Saint Louis Drunk Driving Law

An important difference from Missouri statutes

It is essential to be represented by an attorney when you face drunk driving charges. This is because while State of Missouri statutes regarding DUI and alcohol-related activities are considered lenient, the rules relative to Saint Louis drunk driving are more stringent. When you cross the border into the city, police vigilance and enforcement as well as penalties can change dramatically.

Most pointedly, this occurs with open container laws. The Saint Louis drunk driving law stipulates that open containers of alcoholic beverages are not permitted in automotive vehicles. Only in St. Louis and Kansas City does such prohibition apply. Drunk driving lawyers in Saint Louis frequently work with drivers from elsewhere in the state who are unaware of the law, which applies to both drivers and passengers.

Some other reasons to work with drunk driving lawyers

Aside from open container rules, some other reasons to work with skilled drunk driving lawyers in Saint Louis to manage a drunk driving charge include the following:

• No judgments: Attorneys experienced with Saint Louis drunk driving laws take a more sympathetic view and approach to your charges. Understandably, you need to protect your future. Mistakes happen—correcting those mistakes is the goal of your lawyer.

• Procedural errors occur: Law enforcement officials can make mistakes. So can prosecutors. Legal procedures are meant to ensure balanced, fair and just enforcement of the law. If compromised, due process is not served. Experienced Saint Louis drunk driving lawyers are familiar with misapplied procedures.

• Weighty penalties: A first offense of driving while intoxicated can result in six months of imprisonment, fines and court costs of at least $600 and up to a 60 day suspension of driving privileges. Second offenses can double the jail time, double the fine and lead to revocation of driving privileges for up to five years. Third and subsequent convictions are even more severe.

What open container laws mean in St. Louis

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration promotes open container laws, which provides financial incentives to state-level governments to prohibit the possession of open alcoholic beverage containers inside the passenger compartment of cars while those vehicles are operating on public roadways. Drunk driving in Saint Louis is subject to the constraints of federal law, including the legal limit of .08 percent blood alcohol content.

However, Missouri is one of eight states that allow passengers to consume alcohol while driving—again, in contrast to the local drunk driving law in Saint Louis that forbids it.

Get aggressive legal defense for your DUI or DWI case

Our law firm has the necessary experience to pursue the best possible result in your DUI or DWI case. For a free consultation with a St. Louis criminal defense lawyer about your traffic or drunk driving charges, call The Welby Law Firm, LLC at 314-732-4285, or contact us online.