Getting charged with a DUI in Lake of the Ozarks can seriously impact your life. This may be so, even if ultimately you are not convicted. If this has happened to you, it is crucial to contact a DWI attorney from Kirsch & Kirsch, LLC, right away.
We are ready to help you through this process and have an extensive history of success representing clients who have faced DUI and DWI charges.
Call Our DWI Attorney Today
A Kirsch & Kirsch DWI attorney is prepared to work closely with you to develop the best strategy for your defense. There is no time to waste; schedule an initial consultation today.
Criminal Law & Tickets
If you feel frustrated when you get pulled over by the police, you are not alone. Besides feeling as though you are in the middle of an embarrassing situation, you are probably also considering the consequences that this traffic ticket may have.
Whether the ticket you receive is criminal or civil, it will make a significant difference in the consequences you may face, and the criminal defense lawyers at Kirsch & Kirsch, LLC are here to help.
Impact of a Civil Traffic Ticket
A civil traffic ticket means you have been accused of committing a traffic violation. Although your offense can be a failure to stop at a traffic light or having performed an illegal U-turn, you may still face severe consequences.
Besides paying the fine, your insurance premiums will highly likely increase. In some cases, coverage may be lost, and you may also end up losing your driver’s license.
When points are added to your license, you may have your license suspended.
Impact of a Criminal Traffic Violation
Criminal traffic violations are associated with harsher penalties. There may be jail time and other repercussions. A criminal ticket is issued when the police believe you have committed a crime. If so, you may be arrested and taken to jail.
Receiving a criminal ticket means it will leave you with a criminal record that can haunt you for many years to come. This could affect the possibility of you finding or keeping a job, obtaining housing, and missing out on many other opportunities. You may also end up losing your license.
First DWI Cases
If you feel like it is the end of the world because you have been charged with a DWI, you may be unsure as to what your next move should be.
You might have been arrested if charged with a DWI because the total blood alcohol concentration test was 0.08 or higher at the time of your arrest. The officer in charge may have noticed that you were not in normal use of your mental or physical faculties.
This may be either because of a suspicion of alcohol, drug, or other substance abuse or a combination thereof.
Penalties in Missouri
The first DWI is usually considered a misdemeanor. It is associated with a fine of $2,000 and a jail sentence of up to 180 days, and if your BAC is higher than 0.15, the fine will double, and the jail sentence may increase to no more than one year.
In general, DWI penalties in Missouri may include:
- If this is your first offense, you may have up to a year in jail. Further offenses carry a two-year sentence for the second offense; and four years for the third one.
- Depending on the charges you are facing, you may face a mandatory jail sentence.
- Fines can range from $1,000 to $10,000 depending on whether this is your first conviction or you have had others.
- Suspension of your driver’s license.
- Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, depending on the case.
- Suspension of professional licenses such as medical or legal.
- Carrying a minor in the vehicle when charged is considered to be an aggravating factor leading to even more severe consequences.
- Repeat DWI may include felony charges.
- Other consequences may be community service and higher insurance premiums.
How can our DWI defense lawyers help you?
Working with the team of DWI defense lawyers from Kirsch & Kirsch, LLC means you have the legal help you need at a time when you may be facing dire consequences.
Our DWI attorney knows what juries expect, what they want, and what they do not want. We have the expertise and legal knowledge to beat your DUI or DWI.
Schedule a consultation today with our DWI attorney, and let us get started on your defense.