reinstated.Ê Filing the request for Administrative Hearing also delays the time by which the thirty (30) suspension begins to run until after the hearing.Ê Keep in mind, however, that the hearing is a legal proceeding and requires the representation of your attorney, which may be expensive, depending upon the length and type of evidence involved. How can an attorney help me with my DUI/DWI? Driving While Intoxicated on the first offense is a Class B Misdemeanor.Ê Upon conviction, it carries a potential penalty of up to six (6) months in jail and a $500.00 fine and eight (8) points on your driving record.Ê My job as your attorney is two-fold:Ê examine the police report and all other evidence against you to determine the likelihood of acquittal at trial, and if it is unlikely the case will be dismissed, negotiate with the prosecutor the best possible plea agreement on your behalf. What type of plea agreement can I get? Upon speaking with the prosecutor, if this is your first offense, it is possible for your attorney to negotiate a Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS) with a period of probation.Ê With an SIS, you are agreeing to plead guilty to the charge, however, the sentence will not be imposed upon you unless you violate your probation during your probation period.Ê If you successfully complete your probation, the sentence will never be imposed, and you will not be assessed any points on your license.Ê This type of an agreement usually involves conditions such as taking the Substance Abuse Traffic OffenderÕs Program (SATOP), attending a victim impact panel, community service, and payment of recoupment fees to the police department. What are my responsibilities? 1. Complete SATOP.Ê This is a class that will have to be taken as a condition of probation, as well as to get reinstated administratively.Ê You should try to sign up for the class early, and preferably have the course completed prior to your court date, to show compliance when a plea is requested.Ê If you cannot complete the course prior to your court date, you can sign up for the class the day of court or after, and there will likely be SATOP representatives in the courtroom on the day of the hearing. 2. Make sure the other conditions imposed by the court are met, such as getting your community service completed, paying any fines and court costs, paying any recoupment fees, and meeting with your probation officer initially and at all required times. 3. Obtain SR-22 insurance.Ê On the Administrative side, you must obtain SR-22 (high risk) insurance to be eligible for reinstatement.Ê You may call your (or any other) insurance company to purchase the necessary policy. 4. Pay the reinstatement fee to the Department of Revenue and send in your SATOP certificate and proof of SR-22 insurance in order to have your driverÕs license reinstated. 5. Appear in court at all times instructed by your attorney.Ê Once the case is set for trial or a plea, you will need to appear in court in front of the judge on a specific date.Ê You must be on time and dressed appropriately (business casual or business Ð no jeans, shorts, cut-offs, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, t-shirts, etc.). What is this DUI/DWI going to cost? 1. AttorneyÕs fees.Ê The attorneyÕs fees will vary depending on a variety of factors, including whether you want your attorney to pursue the Administrative Hearing.Ê My fees of $500 includes consultations and interviews with you regarding the facts of your case, entering an appearance on your behalf with the court, requesting and reviewing all evidence and reports in your file, discussing my opinion of the opportunity for success at trial with you, attending the pre-trial hearing or plea agreement, and negotiating a plea agreement on your behalf.Ê In the event you decide you want me to represent you at an Administrative Hearing or you choose to take your case to trial, charges will be billed on an hourly basis. 2. Fines and court costs.Ê If you receive an SIS on the DWI, you will only pay court costs and a recoupment fee for that charge.Ê If there is a companion charge (like speeding, improper lane usage or defective equipment) you may have to plead guilty on those charges and pay a fine plus court costs depending on the plea agreement. 3. SR-22 Insurance.Ê The fee for this high-risk insurance is generally much more than your regular insurance rates.Ê Contact your insurance company to determine the exact cost. 4. SATOP.Ê There is a fee for the SATOP class.Ê It is generally around $100. 5. Community Service.Ê If community service is part of the plea agreement, there may be a cost to participate in a community service program. 6. Recoupment fees.Ê As part of the plea agreement, you may be required to ÒrepayÓ the police department for the time and expense it incurred for your arrest.Ê This fee is usually between $50 and $100. 7. Reinstatement fees.Ê A reinstatement fee of $45 is charged for each violation by the Department of Revenue in order for you to get your license back. 8. Restitution.Ê If there was an accident involved, you may be ordered to show that you have compensated the victim for any injuries or damages.Ê You may also have to show that your insurance company has been advised of the accident and has paid any claims of the victim.