When Should You Hire a St. Louis DUI Lawyer

If you have been arrested for a St. Louis DUI, finding a lawyer should be one of the first things you think about. Drunk driving convictions can have very serious consequences, and you will need someone on your side to help you through the process and make sure you get the best possible outcome.

But while you want to act quickly, preferably before any upcoming court dates, you also want to think carefully about the St. Louis drunk driving lawyer you hire. You need to find one who has experience with the law, understands the court systems, charges reasonable fees and who will stand by you and offer you good advice.

Missouri Drunk Driving Laws

Missouri DWI laws take drunk driving offenses very seriously. With a first drunk driving conviction, you may be facing six months in jail, a $500 fine and a 30-day suspension of your driver’s license. A third DUI conviction can mean up to four years in jail, a $5,000 fine and a 10-year license suspension.

In Missouri, once a notice of suspension or revocation of your license is issued, you have 15 days to request an administrative hearing. So as soon as you can after your arrest, you should begin looking for St. Louis DUI attorneys to advise you about your next steps.

Finding a Lawyer for Your St. Louis DUI

You can start the search process by asking people you know for a recommendation. If you don’t know anyone who can suggest a St. Louis drunk driving lawyer, you can use this site to connect with one. Once you provide a few pieces of information, we will give you the name of an attorney or attorneys who have experience with drunk driving cases. The attorney will contact you within two business days, or you can reach out immediately.

Meeting with Drunk Driving Lawyers

Once you have the name or names of attorneys, you can begin meeting with them. The initial consultation is your chance to get to know the attorneys, explain your case and get a feel for which lawyer is the right one to hire.

Prepare for the meeting by bringing information about your arrest, such as the police report and any court documents. If you have had previous drunk driving arrests, you will need to tell the lawyer about those as well.

During the meeting, ask the attorney about his experience with St. Louis DUI cases. Find out how often he has appeared in court with clients who have been in situations like yours. Ask about the type and amount of fees he charges. Have the attorney explain your different options and what strategies he might suggest for your case.

This is also your chance to get to know the attorney. Try to get a sense about whether you like and trust this person and whether you want him to represent you in court.

Once you have gone through these steps, you can start deciding which one to hire.

A drunk driving conviction can have a significant impact on your life. You need to find an attorney you can trust as soon as possible who can serve as your advisor and advocate.