Criminal Defense Law Firm
James E. Carmichael, Attorney at Law James E. Carmichael, Attorney at Law
DUI/DWI Over 40 Years of Criminal Defense Experience

St. Charles DUI/DWI Lawyer

Accused of Drunk or Intoxicated Driving? Call Our Firm Now.

Like all states, Missouri punishes those convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and/or drugs. The consequences of a conviction for DWI or DUI are significant and can impact your life in many ways. 

At James E. Carmichael, Attorney at Law, founding practitioner James Carmichael has decades of experience in which he has handled thousands of criminal defense cases both in and out of court. That is the kind of experience that can have a substantial effect on results. He will start with a thorough investigation of all factors related to your arrest, from why you were pulled over in the first place to other police procedures, the efficacy of sobriety tests, breathalyzer equipment, and more. Many aspects of DWI/DUI arrests can be faulty leading to the prosecution’s case against you being put into doubt.

Arrested for drunk driving? Get a free case analysis from a St. Charles DUI attorney. Call (636) 442-0077 as soon as possible. Attorney Carmichael represents drivers throughout St. Charles County, St. Louis County, and Lincoln County. 

Why You Need an Attorney to Fight DUI/DWI Charges

While you may believe you have no chance of obtaining any kind of favorable outcome for drunk and/or drugged driving, hiring a competent, experienced criminal defense lawyer can make all the difference. The impact on your driving privilege is complicated and can be severe. You will need someone who knows how to investigate all aspects of a DUI/DWI and who has trial experience. Your attorneys’ knowledge of how to prepare your case carefully and comprehensively for trial will put you in the strongest position possible for beneficial negotiations with prosecutors or for your day in court before a judge and jury.

Attorney James E. Carmichael has obtained numerous successful outcomes for clients facing DWI and other criminal charges over his more than four decades in practice. View some of his notable case results below.

  • Case Dismissed DWI
  • Avoided Prison DWI
  • Case Dismissed DWI
  • “A win for Carmichael” - Tim
  • “The man to go to!” - Judy
  • “Undoubtedly best of the best.” - Bob
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Client testimonials

Find out how the law firm of James E. Carmichael, Attorney at Law is viewed by clients represented in former Missouri criminal defense cases.

DUI/DWI in Missouri

What is the Legal Alcohol Limit in Missouri?

In Missouri, you can be convicted of DWI if you were found driving or in physical control of your vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher. This is all the evidence that is needed for a charge to be filed. “Physical control of your vehicle” means that, even if you were not moving down the roadway but were behind the wheel with the keys in the ignition, you could be arrested for drunk driving. 

You can also be arrested for DUI if you were driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol to the point of being impaired, even if your BAC was below the legal limit. For those under 21, driving with a BAC of .02 percent or higher is illegal. For commercial license holders driving a commercial vehicle, the legal limit is a BAC level of .04 percent or higher. 

DUI/DWI Penalties in Missouri

Your penalties in these cases will depend on various circumstances. These can include whether you have prior convictions, the level of your BAC, and other factors, such as if you were driving with a child in the car or caused an accident causing property damage, injury, or loss of life. 

  • First-offense DWI/DUI is considered a Class B misdemeanor. It carries penalties of up to six months in jail, fines of up to $1,000, and a license suspension of 30 days. This may be followed by 60 days of a restricted license for which you may have to install an ignition interlock device. You will also have demerit points added to your driving record and will likely see a hike in your auto insurance premiums. You may get a suspended jail sentence by being subject to probation with conditions, such as only a few days in jail, completion of an alcohol/drug abuse treatment program, and random alcohol/drug testing. 
  • Second offense DWI can result in up to a year in jail, fines of up to $2,000, and a one-year license suspension. If your second offense occurs within five years of your first offense, you could lose your license for up to five years. 
  • Third and subsequent DWI offenses result in even more severe penalties; they are charged as felonies. These carry up to four years in prison, fines of up to $10,000, and a 10-year revocation of your license. 

Get Honest & Straightforward Guidance for Your DWI Case

It can be frightening to be arrested and accused of a crime, but just remember two things: 1) you have rights, and 2) you are innocent until proven guilty. Just because you have been accused of DWI does not mean that there’s nothing you can do. When  you retain the law firm of James E. Carmichael, Attorney at Law, you can feel confident that you will have a proven, highly respected expert advocating for you. Attorney Carmichael can provide you with the sound legal advice you need to get through your case and pursue the best possible outcome.

With your rights, future, and reputation on the line, make the right choice for legal representation. To schedule a consultation with a DWI lawyer in St. Charles, contact our office today. 
 

Quality You Can Count On We pride ourselves on delivering professional and attentive legal representation
  • 40 Years of Criminal Defense Experience
  • Countless Jury Trials Successfully Won
  • Honest & Straightforward Guidance
  • Highly Respected by Peers, Prosecutors and Judges
YOUR FUTURE DESERVES TO BE PROTECTED CHOOSE A FIRM WITH A PROVEN RECORD OF SUCCESS