Missouri DUI Consequences
 |
|---|
Even individuals who are skilled in the art of debate cannot refute the dangers of driving under the influence (DUI). In fact, with the number of drivers who are injured and killed in alcohol-related collisions each year, the consequences of drinking and driving are often deadly. As a result of these statistics, it’s easy to understand why DUI has become a top priority for lawmakers in the United States. To deter impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel, the penalties for DUI have grown increasingly severe over the years—and depending on the laws in your state, a conviction can have a substantial impact on your future. Take, for instance, the Missouri DUI consequences, which include a mandatory fine, license suspension, and/or even imprisonment.
Even if this is your first run-in with the law, a drunk driving conviction can cost you $500 in fines and 8 points on your driver’s license. You can also expect to lose your driving privileges for 30 days or more and, in some cases, spend up to six months in jail. Finally, depending on the nature of your offense, you may be ordered to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle—requiring you to pass a breath test each time you attempt to start your vehicle.
The penalties for a first DUI conviction seem fairly lenient when compared to the punishment repeat offenders typically receive. Under the state’s mandatory DUI sentencing guidelines, a second offense carries a maximum $1,000 fine, one-year license suspension, and mandatory jail time (with the exact sentence ranging from ten days to one year, depending on the circumstances).
What’s more, if less than five years have passed since your previous DUI, you can expect your driving privileges to be revoked for the next five years. And, regardless of how much time has passed between your convictions, a second DUI will cost you 12 points on your driver’s license and include a mandatory ignition interlock device requirement.
If you are unfortunate enough to be convicted of two DUIs, a third conviction carries the maximum punishment allowed under state law, including up to a $5,000 fine, ten-year license suspension, and a 30-day to four-year jail sentence. As with a second offense, the court will also order you to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle and deduct 12 points from your driver’s license.
Along with the penalties listed above, a DUI conviction can wreak long-term havoc on your personal life. Because your conviction will be permanently reflected on your criminal record, prospective employers, housing providers, and educational institutions will see that you were found guilty of driving under the influence when they check your background—a fact that can threaten countless opportunities in the future. Plus, your insurance rates will also be affected by your conviction, as most companies charge convicted drunk drivers far more for coverage (and others simply refuse to insure them at all).
Of course, simply being arrested for DUI does not mean that you will be convicted of the offense in criminal court. There are many ways to challenge your arrest and reduce or avoid a life-altering DUI conviction. To learn the best strategy for your case, submit your information online today to receive a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced DUI defense attorney in your area.
