Find a DWI DUI Drunk Driving Lawyer in your state.

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Matthew Guifoil:

If You Don't Get The Right Lawyer Now, You'll Hate Yourself Later

Even though you've been arrested for DUI, you don't have to let it ruin your life. You may not realize it yet, but if you are thinking about simply going to court and pleading guilty to your DUI charge you may be cheating yourself.

You see, a qualified attorney can review the case for defects, suppress evidence, compel discovery of such things as calibration and maintenance records for the breath machine, have blood samples independently analyzed, obtain expert witnesses all of which may help you to win your case at trial.

To find out what you need to know about your DUI arrest I've developed a website to give you a wealth of useful information . . . information which will show you how you may be able to save your license and your freedom . . . and possibly avoid fines, fees, and sharply increased car insurance costs of as much as $6,800.

For the most part, my easy-to-navigate site has information on it which you can't get anywhere else unless you are willing to do a great deal of legal research.

When you're on my site, you'll also learn how you can get a free, no-obligation consultation where I'll review your case and show you how I may be able to save your license and your freedom.

Missouri DUI Drunk Driving Defense Information

Search for Missouri DUI Attorneys by county.

Attorney Offices by Municipality

  • Butler
    • Ronald Muller:
      (8) For the first conviction of driving while in an intoxicated condition or under the influence of controlled substances or drugs ..................................................... 8 points (9) For the second or subsequent conviction of any of the following offenses however combined: driving while in an intoxicated condition, driving under the influence of controlled substances or drugs or driving with a blood alcohol content of eight-hundredths of one percent or more by weight ................................................... 12 points (10) For the first conviction for driving with blood alcohol content eight-hundredths of one percent or more by weight In violation of state law ...................................... 8 points In violation of a county or municipal ordinance or federal law or regulation ............................................ 8 points
  • Chesterfield
  • Clayton
  • Columbia
    • Johnston, Kays & Smith: Driving While Intoxicated In general it is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle on a public road or way, while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, marijuana, narcotic drugs, depressants, or stimulant substances. The penalties for a violation of this law include probation or a jail sentence depending upon the number of times that a person has been convicted previously, and whether there was serious damage to persons or property. The courts and prosecutor will routinely require completion of an alcohol or substance abuse education program as part of any sentence.
    • Stan Clay: Choosing an attorney for your legal problem is a very important decision, because being involved in the legal system is usually a stressful, frustrating, and intimidating experience. Whether you win or lose depends not just upon the circumstances of your case but upon how well it is presented to a judge, a jury, and the other side's attorney. You need an experienced and skillful attorney to represent you throughout the entire legal process. And you should also have someone who can reduce your distress and put your mind at ease.
  • Crane
    • Wiley Law Office: There is no doubt that nothing is as scary as being charged with a criminal offense, be it misdemeanor or felony. Although friends and relatives mean well, they never know the feelings that you are dealing with in this situation. Your best bet is to quickly talk to an attorney, answer his or her questions truthfully, and together chart a course toward a resolution of the case.
  • Joplin
    • Cobb Young: DUI: More Serious than Most People Realize Over the past few decades, the countrys attitude toward drunk driving has changed. The serious injuries and deaths caused by drunk driving have led to greater vigilance and zero-tolerance. The attitudes of prosecutors and judges have also changed. There is less patience and understanding for occasional drinking and driving "slip ups". IF YOU ARE CHARGED WITH DUI, YOU HAVE ONLY A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME TO ENTER YOUR DEFENSE BEFORE YOUR LICENSE IS SUSPENDED OR AUTOMATICALLY REVOKED.
  • Kansas City
  • Lee's Summit
    • Earnshaw-Hobbs Law Office: You may be fined up to $500.00 if you received your ticket from a city court or up to $1,000 if you received a State ticket (in addition to any jail time the court may impose). You will also be required to attend the SATOP screening and one of the alcohol schools and the Victim Impact Panel (or VIP) program. AND you may be required to be on supervised probation (to keep out of the jail time that may be imposed) at a cost of anywhere from $12.00 to $20.00 per month for up to 24 months.
  • Lexington
    • Aull, Sherman, Worthington, Gioza & Hamilton: Drunk Driving Defense - the "right to drive" is a privilege which is governed by the individual states. Traffic violations are a mix of regulatory and penal (criminal) offenses based on violations of state statutes and city ordinances relating to the operation of vehicles, specifically driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances which impair the ability to drive.
  • Manchester
    • Lee Patton: The criminal justice process is the process by which crimes are investigated, charged, tried, and punished. Because the criminal justice system involves actions by the government against its citizens, the criminal justice process has been the subject of constitutional protections dating back, in the English common law system, to the Magna Carta. The constitutional protections afforded to citizens under modern law derive from both federal and state constitutions. The U.S. Constitution sets forth numerous principles governing both federal and state criminal proceedings. n state proceedings, federal constitutional principles set a baseline standard of protection of the rights of persons accused of crime.
  • Moberly
    • Stephanie Luntsford: Almost all states increase a charge for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) from a misdemeanor to a felony when a driver has had a certain number of prior DUI convictions. Accordingly, prosecutors in DUI cases will often search for prior DUI convictions to enhance a new charge. However, the admissibility of a prior conviction in court can depend on when and where the prior conviction occurred. Determining That a Prior Conviction Exists Prior convictions for DUI can be obtained from a variety of sources. Agencies that may have information on an individual's prior charges and convictions include: Prosecutors' Offices Law Enforcement Agencies Departments of Motor Vehicles County and Municipal Courts Probation and Corrections Offices Newspaper Archives
  • North Kansas City
    • David Wells: The system of "bail" refers to the release of a prisoner after their arrest but prior to their trial. Bail must be backed by a form of security, usually cash or a bail bond (a premium percentage of the bail paid to a bond seller), which is forfeited if the defendant fails to appear at trial. In other words, the individual posting bail or a bail bond, (typically the defendant, family member or a close friend), essentially guarantees to pay the full bail amount in the event that the defendant "jumps bail," or fails to appear at trial. This bail process is subject to some constitutional limitations.
  • O'Fallon
    • Adams Law Office: If you have been charged with any type of driving violation-from the least serious to the most serious-you need expert representation.
  • Ozark
    • Souder Tate:

       BE POLITE to the police officer and state that on your Attorney's advice, you are doing the following things:

      1. DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS BEYOND YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.

      • Assert your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Any Answer, no matter how unimportant it may seem, can hurt you later in court. Do not fill out any forms.

      2. DO TAKE THE PRELIMINARY BREATH TEST (P.B.T.)

      • This test typically is given in the police car, and the test results are not normally used in court. 

      3. DO NOT PERFORM THE FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS

      • You have a right to refuse to follow  a pen or finger with your eyes, place finger to nose, walk a straight line, etc. These tests only incriminate you no matter how well you do.

      4. DO TAKE THE OFFICIAL BREATH TEST

      • This test is usually given at the police station. However, in the case of road blocks, they may be given in a van. Prior to testing, the officer reads you the Implied Consent Law. This means that if you refuse this test, you will lose your driver's license for one year. Missouri state law allows an officer to request up to two tests. Some extreme facts may make it advantageous to refuse the breath test, such as a death in an accident, severe personal injury, prior DWIs or severe intoxication. 

      5. DO CONTACT A LAWYER

      • In Missouri, you have twenty minutes to telephone an attorney prior to testing. Your rights are on the line -- jail, fines, insurance costs, and expensive treatment now confront you.

      YOU NEED A STRONG DEFENSE. 

  • Park Hills
    • Maynard & Joyce: Traffic violations can have serious criminal consequences, particularly when a driver is accused of driving while intoxicated. A conviction on DWI charges may result in fines, loss or suspension of driver's license, and possible jail time. Automobile insurance rates may be increased.
  • Poplar Bluff
    • Moore Walsh and Albright: A criminal conviction can change the rest of your life. Representation by an experienced criminal defense lawyer is critical in the initial stages of a criminal prosecution. Statements made in the early stages of a criminal investigation can be crucial to the defense of your case.
  • Raytown
    • Rocky Cannon: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs causes numerous accidents every year. Although DUI accidents are preventable, people continue to drink and drive. Here are a few of the disturbing statistics: * In 2001, over 40% of fatal automobile accidents were alcohol-related. * Approximately 30% of Americans will be in an accident involving alcohol. * According to estimates, someone is injured in an alcohol-related accident every two minutes. * Accidents involving alcohol are more likely to occur at night-about five times more likely. * About two-thirds of DUI convictions are for first time offenders, meaning that more people continue to drive under the influence even after seeing punishments meted out to others. * More than one-third of all fatal traffic accidents in 2001 involved at least one person with a BAC over 0.08. * According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, all but 3% of Americans cite drunk drivers as a serious hazard to their lives and families.
  • Rolla
    • Thomas, Birdsong & Mills: Missouri DWI laws allow for driver's license suspensions of 30 days on a first offense, before you have appeared in court, and you must request an administrative hearing within 15 days of the arrest to get your license back. Conviction for drunk driving, even a first offense, can have serious and long-term consequences, affecting your insurance premiums and possibly your right to drive and your ability to earn a living.
    • Daniels Law Firm: Traffic violations can have serious criminal consequences, particularly when a driver is accused of driving under the influence. A conviction on DUI/DWI charges may result in fines, the revocation or suspension of your driver's license, and possible jail time. In addition, your insurance company may increase your rates to an unmanageable level. In defending against an impaired driving charge, you have many rights as a criminal defendant, including the right to cross-examine the witnesses against you, even if they are police officers. An experienced criminal defense attorney can make all the difference in such a difficult case.
  • Salem
  • St. Ann's
    • Charles Huber: Alcohol offenses, Driving while Suspended or Revoked, Leaving the Scene of an Accident; these are more serious offenses. These tickets do not get amended. We need to fix the problem, if possible. For driving while suspended ore revoked, I will see if you are eligible for reinstatement. If I can get you reinstated, or get a hardship driving privilege; a good result will usually follow. Alcohol Offenses (DWI, DUI, and BAC) are even more complex. There will usually be two separate actions against you. There is the actual ticket in the Court, and there is a separate suspension or revocation action from Jefferson City, because of what you blew on the breath test, or because of your refusal to take the breath test.
  • St. Charles
    • Leland Smith: Being charged with a felony or a misdemeanor is a serious matter. The effect of a conviction can have a devastating impact on your life and your personal freedom.
    • Kasper Law Firm: You can have your license suspended for accumulating 8 points on your license in 18 months. You can get three points for a speeding ticket, and some driving related offenses will get you twelve points!
    • Blood & Kaiser: Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offense.
    • Daniel Nack: The crime of drunk driving is generally defined in two ways: (1) having a blood alcohol content above the limit set by law, or (2) driving under the influence of alcohol. To find a person guilty under the first definition, a jury (or judge) must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the person's blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeded a certain amount.
  • St. Louis
  • St. Peters
    • Wines Law Office: In Missouri there is what is called an "Implied Consent" law. Currently, everyone who operates a motor vehicle within the state impliedly consents to giving a blood, breath, saliva or urine sample to determine the alcohol content of their blood if arrested upon reasonable grounds to believe they were driving a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated or drugged condition. Under the law, the police may require you to take two tests these can be the same type of test, example two breath tests, or two different tests one breath and one blood. If you refuse either, there are ramifications.
    • James & Dreyer: Facing a drunk driving charge can be a disturbing experience. The prospect of jail or the loss of a driver's license can be quite upsetting. Your freedom and ability to make a living may be at stake. That is why it is important to get an experienced defense lawyer who is knowledgeable and experienced in providing DWI and DUI representation.
  • Springfield
  • Thayer
    • Perkins Law Office: If you or someone in your family has been accused of a crime, don't delay. Hire an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. A good criminal defense lawyer can spend time and money investigating the case and creating a solid defense strategy, while a typical public defender, due to a high case load, can just plead guilty and hope for the best. An experienced defense attorney can minimize fines, avoid jail sentences, or even getting the case thrown out of court.
  • Warrensburg
    • Lloyd Law Office: One of the most frequent questions we hear is, "What are the benefits of hiring an attorney for a traffic ticket?" One of the benefits is that by doing so often no points will be assigned to your license. This can save you thousands of dollars on increased insurance rates. Another benefit of having no points on your license is eliminating your chances of having your license suspended. A suspended license can prevent you from doing many things in life, such as working, going to school or simply having fun.
  • West Plains
    • Melissa Stewart: In a landmark 1969 U.S. Supreme Court case, Chimel v. California, the Court held that law enforcement officers may conduct warrantless searches of arrested individuals and their immediate surrounding areas. This rule is known as the "search incident to an arrest" exception to the Fourth Amendment's prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures. The rationale behind this decision is that officers should be protected from the danger that an individual could reach for a concealed weapon. The rule also serves to prevent the destruction of evidence. Such searches are not only considered to be an exception to the Fourth Amendment's general requirement that officers have warrants prior to conducting searches, such searches are also presumed to be "reasonable" as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Robinson (1973).
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