St. Louis Felony DWI Lawyers

When is a DWI a Felony in Missouri?

A felony DWI conviction will result in extremely serious legal penalties, including substantial fines, prison time, the loss of your driver’s license, an inability to legally own a firearm, and other serious consequences. For these reasons, it is extremely important for anyone accused of DWI to make sure they do everything possible to protect their legal rights. To discuss your case with one of our St. Louis felony DWI defense lawyers, contact Muhlenkamp & Bernsen, Attorneys at Law today to schedule an appointment.

Call (314) 347-3313 now or contact us online for a free consultation about protecting your future.

Multiple DWI Offenses

While even a first-time drunk driving incident in Missouri is a serious legal matter, the potential consequences repeat offenders escalate extremely quickly. After your first two DWIs, Missouri statute requires that you serve a mandatory jail sentence or complete an involved, time-consuming treatment court program. A DWI conviction also triggers a point suspension or revocation, which will result in the loss of your driver’s license.

What are the Penalties for a Felony DWI?

The penalties that can accompany a felony DWI conviction in Missouri depend on the number of previous findings of guilt/convictions a person has, along with whether there were any aggravating factors present in the situation that resulted in their arrest.

Here are some of the ways a person can end up with a felony DWI conviction under Missouri law:

• Class E Felony – DWI while a persistent offender (two or more prior DWIs), or when acting with criminal negligence to cause physical injury to another person. A class E felony could result in up to four years in prison. A minimum of 30 days in jail is required by statute unless 60 hours of Alternative Community Service or Treatment Court is completed.
• Class D Felony – DWI while an aggravated offender (three or more prior DWIs), when acting with criminal negligence to cause physical injury to a law enforcement officer or emergency personnel, or when acting with criminal negligence to cause serious physical injury to another person. A class D felony is punishable by up to seven years in prison. A minimum of 60 days in jail is required by statute unless Treatment Court is completed.
• Class C Felony – DWI while a chronic offender (four or more prior DWIs), when acting with criminal negligence to cause serious physical injury to a law enforcement officer or emergency personnel, or when acting with criminal negligence to cause the death of another person. People who are convicted of a class C felony case face between 3 and 10 years in prison, and a minimum of 2 years in prison is required to be served unless Treatment Court is completed.
• Class B Felony – DWI while a habitual offender (five or more prior DWIs), or when acting with criminal negligence to cause the death of a law enforcement officer or emergency personnel. A class B felony is punishable by a prison term of 5 to 15 years. An offender must serve 85 percent of their prison term by statute.
• Class A Felony – DWI that results in the death of a person not in their vehicle, that causes the death of two or more people, or that involves a BAC in excess of .18 percent when causing the death of another person. A second class B DWI can also be charged as a class A felony, resulting in 10 to 30 years in prison, or life imprisonment.

You can find other DWI/DUI resources below:

• Roadside Breathalyzers vs Police Station Test
• Probable Cause in a Missouri DWI/DUI Case

Contact a Felony DWI Defense Attorney in St. Louis

If you have are facing a felony DWI case, it is critical to retain legal counsel as soon as possible. The representation of an attorney experienced in felony DWI defense will have a significant impact on the way the case is resolved and may be able to help you avoid the most serious consequences.

Call (314) 347-3313 now to schedule your free consultation.