Have You Been Injured? We're Ready to Fight for You.

Is a DWI a Felony or Misdemeanor in Missouri?

Published on Jan 4, 2017 at 2:10 pm in Criminal Defense.
The Law Office of Mike Campbell has joined forces with Thomas Law Offices as of September 1st, 2020. Click here for details.

Being convicted of a DWI (driving while intoxicated) or DUI (driving under the influence) charge in the state of Missouri is a criminal matter. These charges can be extremely serious and can potentially follow you for the rest of your life if they’re not properly handled. Heavy fees, license suspensions, community service, jail time, and permanent charges on your criminal record are a few of the consequences you may face.

How serious your charges and their consequences are will depend on many factors, but one of the most important is if any previous DWIs or DUIs are on your record. This factor will also determine how your DWI or DUI is categorized. Your first DWI or DUI in Missouri will be categorized as a misdemeanor. If this isn’t your first offense, the rules become slightly more complicated.

Missouri DWI/DUI Offenses: Learn the Facts

  • For your first DUI/DWI offense in the state of Missouri, you will likely be charged with a misdemeanor. Misdemeanors are less severe than felonies and may be able to be expunged from your criminal record after a certain period. In addition, you face up to 6 months of jail time, a 30-day license suspension, fees of up to $500, and/or other penalties.
  • For your second Missouri DUI or DWI, you will likely be charged with a “prior offender” or class “A” misdemeanor. This is a more serious type of misdemeanor and can result in up to 1 year of jail time, fines of up to $1,000, a license revocation of up to a year, and/or additional penalties.
  • For three or more DUI/DWI charges, you will likely be charged with a felony. The type of felony you receive will be classified as a class “D” or “persistent offender” offense. Felonies stay on your criminal record and cannot generally be expunged. Additionally, you may receive up to four years of jail time as well as community service, fines of up to $5,000, one year of license revocation, and/or other types of penalties.

It’s important to note that the above conditions may change given the circumstances of your particular DWI offense or any harm which was caused. If, for example, you were charged with a DWI after causing a car accident which injured an innocent victim, your charges may be significantly more severe. When other individuals or property becomes damaged, extra jail time may additionally be included.

Whether you’re eligible to expunge your misdemeanor and/or receive a less severe sentence will also depend on the nature of your charges and if any injuries or property damage resulted. To find out if either is possible or to find out if reinstating your driver’s license ahead of time is an option, you will need to speak to a criminal defense lawyer.

Thomas Law Offices has skilled DWI lawyers and criminal defense lawyers who can answer any questions you may have if you’ve been charged or convicted of a DWI/DUI misdemeanor or felony. If you’ve recently been charged convicted and believe you deserve a less severe sentence, your time to act is running out. Contact Thomas Law Offices today to learn more.

We recently ran a tremendously successful New Year’s Eve campaign to help Columbia drivers get home safely after ringing in 2017 and avoid getting behind the wheel while drunk. We know the implications of drunk driving. We can help you recover from a DWI and turn your life around.

Free Case Evaluation

At Thomas Law Offices, our personal injury attorneys recognize that our potential clients are likely going through some of the most difficult times of their lives. We don't want you to have to worry about paying out of pocket for legal advice when you're just starting to learn your legal rights and options. That's why we provide free case evaluations. We'll offer our expert advice about your potential case and walk you through how we can help you.

Call us or fill out the form below to tell us about your potential case and a personal injury lawyer will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Meet Our Founder

Tad Thomas - Trial Lawyer

Tad Thomas

Managing Partner

Tad Thomas has dedicated his practice to representing plaintiffs in various types of civil litigation, including personal injury, business litigation, class actions, and multi-district litigation.

After graduating with his law degree in 2000 from Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, Mr. Thomas immediately opened his own private practice and began representing injury victims.

In 2011, Thomas Law Offices was established in Louisville, Kentucky. Over the past decade, Mr. Thomas has expanded his firm and now has offices in three additional locations: Cincinnati, Ohio, Columbia, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. He is also a frequent lecturer on topics like trial skills and ethics and technology.

Legal & Firm News

CDC Warns of Drug-Resistant Fungal Infection in Hospitals

If the height of the pandemic a few years ago used to make you fear heading to the hospital when in need of urgent medical aid, then the latest reports, like this article published by CBS News, regarding a drug-resistant fungal infection caused by Candida auris plaguing hospitals and nursing homes are unlikely to help […]

Read More

Injured Missourians May Be Eligible for Compensation From Missouri Victims’ Fund

There is good news for victims of negligence who have been unable to obtain the financial award they deserve—injured Missourians may be eligible for compensation from the Missouri Tort Victims’ Compensation Fund. Our team of personal injury attorneys at Thomas Law Offices is currently helping clients obtain compensation through this vital, yet often overlooked, state-funded […]

Read More

What Is Breach of Duty?

In almost every facet of our daily lives, we encounter situations in which one individual owes a duty of care to another. When someone violates their duty of care, it is considered a breach. This breach does not always cause harm, but when it does, the victim may deal with extensive injuries, costly medical bills, […]

Read More
Tad Thomas on The National Crime Victim Bar Association
National Civil Justice Institute - Trustee
Tad Thomas on Lawyer Minds
Tad Thomas on American Association for Justice
Southern Trial Lawyers Association
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Ohio Association for Justice
Kentucky Justice Association
Fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America
Martindale Hubbell Preeminent
2021 Public Justice Member
AAJ Masters of Trial Law: Champion