Driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges are severe and can ruin your reputation, cause you to lose your independence and, in the worst-case scenario, lead to jail time. Driving sober is always the best practice. Even if you have only had a few drinks and think you are fine to drive, it is vital to be on the side of caution.
However, if an officer charges you with a DWI that you believe is unfair, it is crucial to know what to do to protect yourself. You need to act fast because a criminal record, fines, suspension of your license and jail time are on the line. Remember, your defense doesn’t start in the courtroom; it starts from the moment you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer.
Whenever a law enforcement officer pulls you over, it is because he or she observed signs of impairment or a traffic violation. It is essential to remember that the officers are doing their job whenever they stop you. Be polite in your interaction. Being rude is a quick way to set yourself up for failure. The officer will begin to observe and take note of your behavior to look for signs of drinking and driving or illicit drug use.
The officer may ask you questions about what you have been doing throughout the evening. You won’t receive your Miranda Rights because you aren’t in police custody. As the officer asks you questions that could be incriminating, be respectful and polite, but be careful how you answer. Some officers may use silence as an admission of guilt, but it is best to speak with an experienced attorney who can give you sound legal advice on what you should and shouldn’t say.
The officer may ask to search your vehicle during the roadside stop. A search can happen without a warrant if there is probable cause of incriminating evidence inside your car.
In the state of Missouri, there is implied consent for you to submit an alcohol or drug test when requested by a law enforcement officer. If you refuse to provide a sample, the state of Missouri can suspend your license for a year.
When someone is charged with a DWI, there are two aspects to the charge: criminal and civil. The criminal element of the case is the actual charge of driving while intoxicated. The civil or administrative aspect of the case involves the State of Missouri Department of Revenue suspending your driver’s license. Your arresting officer will give you a paper permit to use between your arrest and your hearing.
If you are charged with a DWI, you should contact a DWI attorney immediately. You only have 15 days to request an administrative hearing. An experienced lawyer will help you through the process of submitting your request.
Before your hearing, an experienced attorney will prepare through extensive investigation, interviewing, witness preparation, discovery requests and pretrial motions, such as the motions to suppress evidence. They should be able to take a look at all of the facts from the case and decide if there is a challenge to be made on a strong base of evidence.
After your lawyer has done thorough research on the case, they will give you their advice, but allow you to make your decision about whether to plead guilty or not.
If you are facing a Missouri DWI charge, contact an experienced lawyer at Eng and Woods Attorneys at Law today. We will give you superior legal advice and help you through this trying process.
Max Jones
Thanks for the info about DWI law. My brother is looking to meet with a DWI lawyer. I’ll share this info with him as he looks for a lawyer.
Mia Evans
Thanks for pointing out that a lawyer will be able to help throughout the process of the case. I will share this tip with a friend of mine since he has been charged with his driving. It would help him get a lesser fine since he is on a very limited budget from what I know.
John Carston
It’s great that you elaborated on the importance of being aware that driving under the influence is a serious offense. My cousin mentioned to me last night that his friend is facing DUI charges and asked if I have any idea what is the best option to do to help him get a quicker way to get out of jail. Thanks to this informative article and I’ll be sure to tell him that it will be much better if they consult a trusted DUI lawyer as they can help them with all their concerns.
John Carston
I like the tip that you gave that civil and criminal are the two aspects of charging in your case. A friend mentioned the other day that his cousin was facing DUI charges because of drunk driving. He asked if I had any idea what would be the best choice to help him get a quicker way to get out of jail. I love this enlightening article. I’ll tell him that it will be much better if they consult a trusted criminal attorney as they can help them with proper legal processes.
Eli Richardson
It really helped when you mentioned the importance of hiring a lawyer after getting a DWI to help submit your hearing request. I have an uncle who got charged with a DWI last night, but I think he hasn’t done anything about it yet, so I’ll share your article with him before it’s too late. Thank you for the advice on DWI hearings and why we need an experienced lawyer by our side.
Olivia Smart
Thank you for explaining about the hearing process. My son and I are a little confused about what to expect moving forward. I’ll be sure to share this with him so we’re both a little more prepared.
Braden Bills
I was charged with a DWI, and I’m not sure what to do about it. It makes sense that working with a lawyer to help me out with this would be a good idea. They would be able to ensure that I get the best representation.