DWI Lawyers in Missouri and Southern Illinois

Our results speak for themselves

Our lawyers have represented thousands of people who were facing criminal charges for DWI and we have a track record of success that speaks for itself. The members of our legal team have helped people charged with all levels of DWI charges, from misdemeanors to serious felonies, and have developed a reputation for success in courts throughout the State of Missouri.

When a client comes to us, we find that they oftentimes want to know about our:

• Experience – Our lawyers have over 150 years of combined legal experience. Two of our lawyers are former assistant prosecuting attorneys who are in the unique position of having once prosecuted people charged with Driving While Intoxicated. ALL of the lawyers on our DWI team have handled hundreds of criminal cases and have developed a great deal of knowledge in this complex area of law.
• Focus on Results – We approach every case as if it were our own. You will never be just another name on a file. We work with you to identify your goals and will work tirelessly to help you achieve them throughout the court process.
• Communication with our clients – When you hire our law firm, you will be involved in every step of the process. At some law firms, you will be stuck dealing with a paralegal. At The Lampin Law Firm, we believe that you should always be able to speak to an attorney. If we are not available we strive to return your phone call the same day.
• Availability to our clients – Sometimes you will need to speak with your attorney outside of normal business hours. Our clients have their attorney’s cell phone numbers and are able to reach them at any time of the day.

What to do if you’ve been pulled over and charged with a DWI/DUI in St. Charles, MO:

In almost every DWI case, the arresting officer attempts to obtain test results that measure the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Although an officer has discretion to ask for a blood or urine test, the most common BAC test requested by law enforcement is a breath test. If the person suspected of DWI refuses to provide a sample, the police officer has the legal authority to pursue a warrant for a blood test. This does not necessarily mean that the police officer will go through the process of obtaining a search warrant, but it is important to understand that he/she may do so. In the event that the officer obtains a warrant for your blood after you initially refused to take the test you may find yourself in a situation where you are facing two separate license suspensions (one for the initial refusal and a second for having a BAC over .08).

Many DWI cases that our firm encounters involve blood or breath test results.

In cases where a blood or breath sample was obtained, our DWI lawyers use their knowledge and years of experience to challenge the results of these tests. We know what to look for in challenging the validity of these BAC tests including:

1. if the tests were performed properly. The officer performing the chemical test must adhere to a set of strict procedures when administering the breath test. The same is true if a blood or urine sample was obtained.
2. if the person doing the tests had the proper permits as required by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Not every police officer has the proper permit required to administer a blood alcohol test.
3. if the breath test machine was properly calibrated. Just because the breathalyzer says that you are over the legal limit does not mean that the result is accurate.
4. if the proper procedures were followed. Our lawyers always attempt to obtain a copy of the video from your arrest as well as the administration of the breath test. This enables us to verify whether the proper procedures were followed.

Our experienced attorneys know what to look for and have a track record of successfully challenging chemical test results.

Our strategic approach for handling your Driving While Intoxicated Charge

When you come to the lawyers at The Lampin Law Firm, we take a detail-oriented approach in investigating your DWI case. This starts with examining the initial stop that led to your arrest. A police officer must have probable cause to pull you over and investigate you for driving while intoxicated. The officer cannot make a stop based solely on a “hunch.” Importantly, field sobriety tests (SFSTs) and chemical testing (i.e. blood and breath tests) are almost always fallible, so we are oftentimes able to challenge the accuracy of the procedures and tests used by the police in their investigation.

Should You Blow When Asked To Take a Breathalyzer Test in Missouri?

One of the most common questions that we are asked is whether a person should agree to take a breathalyzer or refuse the test even though they have been told that they will lose their driver’s license for a year. There really is no easy answer to the question, unfortunately. There are simply too many factors involved that make it possible to offer a standard yes or no answer. If you are reading this and you already had to make a decision about whether or not to consent to a test of your BAC, there is no going back in time. However, knowing your rights and having lawyers who will fight for them is critical.

You Have The Right to Refuse Chemical Breath & Blood Tests

As a Missouri driver, you have the right to refuse a chemical BAC test. However, under our State’s Implied Consent Law, you may be punished for refusing a blood or breath test by having your license revoked. In fact, it is a requirement that you be told of the consequences of refusing to submit to the BAC test. By refusing the test, the officer will typically seize your driver’s license and issue you a temporary permit. At this point, you have as few as 15 days to protect your rights and appeal the suspension. If you do not request a hearing in this time, your license could be automatically suspended for an entire year.

It is possible to successfully challenge this evidence in your case and we can help. The Lampin Law Firm will aggressively attack the validity of these tests and fight to preserve your rights. Let our reputation for success work in your favor.

How to choose the right Missouri DWI lawyer:

It’s not easy to find a good DWI lawyer, and it can be especially difficult if you’re never been in trouble with the law before. But there are ways that you can get help finding an attorney who will provide the best defense for your situation. One way is to ask people whom you know, including family members and friends, about their experience with lawyers who handled their cases. Those opinions may come from personal experience or secondhand knowledge; either way they should be helpful as you begin your search for someone qualified to represent you against charges of driving while intoxicated (DWI).

With so many DWI attorneys out there, how do I know which one will really get me the results that I need? The truth of the matter is that no attorney should ever hold themselves out a being the best at any area of law. There are a lot of lawyers that will promise the world but when it comes time to deliver their clients are in for a rude awakening. At The Lampin Law Firm, we give our clients an honest assessment of their case. We always explain the potential risks and likely outcomes to ensure our clients understand all sides of an issue before moving forward with a decision. We never promise what we can’t deliver.