Facing Charges? Act Fast. Call Me At 314-492-8840

15 Day Warning — You may have only 15 days from your arrest to challenge the suspension of your driver’s license!

314-492-8840
Protecting Your Rights And Freedom

Clayton Defense Attorney Representing You Throughout The DWI Court Process

A driving while intoxicated (DWI) arrest does not stop after an encounter with Missouri law enforcement. You have to face multiple steps, especially since Missouri has a two-prong procedure when handling DWI cases.

I, Carl J. Civella of The Civella Law Firm, am prepared to be your counsel throughout the DWI court process. I have served as a prosecutor, which made me familiar with how they think and approach DWI offenders. You can expect me to leverage this familiarity in anticipating the prosecutor’s moves and counter their attacks with solid defense strategies.

Facing The Administrative Process After An Arrest

The Department of Revenue (DOR) handles administrative actions that arise based on your blood alcohol content (BAC). If your BAC result is .08% or higher, the law enforcement officer takes your physical license and gives you a 15-day temporary driving permit with a Notice of Suspension or Revocation. Within 15 days from receiving the permit, you must request an administrative hearing with the DOR.

If this is your first DWI and you have a clean driving record, you may face a 90-day suspension and be eligible for a Restricted Driving Privilege (RDP). If you have prior offenses within five years, you will face a one-year revocation. Meanwhile, a refusal automatically leads to a one-year revocation of your driving privilege.

What Happens During A DWI Case Process

The municipal courts in St. Charles County that are heavy DWI arrest areas are: City of St. Peters, City of O’Fallon and the City of St. Charles. These courts generally process a DWI case with these steps:

  • DWI arraignment: Formal reading of charges and entering a plea
  • Discovery: A review of police reports, bodycam footage, BAC maintenance logs and breath test results
  • DWI pretrial hearing: Filing motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence or challenging the stop
  • Resolution: The case moves to a plea bargain, dismissal or a DWI trial before a judge or jury.
  • DWI sentencing: Imposition of fines, probation, jail time or mandatory alcohol education programs if convicted

Facing each step can be overwhelming, but I am here as your legal advocate. If anything happens during the DWI process that hurts your case, I will respond immediately and try my best to mitigate it.

Frequently Asked Questions About The DWI Court Process

I answer the common questions about what to expect in DUI or DWI court in Missouri.

What happens at your first DWI court date?

During the first DUI court date, the judge presents your formal charges and allows you to enter a plea. They will also establish bond conditions and announce future dates regarding discovery and a pretrial hearing.

How long does a DWI case take in Missouri?

Generally, a DWI case in Clayton, Missouri, may take from three to nine months to resolve from arrest to final disposition. However, complex situations may extend to a year or more.

I Can Help You Understand Missouri’s DWI Case Process. Call Today.

As soon as you have the chance to call an attorney, dial 314-492-8840 to reach me. If you simply want to learn more about Missouri’s timeline for DWI cases, you can also send an online contact form. I represent clients throughout St. Louis and St. Charles counties, including before municipal courts in the City of St. Peters, the City of O’Fallon, the City of St. Charles and the surrounding areas.