DWI lawyer St Charles, MO

When you are facing charges, or have been charged, with driving under the influence, asking a DWI Lawyer in St. Charles, Missouri for legal advice and representation may be a very good idea. For an immediate consultation with a DWI Lawyer St. Charles, MO trusts please call Charles J. Moore of Legacy Law Center

Charles J. Moore of Legacy Law Center is a DWI lawyer in St Charles, MO who has helped many drivers after they were charged with a DWI. They were initially concerned about how a conviction might affect them, and rightfully so. Many people need to commute to work by car, drive to the supermarket, and have a car to visit their friends and family. A DWI conviction can result in losing one’s driving privileges in addition to fines and jail time. However, an experienced DWI lawyer in St Charles, MO such as Charles J. Moore at Legacy Law Center may be able to get your charge reduced or dismissed

If you were charged with a DWI, it’s very important that you contact a DWI lawyer in St Charles, MO. In order to retain your driving privileges while you await your court date, there are certain steps you must follow. Charles J. Moore of Legacy Law Center can assist you with this, and provide representation to protect your rights throughout the legal process. Learn about DWI and hit and run.

Our firm has represented thousands of clients who were facing a broad range of penalties after being caught driving under the influence. Not only have we helped clients to get their charges reduced or dropped, but we have also prevented a suspension of a driver’s license and a permanent criminal record.

Law enforcement may be treating you like you are guilty until proven innocent, but what you should understand right now is that no matter what they may be telling you, you are actually innocent until proven guilty. Furthermore, you:

• Have the right to remain silent;
• Have the right to hire a St. Charles, MO DWI Lawyer and,
• Have the right to fight your charges.

If you are ready to learn more right now, please call Charles J. Moore of Legacy Law Center.

Driving Under the Influence

The legal drinking age in all states is 21, but other legislation relevant to intoxication and driving varys slightly by state. If you are under 21, any amount of alcohol found in your breath, blood, or urine is illegal. If you’re of the legal age and you have anything more than a .08% blood alcohol content, you can be charged with a crime.

Once you have been pulled over by law enforcement, you may be accused of driving under the influence. At that time they may ask you to submit a field sobriety test. You may also be arrested, taken the the police station, detained, and charged. As soon as you are read your Miranda Rights, it may be a good idea to invoke them and call a DWI Lawyer St. Charles, MO as soon as possible.

If You Have Been Previously Convicted of a DWI

First time offenders will receive a harsh punishment for a DWI conviction, but if you have been convicted of the same crime in the past, your punishment will be far more severe. You need legal representation by an experienced DWI lawyer in St Charles, MO such as Charles J. Moore. He understands the particular challenges that you are facing and can provide you with the strong advocacy that you need. Special considerations for defendants who are facing DWI charges for the second or additional times include:

• Increased or mandatory minimum fines
• Increased or mandatory minimum jail time
• Driver’s license suspension
• Installation and required use of an interlock ignition device

Whether these increased penalties will apply to you or not depends on several potentially mitigating circumstances. Your DWI lawyer in St Charles, MO from Legacy Law Center can determine if any of the following criteria may apply in your case:

1. It will depend partially on the amount of time that has passed since your most recent DWI conviction. For example, if you have a DWI charge that is very old, it may not count against you for the purposes of sentencing.
2. It may matter what your blood alcohol concentration was at the time of your offenses. In some circumstances, if your blood alcohol concentration at the time of the incident is relatively low on the drunk driving spectrum, you may receive a lower sentence.
3. Whether or not you show remorse for your actions and a willingness to seek help to avoid making the same mistake may be an important factor in your sentencing.

What is an Aggravated DWI?

Aggravating factors of a DWI may be considered any factor that “aggravates” the charge and it’s punishments. If your DWI offense includes aggravating factors, you may face much greater penalties.

There are many types of aggravating factors and may include, but is not limited to:

• Having a minor passenger in the car while you are driving intoxicated
• Driving above a certain speed
• Driving with a very high blood alcohol content
• Trying to evade police
• Causing an accident that results in injury or death

If you are convicted of a DWI the penalties and sentencing you are given by a judge will likely be more than those of a standard DWI offense. Some penalties for an aggravated DWI offense are:

• A criminal conviction of a Class A misdemeanor or felony
• Large fines
• Mandatory jail or prison time
• Referral to a mandatory substance abuse disorder program
• Frequent evaluations a for substance abuse disorder
• License suspension
• An ignition interlock device
• A permanent criminal record
• Probation
• Community service

If a minor was in the car, the penalties are often heightened. It is also possible for Child Protective Services to open an investigation on the case. Due to the severity of aggravated DWI offenses and the repercussions that could ensue. For this reason, it is important to defend the DWI charge and any aggravated factors to keep the penalties at a minimum. A good DWI lawyer may be invaluable.

Miscellaneous Consequences of a DWI

No two DWI cases are exactly the same, but one thing that is true is that a guilty charge will result in consequences. These consequences will largely depend on whether this is your first offense, your cooperation with law enforcement, and any aggravating factors (i.e. you were involved in an accident). In addition to normal penalties such as license revocation, fines, probation, community service, and jail time, there are miscellaneous consequences that may not be thought about, but are also common in the event of a DWI guilty charge.

Rise in Insurance Rates

A DWI charge can remain on your driving record for several years. If your insurance company finds this charge, and they likely will, your insurance rate may increase. If you lose your license, you might also be denied insurance coverage. The average 5 year cost of an insurance increase because of a DWI is $5,000. A DWI Lawyer in St. Charles, MO may be able to help prevent this.

Suspension/ Revocation of Commercial and Professional Licenses

If you hold an air pilot’s license, you must report the DWI charge to the FAA. Once you do, your pilot’s license may be suspended for a period of time. Likewise, if you hold a CDL or other professional license, you may have to report the charge. If you are concerned about losing a professional license, you should consult a St. Charles, MO DWI lawyer .

Difficulting Entering Other Countries

Under Canadian law, as well as other countries, a convicted DWI charge is an admissible criminal offense. Although rare, if you have a DWI you could be denied entry into Canada or other countries; especially if you are driving.

It is possible for people who have multiple, or subsequent, criminal convictions to be required to get authorized written permission by the probation department before moving to a new state.

Do Not Delay In Getting Legal Help

From the moment you are charged to your arraignment, you will not have much time. It is advisable to talk with a DWI Lawyer in St. Charles, MO  sooner rather than later, especially if you are concerned about losing a license or other serious penalties. Call the DWI lawyer St. Charles, MO relies on, Charles J. Moore of Legacy Law Center now.

Defenses a DWI Lawyer Might Use

In general one of the most effective ways to defend against aggravating charges of a DWI is to defend the DWI charge itself. If a DWI lawyer can prove you are not guilty, the aggravating factors will not hold up in court. That being said, proving you are not guilty of the DWI may not be possible, and so a lawyer will likely need to identify defenses for the aggravating factors. Examples include:

Disputing the Results of Any BAC Tests – If a breath testing apparatus was solely responsible for providing the results of your blood alcohol content, a lawyer might try argue that the machine was not properly calibrated.

Disputing the Speed – Radar guns have been known to malfunction, be outdated, or poorly maintained which could lead to inaccurate readings.

Suppressing Any Evidence – Depending on the circumstances, there could be evidence that was obtained improperly. However, some prosecutors will not try to remove improperly obtained evidence from the record. A lawyer can review all evidence to ensure it is within the legal guidelines and does not infringe on your rights.

Charles J. Moore: a Respected DWI lawyer in St Charles, MO

Representing yourself in a criminal case is rarely a good idea. Even skilled attorneys do not represent themselves in court. If you’re facing a DWI conviction, even if it will be your first one, do not take the chance of suffering long-term repercussions.

Call us to schedule a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case. As an experienced DWI lawyer St Charles, MO motorists turn to for help, Charles J. Moore of Traffic Ticket Center can protect your right.