St. Louis DWI / DUI Attorneys
Serving Clients In and Around St. Louis County, Missouri
If you or someone you know has been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated or impaired or driving under the influence in the greater St. Louis area, you will likely want to fight the charges in order to minimize the harsh consequences that result from a DWI or DUI conviction. Being charged with a DWI or DUI can be a scary and confusing experience, especially if you have never been arrested before. You may be wondering what will happen to you, whether you will go to jail, lose your license, and more. That is why you need an attorney who is familiar with the local court systems and experienced and skilled in handling DUI / DWI cases. Whether the charges result from a simple traffic violation or from a sobriety checkpoint or roadblock operation, we recommend that you consult with a St. Louis DWI / DUI attorney at our firm as soon as possible to get the legal guidance and expertise you need.
DWI / DUI in Missouri
While it is commonly referred to as "drunk driving," that phrase is inaccurate since a person can be charged with and convicted of driving while intoxicated even though they were not "drunk" at all. In Missouri, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration at or above .08. This limit is even lower for those with commercial driver licenses and drivers below the age of 21. Driving while intoxicated, known as DWI, is prosecuted when the State believes the driver was intoxicated with alcohol while operating a motor vehicle. However, in the State of Missouri the law also prohibits a person from driving under the influence of drugs, which is commonly referred to as a DUI. The drugs may be prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, illegal prescriptions, or illegal street drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and other controlled substances.
If you are convicted of "drunk driving" in Missouri on a first offense, you face potential penalties of jail time, court costs, fines, license suspension, license reinstatement fees, probation, SATOP, increased insurance costs, and a permanent mark on your criminal record. Those who are involved in traffic accidents causing property damage, bodily injury to others, or fatalities may be subject to harsher penalties. Those who are convicted of subsequent DWI / DUI within 5 years of a previous conviction will be subject to more severe consequences.
In the face of such serious penalties, it is important that you have skilled legal representation from a St. Louis DWI / DUI lawyer who is proficient in DWI / DUI defense. By contacting our criminal defense firm for a consultation, you will be taking a proactive step in your defense.
Contact a St. Louis DWI / DUI attorney at the firm today if you have been charged with drunk driving or drug-impaired driving.
What Sets Us Apart From The Rest?
Whiteley Law Firm is here to help you get the results you need with a team you can trust.
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Accessible Support
We make it easy for you to reach out and discuss your case, offering multiple avenues including phone, voicemail, online submission, and office visits for your convenience.
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Trusted AdvocacyWe understand the gravity of your situation and are committed to earning your trust through unwavering dedication to your defense.
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Thorough Defense StrategyOur approach involves a meticulous evaluation of your case, ensuring every possible defense avenue is explored to protect your rights.
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 888-910-8827 today!
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Can I represent myself?Yes. Although the right is not unlimited, in every criminal prosecution, the accused must be permitted to act as his or her own attorney. However, the better question is whether you should represent yourself. To that question, the answer is undeniably no. For more information on why a criminal defendant should hire an experienced criminal defense attorney, please read more here.
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What if I am guilty?
Although your thoughts on guilt or innocence of the charges against you are important, it is only one factor that should be considered in how to dispose of the criminal case.
The Whiteley Law Firm is committed to ensuring that those charged with criminal offenses receive a result that is in their best interest. In doing so, we always ensure that the conduct of the police has been proper and the prosecution can meet their burden of proof.
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Will my case be dismissed if the police did not read me my Miranda rights?
The continued popularity and proliferation of crime drama television shows perpetuates the idea that the police must advise the suspect of his or her Miranda rights immediately upon being arrested. This television show concept, however, is a myth. The police are under no obligation to inform someone of their constitutional rights once placed in custody.
The Miranda warnings – generally, the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney – take their name from the 1966 U.S. Supreme Court decision of the same name, Miranda v. Arizona. The landmark decision requires law enforcement officials to inform individuals in custody of their rights prior to any questioning. In other words, with some limited exceptions, Miranda warnings are only required when the police interrogate someone while they are in custody.
Given these two requirements, the question whether a case will be dismissed can become a complex question. Suffice it to say, while complete dismissal of the case is not impossible, the more likely result from a Miranda violation would be suppression of the illegally obtained evidence.
