Brought to you by Colorado DUI Drunk Driving Defense

Attorney Offices by Municipality

• Blue Springs
  • Thomson & Gibson: Most people are far more likely to be charged with drunk driving, or driving under the influence, than with committing other acts more commonly associated with criminal prosecution. But DUI is a crime and a conviction that can have just as serious an impact on your future as an assault charge. Court costs, fines, attorneys fees, sky-high insurance rates, even lost job opportunitiesthe penalties upon DUI conviction are severe.
• Bonnie Terre
  • Tyler Law Office: If you are facing drunk-driving charges in Missouri, you could lose your commercial driverÕs license (CDL) before you ever get to court. Even a speeding ticket could damage your driving record. Protect your commercial driver's license and your livelihood by getting immediate legal help to fight a DWI charge or traffic ticket.
• Brandon
  • Kelly Law Office: The quality, experience, and approach of that attorney is crucial in the accused's walk along the tightrope of the criminal justice system.
• Butler
  • Ronald Muller:
    (8) For the first conviction of driving while in an intoxicated condition or under the influence of controlled substances or drugs ..................................................... 8 points (9) For the second or subsequent conviction of any of the following offenses however combined: driving while in an intoxicated condition, driving under the influence of controlled substances or drugs or driving with a blood alcohol content of eight-hundredths of one percent or more by weight ................................................... 12 points (10) For the first conviction for driving with blood alcohol content eight-hundredths of one percent or more by weight In violation of state law ...................................... 8 points In violation of a county or municipal ordinance or federal law or regulation ............................................ 8 points
• Cameron
  • Fink, Christopher: It's never a good idea to drink and drive as the consequences for drunk driving could be far worse than just a criminal charge or the suspension of your license. However, if you are stopped and charged with a drunk driving offense or driving under the influence of drugs, then you need to know your rights. Not only are you facing potential jail time, but the suspension of your license could jeapordize your job, family or school. Contact me for a free consultation concerning your rights. And remember that the burden of proof is on the State to prove that you were in fact over the legal limit before you are guilty of an offense.
• Chesterfield
• Clayton
• Columbia
• Crane
  • Wiley Law Office: There is no doubt that nothing is as scary as being charged with a criminal offense, be it misdemeanor or felony. Although friends and relatives mean well, they never know the feelings that you are dealing with in this situation. Your best bet is to quickly talk to an attorney, answer his or her questions truthfully, and together chart a course toward a resolution of the case.
• Florissant
  • Carl Kohnen: The consequences of driving while intoxicated in the State of Missouri, even if it is your first offense, have become much more severe. If you are convicted of the charge, you will receive a conviction on your driving record plus points which will suspend your driver's license. Depending on whether or not you submitted to an alcohol breath test, you will also face an administrative suspension or revocation. If you submit to a Breathalyzer test and the results of that test are .08 or higher, your driverÕs license will be immediately taken and you will have 15 days to file a request for a hearing. If you do not request a hearing within 15 days, or if you request a hearing but do not prevail, your driver's license will be suspended for a period of 90 days, assuming you had no other alcohol contacts in the last five years. In order to have your driverÕs license reinstated, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee plus you will be required to complete an alcohol education program known as "Satop". You will also be required to have your insurance company submit an SR22 form confirming that you have automobile liability insurance. When you request this from the insurance company they will, of course, be aware that you have been charged with driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol. TheyÊwill then either raise your insurance rates or cancel your insurance coverage. Consequently,Êyou will be required to obtain high-risk insurance coverage, which is much more expensive. If you refuse the Breathalyzer test, you will have thirty days to file a Petition for Review to challenge this revocation. If you do not file a Petition for Review within thirty days, your license will be revoked for a period of one year. Although you have thirty days to file a Petition for Review you only have temporary driving privileges for a period of 15 days. When we file a Petition for Review on your behalf we can obtain a Stay Order from a Judge, which will allow you to continue driving until the matter is resolved. In many instances we are able to avoid the one-year driver's license revocation. If you have prior driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence arrests, even if they did not result in a conviction, the possibility of jail time becomes much more real. This is in addition to the possibility of loss of your driving privileges, which can include a lifetime loss of driving privileges for a third driving while intoxicated or related conviction.
• Gladstone
  • Diane Denniston: If you or someone you love has recently received a traffic violation, such as a speeding ticket, stop sign violation or even a DUI/DWI, you need to know your rights! Missouri state law assigns a points-system to different traffic offenses, mainly based on who stops you rather than why you are stopped.
• Harrisonville
  • Benjamin Law Firm: When you are accused of a crime, you find yourself in a frightening and stressful situation. No matter how minor the charge may seem, you should be represented by knowledgeable, competent counsel, who can work through the criminal justice system, give you zealous representation, and minimize the impact of the proceedings on your life. If you have been accused of a crime, or if you know someone who has been accused of a crime, do not delay in contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney.
• Hillsboro
  • Hammon Law Firm: You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
• Holister
  • David Akers: Criminal Law: The body of law that defines criminal offenses, regulates the apprehension, charging, and trial of suspected persons, and fixes penalties and modes of treatment applicable to convicted offenders.
• Independence
  • Sommer, John: A Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge, otherwise known as driving under the Influence (DUI), can have serious consequences in Missouri. It can mean paying huge fines, enrolling in a DUI school, contending with higher insurance premiums and fighting a license suspension or a jail sentence. These complications can be minimized or avoided with the help of a skilled DWI lawyer.
• Jefferson City
  • Hanrahan Trap: If you have been arrested for a DUI/DWI, drug charges, theft, domestic violence, fraud, or any other state or federal charge, we encourage you to learn more about your rights.
  • HEARNE & GREEN: An experienced DUI and DWI attorney can minimize the damage of your charges to your record by exploiting holes in the prosecutions' case, including errors made by the arresting officer during your traffic stop. An acquittal in a drunk-driving case will save you from jail time, fines, loss of license, and escalating auto insurance rates, so contact our drunk-driving lawyer immediately.
  • Brydon, Swearengen & England: DUI /DWI Driving While Intoxicated (“DWI”) or Driving Under the Influence (“DUI”) are terms interchangeably used in Missouri to describe the offense of a person operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. While DWI/DUI is relatively common, hiring an experienced attorney is critical. The Missouri Legislature has recently enacted new laws that provide increased punishment for repeat offenders, possibly involving substantial prison time. Many people also fail to consider the collateral consequence that a guilty plea or conviction may have on their driver’s licenses. The Missouri Department of Revenue, while having the power to issue a driver’s license, also has the power to suspend or revoke driving privileges. The Missouri Department of Revenue often will initiate proceedings separate from court proceeding to suspend or revoke a person’s driving privileges as a result of a person’s arrest for a DWI/DUI.
  • Carson & Coil:

    Answers to Common Questions About DUI/DWI

    Although it may have many names, including driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating under the influence (OUI), drunk driving, and drunken driving, operating a car after using or while using alcohol or drugs is a serious matter. As the name varies, so do the laws in each state concerning DUI/DWI (which is how it will be referred to in this application). However, there is one constant: it can cause serious injuries or death, and it is against the law. Following are answers to some common questions that arise in DUI/DWI situations.

    How serious is DUI/DWI?

    DUI/DWI is a serious problem. Thousands of Americans are killed each year in DUI/DWI accidents. Although many of those accidents result in the death of the intoxicated party, a significant and unfortunate number involve the death of "innocent" parties who were in the wrong place at a time when someone chose to drive a car while impaired. DUI/DWI is dangerous for those individuals who chose to operate a car under the influence, and for those individuals whom they injure or kill. In addition to the severe physical injuries that may result in a DUI/DWI accident, there are also serious emotional and mental scars that may never fully heal for both the offenders and their victims.

    Is it "safer" to drink beer, wine or hard liquor in excess?

    None of them. Different types of drinks contain different concentrations of alcohol, or what may be called "proofs." The proof rating is two times the alcohol concentration. Therefore, a 200 proof liquor has a 100 percent alcohol concentration. Most hard liquors have a higher alcohol concentration than most wines, and most wines have a higher alcohol concentration than most beers, meaning that it may take "less" hard liquor and wine to become intoxicated. However, the alcohol concentration of a drink is not everything. You also have to consider the size of the drink that you are having. Therefore, a shot glass of hard liquor, which is usually only about 1-1/2 ounces of alcohol, may end up having the same effect as one five-ounce glass of wine or one twelve-ounce beer.

    Drinking any alcoholic beverage to excess is never a good idea. Not only may you seriously injure yourself or others if you decide to operate a car after drinking excessively, but you may also suffer other physical injuries whether or not you decide to operate a motor vehicle. Excessive alcohol consumption over a long period of time can cause damage to the kidneys, liver, heart, and brain. Excessive use of alcohol within a short period of time can also lead to death.

    What is a blood alcohol content?

    A blood alcohol content (BAC) or blood alcohol level (BAL) is a measure of how much ethanol is in your system. The ethanol level in your blood is a byproduct of the broken down alcohol that you consumed. BAC and BAL are measured in a scientific manner that calculates the ratio of ethanol to blood within your system. Therefore, if you have a BAC of .15, that really means that you have .15 grams of ethanol per 100 millimeters of blood in your system. In most jurisdictions, if your BAC or BAL is above .10, and you are operating a car or other vehicle (including some dangerous machinery), you have broken the law.

    • You may still be charged with DUI/DWI even if your BAC or BAL is under .08

    Do I have to take a breath analyzer test?

    A breath analyzer test measures a person's BAC or BAL. The amount of ethanol that is in your system is the same as the amount of ethanol that is "on" your breath when you exhale and inhale. As a result, police are able to test your BAC or BAL by having you breathe into a breath analyzer. Whether you are required to take the test depends on the law in the state you are in at the time. Under the law in some states, if you refuse to submit to a breath analyzer test or other similar test for measuring your BAC or BAL, such as a blood test, your license will automatically be suspended. If you are later found to have not been intoxicated or impaired, your license may still be suspended in some states as a result of your failure to cooperate.

    Can I be charged with DUI/DWI for driving after taking drugs?

    Yes. If you operate a car under the influence of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, or any other illegal substance, you can be charged with a crime. In addition, it is not only illegal drugs that can get you into trouble. Many prescription medications and some over-the-counter medications carry with them specific warnings that they may impair abilities and should not be used while operating any dangerous equipment, including motor vehicles. Check the labels on all medications carefully. Don't get behind the wheel if you are taking any medications that are incompatible with safe driving.

    What will happen if I have more than one DUI/DWI conviction?

    What will happen to you depends upon what state you are in. In most jurisdictions, there is a "step-up" method for handling multiple DUI/DWI convictions for the same person. In some states, a person will be required to pay a fine and perhaps serve a minimum term of imprisonment for a first conviction in addition to having their license suspended. For a second offense, some states may increase the fines and imprisonment or term of suspension. Additional offenses may result in revocation of a license, incarceration and the loss of driving privileges for life. In addition, in some states, a judge may order that the offender participate in an alcohol or drug treatment and education program. Of course, if you seriously injure or kill another person while operating under the influence, you may face additional charges and civil lawsuits.

    Are "alternative" penalties okay for DUI/DWI?

    In many cases "alternative" penalties are allowed in DUI/DWI cases. A judge hearing your case may have discretion in deciding how you should be punished. In situations where you have seriously injured or killed another person, the judge may not have such discretion, but in first time offenses, or in less serious matters, a judge may be able to require you to perform community service in the nature of giving talks about the dangers of drunk driving. In other situations, a judge may require you to place a license plate on your vehicle or a mark on your driver's license that indicates that you have been convicted of DUI/DWI.

    Should I get an attorney if I have been charged with DUI/DWI?

    Although you are not required to have an attorney, it is a good idea to retain one if you have been placed under arrest or charged with DUI/DWI, since these laws are strictly enforced. Some states require that the police provide you with a list of local DUI/DWI defense attorneys. While there may be some arguments that you can make in your defense, your chance of successfully making those arguments or finding mistakes that may have been made in your arrest are much greater if you have an attorney assisting you. If you are faced with a DUI/DWI charge, an attorney may be your only hope for avoiding or reducing any penalties or imprisonment you may face.

• Joplin
  • Sota & Briggs: If you are facing a drunk driving charge, you should hire a lawyer who will help you understand the potentially serious consequences that you could be facing. A DWI/DUI charge can affect your life, your wallet, and your freedom. A driver's license or commercial driver's license (CDL) suspension can affect your ability to earn a living. Costly fines can damage your financial position. In more serious cases, you may face jail time. Protect your rights.ÊContactÊan experiencedÊDWI and DUI attorney immediately. There are two aspects of a DWI case. The first involves an administrative hearing where the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can suspend your license. The second is the criminal trial, where the justice system can impose fines and jail sentences on criminal defendants. You should understand the difference between these proceedings. You can be successful in one proceeding but lose in the other. Hire an experienced DUI and DWI attorney to represent you during both hearings. Explore every avenue of possible resolution in your defense. Were you pulled over on I-44 or US-71? Question whether the officer had probable cause to stop you in the first place. Was the officer properly trained to administer sobriety tests? Was the equipment properly calibrated? The answers to these questions could determine the result of your case.
  • Cobb Young: DUI: More Serious than Most People Realize Over the past few decades, the countrys attitude toward drunk driving has changed. The serious injuries and deaths caused by drunk driving have led to greater vigilance and zero-tolerance. The attitudes of prosecutors and judges have also changed. There is less patience and understanding for occasional drinking and driving "slip ups". IF YOU ARE CHARGED WITH DUI, YOU HAVE ONLY A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME TO ENTER YOUR DEFENSE BEFORE YOUR LICENSE IS SUSPENDED OR AUTOMATICALLY REVOKED.
• Kansas City
• Lake Ozark
  • Jon Kaltenbronn: When someone is charged with drunk driving or other serious traffic matters, the concerns are often similar: How and when do I get my license back? How will this affect my insurance premiums? What will happen in court? What are the potential consequences?
• Lee's Summit
  • Brandi Morris: A driver's license is essential to our way of life, but a drunk-driving conviction or one too many speeding tickets can mean your license is suspended for months. If you have been charged with drunk driving, don't plead guilty until you have spoken with an attorney. You may have an effective defense, or I may be able to minimize the damage to your driving record.
  • Ronald Jurgeson: The filing of any criminal charge against you is a serious matter. Don't try to challenge the government alone. You need an attorney experienced in these matters.
  • Earnshaw-Hobbs Law Office: You may be fined up to $500.00 if you received your ticket from a city court or up to $1,000 if you received a State ticket (in addition to any jail time the court may impose). You will also be required to attend the SATOP screening and one of the alcohol schools and the Victim Impact Panel (or VIP) program. AND you may be required to be on supervised probation (to keep out of the jail time that may be imposed) at a cost of anywhere from $12.00 to $20.00 per month for up to 24 months.
• Liberty
  • Coulson Law Office: Whether you have been charged with driving on a suspended license in Platte County or with a felony drug charge in Kansas City, the time to contact an attorney is now.
  • Holdsworth & Allen: If you think you need an attorney, this is the time to consult the expert.
• Lexington
  • Aull, Sherman, Worthington, Gioza & Hamilton: Drunk Driving Defense - the "right to drive" is a privilege which is governed by the individual states. Traffic violations are a mix of regulatory and penal (criminal) offenses based on violations of state statutes and city ordinances relating to the operation of vehicles, specifically driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances which impair the ability to drive.
• Manchester
  • Lee Patton: The criminal justice process is the process by which crimes are investigated, charged, tried, and punished. Because the criminal justice system involves actions by the government against its citizens, the criminal justice process has been the subject of constitutional protections dating back, in the English common law system, to the Magna Carta. The constitutional protections afforded to citizens under modern law derive from both federal and state constitutions. The U.S. Constitution sets forth numerous principles governing both federal and state criminal proceedings. n state proceedings, federal constitutional principles set a baseline standard of protection of the rights of persons accused of crime.
• Moberly
  • Stephanie Luntsford: Almost all states increase a charge for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) from a misdemeanor to a felony when a driver has had a certain number of prior DUI convictions. Accordingly, prosecutors in DUI cases will often search for prior DUI convictions to enhance a new charge. However, the admissibility of a prior conviction in court can depend on when and where the prior conviction occurred. Determining That a Prior Conviction Exists Prior convictions for DUI can be obtained from a variety of sources. Agencies that may have information on an individual's prior charges and convictions include: Prosecutors' Offices Law Enforcement Agencies Departments of Motor Vehicles County and Municipal Courts Probation and Corrections Offices Newspaper Archives
• North Kansas City
  • David Wells: The system of "bail" refers to the release of a prisoner after their arrest but prior to their trial. Bail must be backed by a form of security, usually cash or a bail bond (a premium percentage of the bail paid to a bond seller), which is forfeited if the defendant fails to appear at trial. In other words, the individual posting bail or a bail bond, (typically the defendant, family member or a close friend), essentially guarantees to pay the full bail amount in the event that the defendant "jumps bail," or fails to appear at trial. This bail process is subject to some constitutional limitations.
• O'Fallon
  • Adams Law Office: If you have been charged with any type of driving violation-from the least serious to the most serious-you need expert representation.
• Osage Beach
  • Loraine & Associates: DWI laws have gotten tougher across the country in recent years Ð the legal limit is now .08 percent blood alcohol content (BAC) in all 50 states. DWI punishment has increased, and jail sentences, higher fines, increased car insurance premiums, longer driverÕs license suspensions, mandatory alcohol schools, and ignition interlock devices are common penalties. If you have been arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Missouri, it is important to remember that time is critical. You may lose your drivers license if you fail to act immediately.
• Ozark
• Park Hills
  • Maynard & Joyce: Traffic violations can have serious criminal consequences, particularly when a driver is accused of driving while intoxicated. A conviction on DWI charges may result in fines, loss or suspension of driver's license, and possible jail time. Automobile insurance rates may be increased.
• Poplar Bluff
  • Moore Walsh and Albright: A criminal conviction can change the rest of your life. Representation by an experienced criminal defense lawyer is critical in the initial stages of a criminal prosecution. Statements made in the early stages of a criminal investigation can be crucial to the defense of your case.
• Raymore
  • Jones, Clayton: If you have been charged with a Traffic Offense, you need an experienced, assertive MissouriÊTraffic Defense Attorney.
• Raytown
  • Michael Hanna:

    Things you should know immediately upon your arrest

    In Missouri, DWI or DUI are basically synonymous terms. Regardless of whether you have been arrested and charged with DWI or DUI, the upshot is the same. If you are arrested for DWI, you have been arrested for driving while intoxicated because the arresting officer believed that you were driving your vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. If you are arrested for driving under the influence, the arresting officer believed that you were driving your vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

    In either event, you must understand that, upon your arrest for DUI or DWI, you have two problems which will be facing you. They are as follows:

    1. The traffic ticket or tickets that you have received as the result of the DWI or DUI arrest; and

    2. The possible suspension or revocation of your Missouri Driver's license and/or Missouri driving privilege either because you allegedly tested in excess of .08% on the breath test machine or because you allegedly refused to take the breath test.

    Many people who come to see me have gotten themselves into greater trouble because they only paid attention to the Court date that was listed on their ticket or tickets. The Court date on the ticket or tickets will only tell you the date that you have to appear in Court for the first time on the ticket or tickets you have received. However, the possible administrative suspension or revocation of your Missouri driver's license and/or your Missouri driving privilege for allegedly testing in excess of .08% on the breath test or for allegedly refusing the breath test needs much more immediate attention. Whether you allegedly tested too high on the breath test or whether you allegedly refused to submit to the breath test, the time clock begins to run from the date of your arrest for purposes of your ability to be able to lawfully drive your vehicle. In both instances, you will receive a 15 day driving permit which will run out after the passage of fifteen days from your arrest date unless appropriate steps are taken to extend the driving permit. If you allegedly test too high on the breath test (in other words, if you test more than .08 %) you must file a request for a hearing to have this aspect of your case reviewed within 15 days of the date of your arrest. If you allegedly refuse to take the breath test, you have 30 days from the date of your arrest to file a petition for a hearing to review your alleged refusal to take the breath test.

    As you can see, in either the case of a breath test refusal or an excessive breath test, you can't just wait until your court date comes as shown on your ticket. If you do, you will lose certain rights to challenge the applicable aspect of your case, be it an alleged chemical refusal or an alleged breath test which exceeds .08%. It is important for you to understand that it is possible to be successful in these aspects of your DWI or DUI case.

  • Rocky Cannon: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs causes numerous accidents every year. Although DUI accidents are preventable, people continue to drink and drive. Here are a few of the disturbing statistics: * In 2001, over 40% of fatal automobile accidents were alcohol-related. * Approximately 30% of Americans will be in an accident involving alcohol. * According to estimates, someone is injured in an alcohol-related accident every two minutes. * Accidents involving alcohol are more likely to occur at night-about five times more likely. * About two-thirds of DUI convictions are for first time offenders, meaning that more people continue to drive under the influence even after seeing punishments meted out to others. * More than one-third of all fatal traffic accidents in 2001 involved at least one person with a BAC over 0.08. * According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, all but 3% of Americans cite drunk drivers as a serious hazard to their lives and families.
• Richmond
  • J. Armin Rust: Have you been charged with DWI or a traffic violation? Have you been arrested for a drug crime? Whatever criminal charge you are facing, a criminal defense law firm can help.
• Rolla
• Salem
• Sikeston
  • James McClellan We have extensive experience defending the rights of people arrested and accused of criminal offenses. We handle all types of criminal cases, including minor infractions and misdemeanors and the most serious felony indictments, such as, drunk driving, drug possession, narcotics sales, theft and grand larceny, white-collar fraud, embezzlement, sex offenses, arson, and conspiracy.
• St. Ann's
  • Charles Huber: Alcohol offenses, Driving while Suspended or Revoked, Leaving the Scene of an Accident; these are more serious offenses. These tickets do not get amended. We need to fix the problem, if possible. For driving while suspended ore revoked, I will see if you are eligible for reinstatement. If I can get you reinstated, or get a hardship driving privilege; a good result will usually follow. Alcohol Offenses (DWI, DUI, and BAC) are even more complex. There will usually be two separate actions against you. There is the actual ticket in the Court, and there is a separate suspension or revocation action from Jefferson City, because of what you blew on the breath test, or because of your refusal to take the breath test.
• St. Charles
• St. Joseph
  • Todd Griffee: If you’ve been charged with a DWI, you need to hire a lawyer immediately. In the state of Missouri, you only have 15 days to file a request for a hearing before your license is automatically suspended.
  • Chad Gaddie: If you have been charged with a DUI (Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), in or around Buchanan or Andrew County, then you need an experienced DUI-DWI lawyer to defend you.
• St. Louis
• St. Peters
• Springfield
• Thayer
  • Perkins Law Office: If you or someone in your family has been accused of a crime, don't delay. Hire an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. A good criminal defense lawyer can spend time and money investigating the case and creating a solid defense strategy, while a typical public defender, due to a high case load, can just plead guilty and hope for the best. An experienced defense attorney can minimize fines, avoid jail sentences, or even getting the case thrown out of court.
• Unknown
  • Hottman, Todd: There is approximately one arrest every 10 minutes for DUI and DWI in Kansas and Missouri. It is the most common crime involving otherwise law abiding citizens. It is often the only contact with the criminal justice system those charged will ever have.
  • Walter, Scott: If you are accused of a crime or traffic offense call a criminal defense attorney.
• Warrensburg
  • Losh-North, Troy: A DUI/DWI charge in Missouri may result in harsh consequences. Depending on the nature of the alleged offense, you could be facing heavy fines, license suspension, license revocation, probation, installation of an ignition interlock device and even serious jail time. Too many tickets can result in license suspension or even revocation.
  • Lance Riddle: You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
  • Lloyd Law Office: One of the most frequent questions we hear is, "What are the benefits of hiring an attorney for a traffic ticket?" One of the benefits is that by doing so often no points will be assigned to your license. This can save you thousands of dollars on increased insurance rates. Another benefit of having no points on your license is eliminating your chances of having your license suspended. A suspended license can prevent you from doing many things in life, such as working, going to school or simply having fun.
• Warrenton
  • Jeffrey Robertson: You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
  • Ronald Fralicks: What Are Points? Missouri gives "points" to people every time they plead guilty to, or are convicted of, a traffic violation or drunk driving offense. If you accumulate 8 or more points on your driving record in 18 months, your license will be suspended. Call my Warrenton office at (636) 456-7059 to discuss your case. You may have a defense, or I might be able to negotiate a lesser charge to avoid or reduce points against your driving record. But you need to act right away. Contact me today to learn more about how to protect your driving privileges. Points for Some State Traffic Violations ¥ No proof of insuranceÑ2 points ¥ SpeedingÑ3 points ¥ Careless & Imprudent DrivingÑ4 points ¥ Allowing an unlicensed driver to operate your vehicleÑ4 points ¥ Excess blood alcohol (over .08)Ñ8 points for a first offense ¥ Falsely representing yourself to get a driver's licenseÑ12 points ¥ Driving on a suspended or revoked licenseÑ12 points
• West Plains
  • Melissa Stewart: In a landmark 1969 U.S. Supreme Court case, Chimel v. California, the Court held that law enforcement officers may conduct warrantless searches of arrested individuals and their immediate surrounding areas. This rule is known as the "search incident to an arrest" exception to the Fourth Amendment's prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures. The rationale behind this decision is that officers should be protected from the danger that an individual could reach for a concealed weapon. The rule also serves to prevent the destruction of evidence. Such searches are not only considered to be an exception to the Fourth Amendment's general requirement that officers have warrants prior to conducting searches, such searches are also presumed to be "reasonable" as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Robinson (1973).