Quick Tips on Choosing a DWI Lawyer in Springfield MO

If you’ve just been arrested for a DWI in Springfield and you’re not sure if you need a lawyer, this section will give you the essential information.

Why Hire a DWI Attorney in Springfield, MO?

It’s totally normal to feel scared or embarrassed after being arrested for a DWI in Springfield. Unfortunately, simply ignoring it won’t make it go away.

The prosecutor will make an offer for you to plead guilty, but they do not have your best interests in mind. A guilty plea for a DWI in Greene County means you are a convicted criminal in the eyes of the state. There is a wide range of punishments like jail time, fines and community service and negative consequences such as increased insurance premiums, driver’s license suspension or revocation, background check alerts, and many more.

A DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO like Timothy Brown can work on your behalf in the following ways to help reduce or eliminate the penalties of your DWI:

• Trial – Mr. Brown is a trial lawyer and prepared to prove your innocence in court. His experience in DWI trials and as a Greene County Prosecutor can be invaluable to you.
• Plea Bargain – Mr. Brown works with the Greene County prosecutor to get you a reasonable plea bargain.
• SIS – The Suspended Imposition of Sentence is an alternative sentencing mechanism that your DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO can pursue. This typically includes a 2-year probationary period, that if completed successfully means your DWI won’t result in a conviction on your record.

Regardless of the lawyer that you end up choosing, it’s always in your best interest to have qualified legal representation in court. Without a lawyer, it’s almost guaranteed that you will receive a bad deal and miss opportunities to reduce your penalties or beat the case altogether.

How Should I Choose a DWI Lawyer in Springfield, MO?

If you’ve wisely acknowledged that it’s in your best interest to contact a DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO, you are probably wondering how to choose the right one.

There are tons of lawyers out there and it feels like there are advertisements everywhere – it can all be overwhelming. So, how do you go about choosing the right DWI lawyer with so much at stake? These are some helpful tips you should consider as you search:

• Choose an Attorney who Handles DWI Cases Everyday – If you need glasses, you wouldn’t go to a heart doctor, right? The same thinking is true for a lawyer. Law practices come in all shapes and sizes. You want someone that lives and breathes Springfield DWIs. Hiring a DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO with significant experience defending DWI cases is the most important consideration.
• Ask a Lawyer – If you know a lawyer that you trust, that is a great place to start your search. The legal community in Springfield, MO, is fairly small so there’s a good chance that your lawyer buddy knows a good, reputable DWI attorney who they can recommend.
• Talk to Family & Friends – Same as before, if you have trusted friends and family, this is a good place to start your search. If they don’t know a reputable DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO, it’s likely they will know a lawyer that you can get a referral from.
• Local Bar Association – If you don’t know where to start, consider the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association. This is a group of many lawyers in the Springfield-area with a page dedicated to helping you begin your search for a DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO.
• Speak with Lawyers – Once you have a good referral or a couple of prospects, it’s a good idea to call the attorney and begin a discussion. Many attorneys like Timothy Brown provide a free initial consultation about your case, and it’s during this time you can ask about their caseload, fees, and references.
• Meet with Several Attorneys – It is advisable to meet with several attorneys as they are all different.  It is a good idea to find the best attorney for you and a good way to do that is to meet with several.  

What to Expect with a DWI in Springfield MO

Now that you have some information on hiring a DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO, you’re probably interested to know what the process is like.

• DWI from a Routine Traffic Stop in Springfield, Missouri

A DWI in Springfield, MO, can happen at any time, but they are most common following a routine traffic stop.

The big question a DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO can help with here is: should you have been pulled over in the first place?

Missouri law requires the police to have reasonable suspicion that a crime has or is taking place to enact a traffic stop. This means the Springfield police, Greene County Sheriff’s Office or Missouri Highway Patrol must have more than a hunch to pursue and stop an individual. They need to be able to point to a specific reason why they stopped you, and if it doesn’t hold up, then your arrest could be nullified.

But, what counts as reasonable suspicion? Here are a few examples…

This Counts:

• Failure to stop at a stop sign
• Driving above the stated speed limit
• Switching lanes without signaling

This Doesn’t Count:

• “Looking suspicious”
• Leaving a bar and then driving
• Drifting within your lane

DWI from a Checkpoint in Springfield, Missouri

Although DWI checkpoint funding in Springfield has been reduced, the Springfield police department still uses them and gets results.

Generally speaking, DWI checkpoints are legal in Missouri if they follow the proper, documented procedures.

Whether it’s a routine traffic stop or a DWI checkpoint in Springfield, MO, the police will administer a test or a series of tests to determine if there is probable cause to arrest you on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. If you’ve been arrested for a DWI in Springfield, MO, you have likely experienced one or more of the following:

• Walk and Turn Test
• One Leg Stand Test
• Portable Breath Test
• Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)

The Role of Probable Cause in a Springfield DWI

The officer is using these tests to build the case that he or she has probable cause to arrest you for a DWI. Whether it’s a routine traffic stop or a DWI checkpoint, if the officer believes you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, tests will likely be administered.

These tests are not foolproof or without error, and understanding them intimately can be an important part of your DWI defense. There are countless reasons why a test may be deemed invalid by the courts, so even though an officer may have probable cause to arrest you for a DWI in Springfield, MO, that doesn’t mean you have actually committed a crime.

You have the right to defend yourself against the charges and despite what the officers or prosecutors might say, there is hope.

Each case is different and Timothy Brown is a DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO, who knows the ins and outs of a strong defense. His experience as a Greene County Prosecutor gives him a unique perspective on how prosecutors will likely approach your case, helping you stay one step ahead.

Springfield, MO Mugshots

A difficult reality of a DWI in Springfield, MO is that if you are arrested and booked in Greene County jail, your mugshot will be taken and due to the freedom of information, it could become publicly available on the Internet.

Some salacious entrepreneurs have taken the liberty of compiling mugshots across the country and putting them on a website as a business endeavor. They will often sell advertising space to attorneys in the city or offer to remove your picture, for a fee.

Although there isn’t much you can do to get these removed since the information is publicly available via the freedom of information act, the good news is that you can potentially have the arrest record expunged if found not guilty.

In Missouri, there are two types of expungement. Expungement is the process of sealing or eliminating a criminal charge from your record so that it doesn’t show up on a background check. Thanks to recent legislation in Missouri with SB 588, there are a wide-range of new criminal convictions that are eligible for criminal expungement.

Arrest record expungements have been around for a while and can be pursued if your case ends with a not-guilty verdict or the case is dismissed.

DWI in Springfield, MO, and the Courts

Regardless of whether you are guilty or innocent, an arrest means you are guaranteed to have to face a prosecutor and a judge. If you are arrested for a DWI in Springfield, MO, your punishment will be administered by the Greene County court system.  

The Greene County Circuit Clerk is Missouri’s 31st Judicial Circuit. DWIs are prosecuted in the criminal division of the court, which is located at:

1010 N. Boonville Avenue

                Springfield, Missouri 65802

Phone: (417) 868-4074

Hours: M-F, 8am-5pm (Closed Weekends and Holidays)

The Greene County Courthouse can be intimidating without a trusted advisor to help you navigate the situation. An important thing to remember is that the prosecutor, whose only job is to convict you for a crime is there every single day.

Hiring an experienced former prosecutor and DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO like Timothy Brown is a powerful way to swing the scales of justice back in your favor.

Springfield MO DWI Penalties + BAC Information

Since every case is different, it’s difficult to perform a self-assessment about what you will ultimately be charged with, unless you have the assistance of a DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO.

A DWI conviction can make your life miserable. Jail, fines, loss of your license, losing your car insurance and even your job are just some of the penalties if you are convicted of DWI in Missouri.

The following is intended to give you a better idea of the scope of penalties typically administered across the range of DWI, BAC and alcohol-related offenses when driving a motor vehicle in Missouri.

Quick Look at Springfield, MO DWI Penalties, BAC, Alcohol Offenses  

The laws of Missouri that cover DWIs, BAC and other alcohol-related driving offenses are codified in the Missouri Revised Statutes.

The Greene County Circuit Court and the Missouri Department of Revenue will administer punishment based on your age, driving history, and the type of your DWI, BAC or other alcohol-related charges.

• Alcohol and Drug-Related Convictions: 302.060, 302.302, 577.010, and 577.012, RSMo
• Administrative Alcohol Arrests: 302.500 through 302.540, RSMo
• Alcohol/Drug Test Refusals: 302.574 and 577.041, RSMo
• Minor in Possession/Other Alcohol Offenses: 302.400 and 311.325, RSMo

Each case, court, and judge are different, so it’s not always a uniform punishment system. What Mr. Brown knows from his years of experience as a DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO, is that if you are convicted for a DWI, you will likely face one or a combination of the following:

• Suspension of your driver’s license
• Substantial fines
• Jail time
• An alcohol treatment or addiction evaluation program
• An ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle
• Community service

It may not feel like a serious crime, but the fact is that you are facing charges that could land you in jail.

Without a skilled DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO on your team, you could face some serious consequences.

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – First Offense Penalties

JAIL: Up to a maximum of six (6) months imprisonment.

FINE: Up to $500.00. Court costs may also be up to $138.50.

PROBATION: The general terms of probation are no drinking and driving, do not break the law, complete community service, go to a Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program (SATOP), etc. Your Greene County Probation usually lasts 2 years. A conviction plea of guilty plus the imposition of a fine and/or court costs with probation is commonly referred to as a “Suspended Execution of Sentence” or SES.

SUSPENSION OF DRIVING PRIVILEGES: A criminal conviction of a first time DWI results in a 30-day suspension of driving privileges followed by a 60-day restriction to driving only to and from work, in the course of employment, or to alcohol treatment. There are no hardships or exemptions available during the first 30-day period if you lose your administrative hearing. This suspension becomes a permanent part of your driving record if you do not win your appeal to the Circuit Court of Greene County, Missouri.   Alternatively, a 90 day restricted driving privilege may be available but required you to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed on any vehicle you operate.

The court may also require that a person is restricted to driving a motor vehicle that has an ignition interlock device while on probation. The device costs $50.00-100.00 to install and $50.00-$75.00 per month to maintain.

A conviction will result in 8 points being assessed against the driver’s license.

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – Second Offense Penalties

Conviction of a second DWI within a five year period is a Class A misdemeanor.

JAIL: Up to a maximum of one year in jail.

FINE: Up to $1,000.00, plus court costs of up to $138.50.

PROBATION: Only after a person has served a mandatory minimum of ten days incarceration are they eligible for probation. The jail requirement may be waived in lieu of 30 days (240 hours) of community service. The terms of probation are typical: no breaking the law, no drinking and driving, no going to places where alcohol is served, attend SATOP, complete community service, etc. Court ordered AA meetings, outpatient treatment, or inpatient treatment programs are also a possibility. Probation is usually for a two-year period.

REVOCATION OF DRIVER’S LICENSE: A criminal conviction of a second time DWI within 5 years results in a five (5) year revocation of driving privileges. A hardship license may not be applied for until 30 days of the 5-year revocation have been served. This assumes that you are not otherwise ineligible (e.g., you have a felony driving conviction or a conviction for leaving the scene of an accident, etc.). This revocation goes on the person’s driving record. Twelve points are also assessed against the driver’s license regardless of how old the first DWI conviction was. The Department of Revenue must also require that a person is restricted to driving a motor vehicle that has an ignition interlock device while on probation. The device costs $50.00-100.00 to install and $50.00-$75.00 per month to maintain.

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – Third Offense Penalties

A third DWI during the driver’s lifetime will result in a Class E felony charge. If convicted, if you have two prior alcohol-related convictions (BAC or DWI) on your driving record, there will also be a 10-year denial of driving privileges so long as the three DWIs occurred in 1994 or later.

JAIL: Up to four years in prison.

FINE: Up to $10,000.00, plus court costs.

PROBATION: Missouri law prohibits a suspended imposition of sentence for a felony DWI.

REVOCATION OF DRIVING PRIVILEGES: Upon a third or subsequent criminal conviction for a DWI, the defendant’s driver’s license is revoked for 10 years regardless of how old the two prior convictions are. These revocations go on your driving record forever. If convicted of a felony a DWI, there is no hardship license available, unless the individual goes through DWI court.  

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – Fourth Offense Penalties

A fourth DWI arrest during the driver’s lifetime will be charged as a Class D felony. A conviction may again result in a minimum 10-year denial of driving privileges. The driver will be classified as an “aggravated offender.”

JAIL: Up to seven years in prison.

FINE: Up to $10,000.00, plus court costs.

PROBATION: Missouri law prohibits a suspended execution of sentence for a felony DWI. The court may suspend execution of sentence, provided that the court orders you to serve a minimum of 60 days in jail.

REVOCATION OF DRIVING PRIVILEGES: Upon a fourth or subsequent criminal conviction for a DWI, the defendant’s driver’s license may be revoked for a minimum of 10 years so long as three or more of the DWIs are from 1994 or later. These revocations or “denials” go on the person’s driving record forever. If convicted of a felony DWI, no hardship license is available unless the individual goes through the alternative court treatment known as DWI court.

For information beyond the scope included here, please the Missouri DWI laws page.

What’s the Difference Between a DUI and DWI in Springfield, MO?

In Springfield, Missouri, there is no difference between a DWI and DUI.  The terms are used interchangeably, but the correct term that has been accepted in Missouri is DWI.  

In Springfield, Missouri, there is no difference between a DWI and DUI.  The terms are used interchangeably, but the correct term that has been accepted in Missouri is DWI.  

The only notable variation in Springfield, Missouri that is recognized is a conviction for excessive BAC. In Springfield, Missouri, a person is guilty of a DWI if “he operates a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated or drugged condition.”  However, a driver may be found guilty of BAC anytime a blood, breath, or urine test shows the driver operated a car, truck or another motor vehicle in Springfield, Missouri with a BAC of .08 or beyond.  

The primary difference is that a Missouri driver can be convicted of a DWI if the impairment is proven without evidence of an actual BAC exceeding .08, but a BAC charge requires conclusive evidence of a .08 BAC or higher.

These are 2 separate charges and the nuances can be very confusing. DWIs and other alcohol-related offenses are perhaps the most technically challenging court case due to the testing, changing protocols, and reliance on the officer’s perception.

It’s highly advisable to speak with a DWI lawyer in Springfield, MO, who consistently works to improve their knowledge of the prevailing testing methods, prosecution strategies and trends in Springfield law enforcement.

The Benefits of a DUI/DWI Attorney in Springfield MO

The court process for a DWI charge can be extremely stressful, which is why it makes sense to hire a professional DWI attorney in Springfield, MO. A DWI attorney in Springfield, MO, can help by:

• Be your ally against the prosecution
• Let you know what to expect during and after your court hearing
• Represent you in court or be there if you cannot attend
• Help you determine how to plead
• Handle all court paperwork
• Fight for you and obtain the best result for your future

If you are arrested for a DWI in Springfield, MO, Criminal and Administrative penalties will follow.  You have a very short time during which you can request a hearing, and a DWI attorney in Springfield, MO, should be consulted immediately.

There are a lot of details you probably didn’t know about receiving a DWI in Springfield, MO. A qualified DWI attorney in Springfield, MO, is here to ultimately protect your best interests.

The government, including the police and prosecutors, are powerful and will use all of their resources to obtain a conviction. They have goals and directives within their organizations and those don’t include what is best for you.

Your DWI attorney in Springfield, MO, on the other hand – does. When you hire a DWI attorney in Springfield, MO, their sole purpose is to obtain the best possible outcome for you.

When a DWI attorney in Springfield, MO, passes the Missouri Bar and becomes a lawyer, they take an oath to work toward the best results for their clients and they take that seriously.

A DWI attorney like Timothy Brown will be able to challenge all of the evidence, provide guidance, and act similar to a general in battle who possesses years of experience that are useful to your case. Timothy Brown will evaluate your specific case and determine if you should plead guilty or not guilty to the DWI charge in Springfield, Missouri.  

If he advises you to plead guilty, Mr. Brown will work on your behalf to have the penalties minimized.  

If you are advised to plead not guilty, Mr. Brown will gather evidence and work on your behalf win a not-guilty verdict in court.

Even if you don’t ultimately choose Timothy Brown as your DWI attorney in Springfield, MO, lawyers will always recommend retaining qualified counsel in court to protect your rights against the police and prosecution.

Winning Strategies for a DWI Defense Lawyer in Springfield MO

Remember, you have not been convicted of a DWI in Springfield, MO – just arrested and charged. Timothy Brown can save you from the permanent and harsh penalties that come along with a Springfield, MO, DWI conviction.

There are many strategies that can help your DWI defense, and a DWI defense lawyer in Springfield, MO will make use of all available options:

• Unreliable Field Sobriety Test

• Inaccurate Breath Test
• Illegal Stop
• Failure to Provide a Speedy Trial

• The Arresting Officers Prior Record

• Inaccurate Blood Test

• Unlicensed Breath Test Operator

• Witnesses

• Failure to Mirandize

• Observation Period Conducted

• Medical and Health Problems

• Weather

• Videos or Dispatch Tapes

• Interfering Substances
• Failure to Record Results of Tests

This is only a small selection of ways that a competent DWI defense lawyer in Springfield, MO, like Timothy Brown will address your case. It’s important to pick up the phone and call his office today to set-up a time to speak about your situation and start planning.

How to Choose the Best DWI Lawyers in Springfield MO

A DWI arrest in Springfield, MO is not an automatic conviction. Working with one of the best DWI lawyers in Springfield MO, who has vast trial experience with DWI cases, gives you a giant advantage.