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Every year the laws in the state of Missouri get tougher on drunk drivers. In January of 2017, the Missouri legislature once again enacted new DWI Penalties which crack down on DWI offenders.
1st DWI Offense – An individual’s first Missouri DWI will be charged as a Class B Misdemeanor where there is not a prior DWI conviction in the past five years, or two DWI convictions within his or her lifetime. A Missouri Class B misdemeanor carries the possibility of up to six months in jail and a fine up to $1,000.00, plus court costs. A first-time DWI conviction will result in eight points being assessed against your license and may result in the offender having to have an ignition interlock device installed on his or her vehicle.
Prior Offender – If an individual has a prior DWI plea of guilty within the last five years, a second DWI offense will be charged as a Class A misdemeanor in Missouri. A Class A misdemeanor carries the possibility of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.00, plus court costs. A second DWI conviction within five years will also result in a five year license denial. After serving two years, the driver may apply for limited driving privileges for the remaining three years. If limited driving privileges are granted, the driver will be required to install an ignition interlock device on his vehicle. If an individual’s second DWI offense did not occur within five years of the first DWI offense, the DWI will be charged as a Class B misdemeanor, and his or her license will be revoked for one year if convicted.
Persistent Offender – 2 or more prior pleas of guilty to a DWI offense OR 1 prior where a person was injured or killed. This is a class E felony. A Class E felony in Missouri is punishable by up to four years in prison and up to a $10,000.00 fine. Additionally, a third DWI conviction will result in a 10 year license denial. This is also the
Aggravated Offender – 3 or more prior pleas of guilty to a DWI offense OR 2 priors and at least 1 of them resulted in a person being injured or killed. This is a class D felony. A Class D felony and is punishable by up to seven years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
Chronic Offender – 4 or more prior pleas of guilty to a DWI offense OR 3 priors and at least 1 of them resulted in a person being injured or killed OR 2 priors and both of them resulted in a person being injured or killed. This is a class C felony. A Class C felony and is punishable by a term of not less than three years, and up to 10 years in prison.
Habitual Offender – 5 or more prior pleas of guilty to a DWI offense OR 4 priors and at least 1 of them resulted in a person being injured or killed OR 3 priors and at least 2 of them resulted in a person being injured or killed. This is a class B felony. A Class B felony and is punishable by a term of not less than five years, and up to 15 years in prison.
In addition to the criminal penalties of a DWI conviction that may include license suspension or revocation, jail time, fines, and probation, an individual also faces driver’s license consequences from the Department of Revenue on the administrative component of their DWI case. Often, an individual may face a license suspension or revocation from the administrative and criminal aspect of their case. However, license suspensions and revocations may run concurrently with one another.
At Henderson Law Group, we handle cases ranging from a first-time DWI offense to felony DWI cases throughout Missouri and Illinois. Our experienced DWI lawyers understand this complex area of law, and know what steps to take to protect your rights. We will work tirelessly to obtain the best possible result for you. Contact us today for a free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.