Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

DUI & DWI Attorney in Springfield MO

Our DWI attorneys offer the experience and compassion necessary to achieve the best possible outcome for clients facing drug and alcohol charges, specifically driving while intoxicated (DWI) and driving under the influence (DUI) charges. Missouri law is very specific and complex concerning DWI and DUI offenses. The outcomes of such court cases will affect the defendants for the rest of their lives, so it is crucial that they enter the courtroom with the best defense possible. Having a DWI attorney on your side that you can trust to aggressively defend your case should be your first priority upon being charged with a DWI offense. That’s where we come in.

Our Approach to DWI and DUI Defense

Although our criminal defense attorneys cannot change what has already happened, we will fight to ensure the best possible future for our clients, protecting their rights and negotiating a positive outcome that allows for a second chance. With years of experience taking DWI cases to the courtroom, our attorneys can offer you the straight advice that you need to make an informed decision regarding your case. We work closely with our clients, keeping them involved in the decision-making process and carefully assessing all possible options and scenarios in which our client’s case may play out.

Rest assured that when working with one of our experienced and capable criminal defense attorneys, you won’t have to sacrifice quality of service for affordability. We don’t believe in being paid for work we haven’t done, so if you choose to accept a plea bargain, you will be charged fairly and appropriately.

DWI and DUI Basics in Missouri

It is illegal to operate a motorized vehicle while intoxicated or drugged. What can be simplified down to “don’t drink and drive” is actually much more complicated in the courtroom. What exactly does it mean to be “operating” a vehicle? What is and is not considered a “motorized” vehicle? What does the court consider a “drugged state?” The punishments for a DWI/DUI conviction are contingent upon a host of variables, including prior criminal convictions, where you were arrested, and unfortunately, more often than not, how good your attorney is at protecting your rights.

DUI, DWI, and BAC in Missouri — What’s the Difference?

“Driving Under the Influence” (DUI) and “Driving While Impaired” (DWI) are two legal terms that are often used to refer to the act of drunk driving.  Although many people use these terms interchangeably, the two terms may technically may be different charges and have different definitions from state to state. 

In Missouri, the preferred term is DWI.  A motorist commits a DWI if they operate a motor vehicle in an intoxicated condition, including while being under the influence of alcohol, drug, a controlled substance, or any combination thereof.

The charge of BAC (referring to excessive “Blood Alcohol Content”) refers to a much more specific offense based on a motorist’s blood alcohol level.  A motorist is considered as having excessive blood alcohol content if they operate a motor vehicle with eight-hundredths of one percent (.08) or more by weight of alcohol in their bloodstream.  

Driving Under the Influence is Against the Law

Operating a vehicle while under the influence of either drugs or alcohol is against the law in Missouri,  While operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs may be less simple to define, all such impairment will be prosecuted under the Missouri DWI statutes, as there is no separate Missouri statute for prosecuting motorists for drug impairment while driving. 

Working with a skilled DWI attorney can help you build a solid defense and protect your rights, whether you have been accused of drunk driving, drugged driving, DWI, or BAC. 

First-Time DWI Offenders

When you face your first impaired drivingI offense, you will have a lot of questions, will want to understand what the charges mean, and will want to understand possible outcomes.. The potential repercussions can last long after your arrest, which is why working with a Missouri DWI attorney to fully understand your rights is so important. Your first DWI or BAC charge is a serious offense that can create a criminal record and could lead to jail time, fines, and points accumulation on your driving record. If your imparied driving causes additional problems, like causing a car accident or related injuries, the stakes will be higher (as may the fines), and you really should retain an experienced DWI attorney to answer your questions, guide your decisions, and limit the repercussions to your future..  

The first DWI offense for someone without a previous criminal record is a Class B Misdemeanor. An arrest also strikes 8 points against an individual’s driving record, resulting in a suspended driver’s license. A first-time offender can also incur a jail sentence ranging from 1 day to 6 months and up to a $500 fine.

The Breathalyzer Test

Refusing the breathalyzer test may result in immediate arrest and the revocation of the defendant’s driver’s license. If you know you are going to pass, it may be a better idea to just take the breathalyzer test. When your case comes to court, the officer will likely state that you refused the test, and the prosecution may assume that you refused to take it because you knew you wouldn’t pass. If you think you’ll pass, it would be theoretically best to blow and have the proof.