Poplar Bluff DWI Lawyer
Under Missouri law, drunk driving is the crime of Driving While Intoxicated or DWI. Driving with excessive Blood Alcohol Content or BAC is also a crime in Missouri. Missouri's Implied Consent law states that anyone who is driving in Missouri is deemed to have given his or her consent to have his or her breath, blood, urine, or other bodily substances tested for alcohol and/or drugs.
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 should contact a Poplar Bluff DWI lawyer to help determine your course of action.
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.
If you have been arrested for DWI and received a notice that your driver license will be suspended or revoked, you need a Poplar Bluff DWI lawyer who fights DWI charges in Missouri and who will fight to protect your driving privileges. A drunk driving arrest is not a conviction.
Under Missouri law, if you were legally intoxicated (above .08% BAC) or refuse a breathalyzer test, your drivers license will be suspended or revoked if you don't take action within 15 days of your DWI arrest.
A first offense in Missouri is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or a six month jail sentence in the county jail. Your driving privileges will also be suspended for 30 days, followed by a 60 day restricted driving privilege. A second offense is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or a one year jail sentence in the county jail. A criminal conviction of a second time DWI within 5 years results in a five (5) year revocation of driving privileges. A hardship license may not be applied for until 2 of the 5 year revocation has been served.
If you need legal assistance, or for further information about a DWI, please contact us or call Kennedy, Robbins, Yarbro & Henson, LC, at (573) 686-2459. Our commitment is to earn your confidence by answering all questions and providing quality representation.