Introduction to Missouri DWI Law

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Missouri means operating a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated or drugged condition. Years ago, a "drunk driving" charge meant that someone was "drunk" in the way all of us commonly understand the word: intoxicated. In the mid-1980's, legislatures all over the United States began to toughen their DWI laws in response to public outcry. Today it is not necessary that a person be drunk to receive a DWI ticket. In fact, and this book will discuss this in more detail later, if your breath or blood shows an alcohol concentration of .08 you are presumed too intoxicated to safely drive in the state of Missouri. You may not think you are intoxicated. Those around you may not think you are intoxicated. Indeed, you may not be considered intoxicated for any other purpose in the world other than driving. But you may have enough alcohol or drugs in your system to be considered too intoxicated to drive. And if you are convicted you will suffer some harsh penalties.

When a person is cited for a DWI there are essentially two lawsuits initiated: one is a criminal charge brought by the city or state in which you are stopped; the other is a civil lawsuit brought against your driver's license by the Director of the Missouri Department of Revenue. These proceedings occur simultaneously and both have a severe impact on your driving record and quality of life. Both will be discussed at length in the following pages.

Keep in mind that every case is different and involves different issues. Some of the issues presented in this book will not be applicable to your case. DWI cases rise or fall on the facts of each case. The quality of your defense in a DWI case depends on the details and facts available for your attorney to work with. There are two primary sources of this information: You and the arresting officer's police reports. Thus, it is very important that you share with your attorney ALL of the details and facts about your case, and that you tell him or her the truth.

The goal of our law firm in representing a DWI client is to get a dismissal of the charges, an acquittal at trial, or a non-DWI disposition . While this is not always possible, we don't stop fighting until our clients tell us to. If you hire our firm, it is very important that you familiarize yourself with the information on this site so that you may aid and participate in your defense and make informed choices regarding your case.

Finally, most of this information pertains to Boating While Under the Influence as well as driving. However, the legal limit for operating a boat is .10. Please contact one of our Missouri attorneys for information about any differences between boating and driving a car under the influence.

Free Evaluation Concerning Your Kansas DUI or Missouri DWI Defense

NOTICE: This web site is for informational purposes only. The law firm of Erker, Norton, Hare & Angles, L.L.C., has offices located in Kansas and Missouri. None of the information contained in the Erker, Norton, Hare & Angles, L.L.C. website should be construed as legal advice and it does not create an attorney-client relationship between the viewer and Erker, Norton, Hare & Angles, L.L.C. absent an express agreement between the law firm and the viewer.The members of our firm have extensive experience as Kansas DUI lawyers and Missouri DWI lawyers. The members of the firm are also well known in the community as Kansas criminal defense attorneys, Missouri criminal defense attorneys and federal criminal defense attorneys. The Guide to Kansas DUI Law and Guide to Missouri DWI Law do not constitute legal advice and may or may not accurately represent the current state of the law on those subjects as laws change frequently. Every legal matter is different and the information in these pages may not be applicable to any one specific case. The viewer should neither take nor refrain from taking any action on the basis of any information on this Web site without first seeking appropriate legal or other professional advice. The receipt of an email from our law firm, even in a response to a specific question, does not create an attorney-client relationship and no email exchange should be considered confidential. All attorneys at Erker, Norton, Hare & Angles, L.L.C. are licensed in the state of Kansas. Attorneys J. Ryan Hare and Christopher J. Angles are licensed in Missouri as well. None of the information in this Web site pertains to any states other than Kansas and Missouri and should not be construed as solicitation of business in those or any other states. Erker, Norton, Hare & Angles, L.L.C. specifically disclaims any warranties of services this Web site may seem to offer. If you are unclear about the terms of this disclaimer, the accuracy of any information on the website, or if you have a Kansas DUI, Missouri DUI, federal, state or municipal criminal charge in Kansas or Missouri, a personal injury case in Kansas or Missouri, or a domestic relations case in Kansas, please feel free to contact our law form for further information.