St. Louis DWI Lawyer

Nationally Recognized Drunk Driving Defense

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges are very serious, whether it is a first-time offense or a subsequent one. A conviction threatens:

• Your freedom
• Your job
• Your driver’s license

Defending a DWI charge is complicated, and not every attorney has the skills and experience needed to thoroughly evaluate your case. At Muhlenkamp & Bernsen, Attorneys at Law, we use our extensive experience in both prosecuting and defending these cases to help you fight not only the DWI charge but also the loss of your driving privilege.

Schedule a free consultation with St. Louis DWI lawyers by calling (314) 347-3313 now or contacting our firm online.

DWI Penalties in Missouri

As with most charges, the penalties for DWI are determined by the specific circumstances of the case. If convicted of driving while intoxicated you could face jail time, heavy fines, as well as increased insurance rates and possible substance abuse treatment.

1st-Offense DWI in Missouri

If convicted of your first DWI, you could face penalties that include:

• Up to 6-months in jail
• Up to $1,000 in fines
• A 90-day license suspension

2nd-Offense DWI in Missouri

If you are convicted of a second DWI, you could face:

• Up to 1-year in jail
• Up to $2,000 in fines
• A 5-year license suspension

3rd-Offense DWI in Missouri

If you are convicted of a third DWI, you could face felony charges with penalties that include:

• Up to 4-years in jail
• Up to $10,000 in fines
• A 10-year license suspension
• Mandatory Ignition Interlock Device (IID)

Certified in Field Sobriety Testing

We are certified in Field Sobriety Testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). We have the same training as law enforcement.

As your advocate, we will review all of the evidence, including:

• Traffic stops
• Road and weather conditions
• Administration of field sobriety tests
• Dash cam video
• The instrument(s) used to test your breath
• The validity of the blood test
• Any alleged refusal to test

Our firm can use experience gleaned from years of prosecuting and defending DWIs to protect your freedom and your driver's license.

Advanced Level Training from the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys

One of our St. Louis DWI lawyers, Attorney Tory Bernsen, has obtained advanced level training on how to win DUI cases by using a driver’s internal body clock to prove that our client wasn’t impaired when the arresting officer pulled him/her over. This training was provided by the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys and the information used was compiled from judges, DWI prosecutors, former police officers, and criminal defense lawyers.

Both the One Leg Stand Test and the Modified Romberg Balance Test assess driver’s internal body clock. If a driver’s clock is within +/- five seconds out of 30 seconds, a police officer may testify that the driver was not intoxicated when the traffic stop occurred.

After reviewing all the facts of a case, Attorney Bernsen can properly implement this legal defense. There is only a small fraction of attorneys who have the knowledge, training, experience, skills, and resources to resolve and win DWI cases—and she is one of those lawyers by being a member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys.

Experienced DWI Attorneys to Help You Get Your Life Back

DWIs have gotten more serious in recent years. Repeat offenders face more serious charges along with mandatory jail or prison time. A conviction can mean the loss of your job, your family, and your license. When your life is on the line, let us help you get it back.

Our St. Louis DWI attorneys have seen both sides of these cases. Law enforcement is not perfect, and we know where the mistakes are made. Even if they believe they have probable cause, there could still be mistakes in the evidence collected. If you were wrongfully arrested and charged, we can appeal the conviction and loss of driving privilege. If you received a minor in possession charge, we can help.

Alternative Sentencing Options

If DWI court is your best option, you need the experience of St. Louis DWI attorneys who will not just “plead you” to whatever the recommendation is. Let us work for you. Don’t end up on probation, in jail or prison, or without a driver's license because your attorney didn’t know what to look for. This is your life—find out what options you have.

If you have been arrested for DWI, whether you submitted to a breath test or refused a breath test, please read your paperwork thoroughly and contact an attorney immediately to make sure that you don’t miss a filing deadline and that we can do everything possible to protect your driving privilege.

Get started now by contacting our DWI lawyers in St. Louis at (314) 347-3313.