What To Expect From A DWI Arrest In The State Of Missouri
Posted on January 3rd, 2010
MADD, or Mothers Against Drunk Driving, have made quite the stance against the act of driving while intoxicated. They have influenced legislatures around the nation, and Missouri is one of them that has started to issue strict penalties for using a vehicle under the influence.
If your arrest was the first, you will be able to plead your case and hopefully avoid jail time. You will for sure lose your driving license for thirty days while you undergo a suspension process. You may only get reinstated after ninety days, but you will be eligible for a restricted driver’s permit after thirty days. The restricted license allows you to go to work and school as needed, but nowhere else.
If you make the poor choice to obtain another DUI, you will be known as a prior offender. You will find it much harder to plead ignorance, as the minimum sentence is a five day stay at the local jail. Thirty days of community service can sometimes substitute the jail sentence, although you will have to have a lawyer argue your case.
A persistent offender is one that has racked up three or more DWI arrests. The minimum sentence is 10 days in jail, with the option to do 60 days of community service to instead be put on probation. You will also have to retake the written and physical driving test in order to get your license back due to losing your license for an extended period of time.
All DWI offenders go through a program named the Substance Abuse Traffic Offender program. This program is referred to as SATOP, and is required by the courts for all DWI offenders to take before getting a license back. The DWI class will teach students the effects of alcohol, what’s considered safe, driving regulations, and try to convey how wrong it is to even risk the lives of others while on the open road and intoxicated.
You can easily lose your auto insurance if your company finds out about a DUI. You will also have to file for SR-22 insurance, given that they decide to keep you on the plan. SR-22 insurance basically states that you are a high-risk driver, and that you will pay more for two years as a result of poor choices. It’s not glorious by any means- you are essentially paying hundreds or thousands extra over the next two years.
Final Thoughts
Most offenders are young and will soon find that a DUI will severely impact job opportunities and one’s reputation among the community. Not all is lost; you may still redeem yourself by becoming a supporter of stopping drunk drivers and turning a new leaf.
Learn more about St. Louis Legal Settlements and Vehicle Accident Lawyers.
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