We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
Being charged with a first offense DWI in Missouri is overwhelming, especially for individuals who have never been arrested before. Clients often contact us worried about jail, their driver’s license, employment consequences, and the long-term impact of a criminal record.
A first offense DWI is serious, but outcomes are not automatic. The result depends on the facts, the evidence, the jurisdiction, and how the case is handled from the beginning under RSMo §§ 577.001 and 577.010.
Kissell Law Group has more than 17 years of experience defending DWI cases statewide and has helped over 2,100 clients navigate this process with clarity and confidence.
Outcomes vary significantly by county, judge, prosecutor, and the specific facts of each case.
A first offense DWI is classified as a Class B misdemeanor under RSMo § 577.010. While the statute outlines potential penalties, those penalties are not imposed automatically.
The State must prove:
Each of these elements is subject to challenge.
The driver license case is separate from the criminal case. Deadlines begin immediately after arrest, not at your first court date.
Failure to act within statutory timelines under RSMo §§ 302.505 and 577.041 can result in automatic suspension regardless of what happens in court.
Certain BAC levels trigger enhanced sentencing provisions under RSMo § 577.023 if a conviction is entered. Avoiding a conviction, when legally possible, can prevent mandatory penalties.
Determining whether this is achievable requires careful review of the evidence, the jurisdiction, and how the case is charged and prosecuted.
A Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS) may allow a person to avoid a criminal conviction if probation is successfully completed. SIS availability in first offense DWI cases depends on:
This determination is governed by RSMo § 577.023 and varies widely across Missouri.
Many first offense cases involve:
Effective defense focuses on whether the State can actually meet its burden.
Every case begins with a free consultation. Our staff gathers detailed information on the initial call so the matter can be reviewed accurately. Prospective cases are evaluated internally, including attorney review.
Clients can expect:
We are selective in the cases we take and take representation seriously.
If you or someone you love has been charged with a first offense DWI in Missouri, early decisions matter. License deadlines and charging decisions can affect the outcome long before trial.
Contact Kissell Law Group today to discuss your situation and understand what options may be available.