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In the state of Missouri, drivers are prohibited from driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Once you're arrested for alleged drunk driving, you must pass through the criminal justice system to determine whether you're guilty or not.

If you have made the tough decision to fight your drunk driving charge, you need to understand what to expect at your upcoming DWI trial. After the arraignment hearing and pre-trial negotiations, the next step in the criminal justice process is a trial. The success of your trial in part depends on how well you prepare in advance.

There are few things as stressful as seeing the red and blue lights of a cop car behind you while driving and realizing they’re pulling you over. This can happen for several reasons, but when you’re being pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), you’ll need to take it very seriously and remain in compliance not only with the arresting officer but with the legal processes you’ll have to go through after the DUI is issued.

Being charged with a DWI can be frightening, but it’s important to understand the charges and work with a skilled criminal defense attorney who can help you navigate DWI laws. If you’ve been charged with a DWI in Missouri, call me, Matt Guilfoil, at Guilfoil Law Group in Kansas City.

If you have been pulled over and subjected to a breathalyzer test, you may be surprised that your reading indicates a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) level above the legal limit, even if you weren’t drinking.

Blood alcohol content, commonly referred to as BAC, is the measurement of the amount of alcohol present in a person’s bloodstream. For those arrested and charged with a DUI, BAC levels can significantly impact how the case is handled.

You may have heard the term “Ambien defense” on TV, or read about it on the news. This term is as reference to the drug causing a person to act in a way they otherwise wouldn’t.

If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence, you need to understand how serious this charge is and the potential penalties you’ll face if convicted. However, just because you were charged with a crime doesn’t mean you’ll be found guilty by a judge. Any DUI charge is worth fighting, but this should only be done along with the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Your lawyer can help you tackle questions like, “Can my DUI charge be dismissed?” or “Can my DUI charge be expunged?”

Missouri doesn’t have a vehicular manslaughter statute that applies to driving-related unlawful killings. However, the driver can be charged with second-degree or first-degree manslaughter or a driving-while-impaired offense that results in the death of someone.

Getting pulled over for a DWI (or DUI) can happen at any moment when you are on the road.