St. Joseph, Missouri DUI Defense Attorneys
If convicted for drunk driving in the state of Missouri, you could be sentenced to jail, have your driver's license suspended or revoked, fined heavily, and be required to install an ignition interlock device on your car.
Additionally, a conviction for drunk driving will go on your criminal record, increase your insurance rates, and result in the loss of your commercial license if you drive a bus, truck, or delivery van. In order to avoid losing your license and spending time in jail, it's important to understand what your options are, how to challenge breathalyzer results, and what can be done to reduce the charges or sentence against you.
At Kranitz & Kranitz, our DUI defense attorneys understand how to work with the court in exploring alternatives to a lengthy license suspension and jail. Depending on your driving record, we may be able to convince the court to increase your community service hours in exchange for spending time in jail.
For more information regarding our practice and what is involved in a DUI arrest and conviction, contact DWI defense attorneys at the law office of Kranitz & Kranitz today.
DUI Penalties in the State of Missouri
While judges have some discretion in sentencing defendants convicted for drunk driving, the following penalties define the range possible sentences in DUI / DWI cases:
- First time offense: Up to $500 in fines; a maximum of 6 months in jail; a 30 day driver's license suspension followed by a 60-day driving restriction allowing transportation to and from work, school, or alcohol counseling. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device at your own expense. It costs between $50 to $100 to install and between $50 to $75 thereafter each month. A first time conviction will results in 8 points being counted against your license.
- Second time offense: Up to $1,000 in fines; a maximum of up to 1 year in jail; if convicted within 5 years of your first DUI conviction, a driver's license suspension of 5 years; a hardship license can be applied for after 2 years of the 5 year suspension has been served; in order to drive on a hardship license, the defendant must install an ignition interlock device. 12 points will be assessed against your license.
- Third time offense: Up to $5,000 in fines; up to 5 years in prison; a 10 year revocation of your driver's license; no hardship license is permitted.
Convictions for a fourth or fifth DUI involve the potential for substantially more time in prison, a $5,000 fine, and the permanent revocation of your license.
Fighting a DUI Charge
Due to the serious nature of the penalties involved, it's important to fight a DUI / DWI charge when evidence exists indicating a police officer did not have reasonable suspicion to pull you over. Additionally, if an officer fails to correctly administer a field sobriety test, he doesn't have probable cause to arrest you. And, even if a field sobriety test is conducted appropriately, that doesn't mean you were legally drunk.
If you take a breath test, the machine may have been improperly maintained or incorrectly calibrated. Our DUI defense attorneys consult forensic specialists, lab technicians, and certified field sobriety test trainers in exposing mistakes on the part of arresting officers as well as questionable evidence provided by them.
Contact DUI / DWI Defense Lawyers at Kranitz & Kranitz Today
If you've been arrested for drunk driving in Missouri, contact DUI / DWI defense attorneys at Kranitz & Kranitz today to schedule an appointment to discuss your case. A DUI conviction goes on your criminal record, impacts your insurance premiums, and could result in the loss of your job. Learn more about the options available to you and how we can help reduce the charges or sentence against you.
Kranitz & Kranitz, PC
107 South 4 th Street
St. Joseph, MO 64501
Phone: (816) 232-4409
Fax: (816) 232-8558
E-Mail: Contact Us
Providing legal services to clients in the following places
| City | County | City | County |
| St. Joseph | Buchanan | Albany | Gentry |
| Savannah | Andrew | Maysville | Dekalb |
| Oregon | Holt | Plattsburg | Clinton |
| Maryville | Nodaway | Bethany | Harrison |
| Rockport | Atchison | Gallatin | Daviess |
| Platte City | Platte | Kingston | Caldwell |
| Grant City | Worth |