If arrested for Driving While Intoxicated in the state of Missouri, the first thing to do is to contact a local DWI Attorney in Jefferson County MO. Even the very first offense is quite serious under Missouri law, thanks to the increasingly tough penalties the legislators of the state have approved. Without a lawyer, a person who is convicted of Driving While Intoxicated for the first time can suffer jail time, stiff financial costs and more.
A driver’s license suspension of at least 30-days is the first penalty that is usually assessed when a person is convicted of their first DWI. In addition to the 30 day suspension, the driver will be restricted for an extra 60 days. This restriction means that the driver has to essentially maintain a good driving record for the entire 60 days, and that the driver can’t refuse to submit to an alcohol or drug test. If a driver with a restricted license refuses to submit to an alcohol or drug test, they will automatically get a one-year driver’s license revocation.
After a first DWI offense that involved a license revocation, the driver does not automatically get their license back. They have to obtain a special type of insurance called SR-22. This kind of coverage is much more expensive than ordinary insurance coverage because it is designed exclusively for high- risk individuals. In some cases, the judge orders an Ignition Interlock Device. This kind of device must be installed on a vehicle that a person with a DWI conviction will be driving. The device will test the amount of alcohol in the driver’s blood before the car can be started.
The fines for DWI conviction in Missouri are expensive, and they grow even more costly with multiple DWIs. A first DWI carries a fine of up to $500. In addition to that fine, the convicted individual will have to pay for the cost of reinstating their driver’s license. There may also be additional court fees. The only way to avoid all of these penalties and fines is to work with a good lawyer. If you want to speak with a DWI Attorney in Jefferson County MO about a DWI case, click here to see the website of a local lawyer who can help.
