If you've been arrested for DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol), you need a lawyer now.
Your driver’s license could be suspended or revoked if you don't take action within 15 days of your arrest. You are at risk of suspension if the results of your test were above the Missouri's prohibited level (.08% for age 21 or over and .02%, under age 21) or if you refused to take a breath, blood, or urine test.
Conviction of a first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor, and the penalties can include:
Conviction of a second DWI within a five year period is a Class A misdemeanor, and the penalties can include:
Conviction of three or more DWIs within 10 years may mean that the driver is deemed to be a "persistent offender" and guilty of a Class D Felony. There will also be a 10-year denial of driving privileges. Penalties can include:
Everyone who operates a motor vehicle in the state of Missouri gives his or her consent to have their breath, blood, urine, or other bodily substances tested for alcohol and/or drugs. This is known as Missouri's implied consent law. You are presumed to know and understand your rights and responsibilities concerning the testing of your breath or bodily fluids in relation to a DWI arrest.
The arresting officer will choose what type of test to administer. Under Missouri law, however, you are allowed 20 minutes to contact an attorney about whether you should submit to a test.
You also have the right to obtain your own test of your body fluids by a physician, qualified technician, chemist, registered nurse, or other qualified person after you have submitted to the officer's requested test.
In a Missouri DWI arrest, there are two separate cases: the court case and the driver's license case, which is filed by the Department of Revenue against the driver's license. If you are arrested for DWI, you have only 15 days from the date of arrest to have a hearing.
If you have been charged with a Missouri DWI in the Kansas City metro area, you need qualified and experienced legal counsel on your side. Remember that time limitations apply. Don’t let the 15-day window from the time of your arrest slip by. Contact the KC Traffic Lawyer, who can give you a solid chance of avoiding a DWI conviction.
Attorney Timothy R. Tompkins is a native of the Kansas City area. He treats every client with the personal attention their situation demands and deserves. He is committed to effectively representing clients through each stage of the case, from requesting initial police reports to negotiating plea agreements to going to trial when necessary. If you’ve received a traffic violation or have committed a misdemeanor in the KC metro, you deserve quality legal representation. Contact the KC Traffic Lawyer for a case consultation today.