DRINKING AND DRIVING

JEFFERSON COUNTY MISSOURI DWI LAWYER

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

An arrest for drunk driving can be a very frightening experience and in many cases, is a person’s first encounter with the criminal justice system. Most individuals are not aware of their rights when fighting a DWI case and fail to realize that it is possible to challenge DWI charges, even if the blood alcohol content is high. Also, very few people realize that in Missouri DWI cases involve two separate and distinct cases. A criminal charge as well as administrative action against your driver’s license. For further explanation see below.


If you are arrested and charged with DWI in Missouri, the consequences can be severe. There’s a chance you will lose your driver’s license, pay significant fines or potentially even face jail time, depending on the exact nature of the charge. We work with all types of DWI-related arrests, including breath and blood testing issues, DWI accidents involving injuries, multiple prior DWI charges, underage DWI’s and all aspects of DWI license suspension, reinstatement or hardship driving privileges.

We represent individuals charged with any of the following intoxication related offenses:

  • Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
  • Driving w/ Excessive Blood Alcohol Content
  • Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
  • Boating While Intoxicated (BWI)
  • Boating w/ Excessive Blood Alcohol Content
  • Operating an Aircraft While Intoxicated
  • Operating an Aircraft Excessive Blood Alcohol Content
  • Consuming Alcohol While Driving
  • Open Container


When facing charges that could result in jail time, fines, or license suspension, it is critical to have an attorney who is well versed in the specifics of Missouri DWI law. You need a lawyer who will spend time reviewing all the facts and explaining your options to you so your rights will be protected. Having a DWI conviction can cause loss of your employment, money, driving privileges, your freedom, and increased penalties for future violations.

We have the resources and knowledge to build an aggressive defense for you. As a former prosecutor, Steve Lednick has the tools needed to fight your DWI charges and help to protect you from jail time and fines. We are committed to delivering outstanding legal representation to our clients. When you are represented by us, you can feel assured knowing that an experienced advocate is fighting to keep you from a conviction, protect your driving privilege, and to secure the most favorable outcome.


Missouri Driving While Intoxicated Charges Involve 2 Different Cases

When an individual is stopped, or arrested for driving a vehicle while intoxicated or with their blood alcohol level over the legal limit, two separate sections of Missouri law govern the arrest and suspension or revocation of the persons driving privilege.

Criminal Charges

The criminal part of a DWI case deals with the ticket that was written by the officer. Under Missouri law it is illegal for a person to operate a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated condition. This can be intoxication caused by alcohol, prescribed or illegal drugs, or any combination thereof. In addition, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level in excess of .08%, in which case intoxication is presumed. A DWI conviction can result in heavy fines and in some cases jail time. Moreover, if you are convicted of an alcohol offense, either 8 or 12 points are assessed to your driver record, resulting in either a suspension or revocation.

Administrative Action

Under Missouri Law, any person who operates a motor vehicle on the roads or highways has given consent to a test of their breath, blood, saliva or urine. Assuming the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person is driving while intoxicated, this consent provides them a means to determine whether the person in a drunk or drugged condition. The law allows for a suspension or revocation of your driving privilege if your blood alcohol content is over the legal limit or if you refuse a chemical test. This suspension is separate and not dependent on the outcome of the criminal charge.


Missouri Intoxication Related Driving Offenses FAQ's

  • Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

    A person commits the offense of driving while intoxicated if he or she operates a vehicle while in an intoxicated condition.


    The offense of driving while intoxicated is: (1) A class B misdemeanor; (2) A class A misdemeanor if: (a) The defendant is a prior offender; or (b) A person less than seventeen years of age is present in the vehicle; (3) A class E felony if: (a) The defendant is a persistent offender; or (b) While driving while intoxicated, the defendant acts with criminal negligence to cause physical injury to another person; (4) A class D felony if: (a) The defendant is an aggravated offender; (b) While driving while intoxicated, the defendant acts with criminal negligence to cause physical injury to a law enforcement officer or emergency personnel; or (c) While driving while intoxicated, the defendant acts with criminal negligence to cause serious physical injury to another person; (5) A class C felony if: (a) The defendant is a chronic offender; (b) While driving while intoxicated, the defendant acts with criminal negligence to cause serious physical injury to a law enforcement officer or emergency personnel; or (c) While driving while intoxicated, the defendant acts with criminal negligence to cause the death of another person; (6) A class B felony if: (a) The defendant is a habitual offender; or (b) While driving while intoxicated, the defendant acts with criminal negligence to cause the death of a law enforcement officer or emergency personnel.

  • Driving with Excessive Blood Alcohol Content

    A person commits the offense of driving with excessive blood alcohol content if such person operates: (1) A vehicle while having eight-hundredths of one percent or more by weight of alcohol in his or her blood; or (2) A commercial motor vehicle while having four one-hundredths of one percent or more by weight of alcohol in his or her blood.


    The offense of driving with excessive blood alcohol content is: (1) A class B misdemeanor; (2) A class A misdemeanor if the defendant is alleged and proved to be a prior offender; (3) A class E felony if the defendant is alleged and proved to be a persistent offender; (4) A class D felony if the defendant is alleged and proved to be an aggravated offender; (5) A class C felony if the defendant is alleged and proved to be a chronic offender; (6) A class B felony if the defendant is alleged and proved to be a habitual offender.

  • Boating While Intoxicated (BWI)

    A person commits the offense of boating while intoxicated if he or she operates a vessel while in an intoxicated condition.


    The offense of boating while intoxicated is: (1) A class B misdemeanor; (2) A class A misdemeanor if: (a) The defendant is a prior boating offender; or (b) A person less than seventeen years of age is present in the vessel; (3) A class E felony if: (a) The defendant is a persistent boating offender; or (b) While boating while intoxicated, the defendant acts with criminal negligence to cause physical injury to another person; (4) A class D felony if: (a) The defendant is an aggravated boating offender; (b) While boating while intoxicated, the defendant acts with criminal negligence to cause physical injury to a law enforcement officer or emergency personnel; or (c) While boating while intoxicated, the defendant acts with criminal negligence to cause serious physical injury to another person; (5) A class C felony if: (a) The defendant is a chronic boating offender; (b) While boating while intoxicated, the defendant acts with criminal negligence to cause serious physical injury to a law enforcement officer or emergency personnel; or (c) While boating while intoxicated, the defendant acts with criminal negligence to cause the death of another person; (6) A class B felony if: (a) The defendant is a habitual boating offender; or (b) While boating while intoxicated, the defendant acts with criminal negligence to cause the death of a law enforcement officer or emergency personnel.

  • Boating with Excessive Blood Alcohol Content

    A person commits the offense of boating with excessive blood alcohol content if he or she operates a vessel while having eight-hundredths of one percent or more by weight of alcohol in his or her blood.


    The offense of boating with excessive blood alcohol content is: (1) A class B misdemeanor; (2) A class A misdemeanor if the defendant is alleged and proved to be a prior boating offender; (3) A class E felony if the defendant is alleged and proved to be a persistent boating offender; (4) A class D felony if the defendant is alleged and proved to be an aggravated boating offender; (5) A class C felony if the defendant is alleged and proved to be a chronic boating offender; (6) A class B felony if the defendant is alleged and proved to be a habitual boating offender.

  • Operating an Aircraft While Intoxicated

    A person commits the offense of operating an aircraft while intoxicated if he or she, while in an intoxicated condition, knowingly operates any aircraft or knowingly acts as a copilot, flight engineer or flight navigator for an aircraft while in operation.


    The offense of operating an aircraft while intoxicated is: (1) A class C misdemeanor; (2) A class A misdemeanor if the person has previously been found guilty of the offense of operating an aircraft while intoxicated or with an excessive blood alcohol content, or any offense committed in another jurisdiction which, if committed in this state, would be the offense of operating an aircraft with excessive blood alcohol content or while intoxicated.

  • Operating an Aircraft with Excessive Blood Alcohol Content

    A person commits the offense of operating an aircraft with excessive blood alcohol content if he or she knowingly operates any aircraft or knowingly acts as a copilot, flight engineer or flight navigator for an aircraft while in operation: (1) With four one-hundredths of one percent or more by weight of alcohol in his or her blood; or (2) Within eight hours after the consumption of any alcoholic beverage.


    The offense of operating an aircraft with excessive blood alcohol content is: (1) A class C misdemeanor; (2) A class A misdemeanor if the defendant has been found guilty of operating an aircraft with excessive blood alcohol content or operating an aircraft while intoxicated or any offense committed in any jurisdiction which, if committed in this state, would be the offense of operating an aircraft with excessive blood alcohol content or operating an aircraft while intoxicated.

  • Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages While Driving

    A person commits the offense of consumption of an alcoholic beverage while driving if he or she operates a moving motor vehicle upon any public thoroughfare for vehicles, including state roads, county roads and public streets, avenues, boulevards, parkways or alleys in any municipality while consuming any alcoholic beverage.


    The offense of consumption of an alcoholic beverage while driving is an infraction and shall not be reflected on any records maintained by the department of revenue.

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If you have been arrested for DWI or DUI in Jefferson County, St. Francois County, St. Louis County, Ste. Genevieve County, Washington County or Franklin County Missouri, including the cities of Arnold, Barnhart, Bloomsdale, Byrnes Mill, Cedar Hill, Crystal City, Desloge, DeSoto, Dittmer, Eureka, Farmington, Festus, Fredericktown, French Village, Herculaneum, High Ridge, Hillsboro, Horine, House Springs, Imperial, Mapaville, Mine La Motte, Mineral Point, Morse Mill, Olympian Village, Park Hills, Perryville, Pevely, Potosi, Ste. Genevieve, or Valles Mines, exercise your right to remain silent and your right to speak to an attorney immediately and contact the Lednick Law Firm to get a former Jefferson County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney on your side. Contact us at (636) 638-2150 for a free consultation.

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