Small disclaimer: No DWI case is actually “typical,” all figures are estimates, and every case is unique.
What Are the Costs of a First-Time DWI in Missouri?
A typical first-time DWI in Missouri is classified under Missouri DWI laws as a Class B Misdemeanor, which carries up to $1,000 in penalties and a jail sentence of up to 6 months.
However, a lawyer might be able to work out a different outcome where a first-time criminal can avoid a conviction and jail term in exchange for probation.
Remember that if you are sentenced to probation in Missouri for a DWI, the supervising probation agency will probably demand payment.
There will also be court costs associated with your case that must be paid. These usually cost $100 or more.
Courts usually require first-time DWI offenders to be placed on probation for two years. The offender is responsible for paying private probation office supervision fees, which could cost several hundred dollars.
The Department of Revenue might require you to complete the Substance Abuse Traffic Offender’s Program. The Offender Education Program is a 10-hour educational course that is largely for first-time offenders. Its purpose is to help participants make better decisions regarding drinking and driving in order to prevent recurrent violations. The assessment screening fee currently costs $375.
There is a weekend intervention program for people with a prior DWI or whose screening results suggest a drug or alcohol problem. The program consists of 20 hours of education and counseling on-site, typically from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. It will run you about $475.
A 50-hour outpatient counseling program, the Clinical Intervention Program, addresses major dependency difficulties. It often takes six weeks and entails extensive group and individual counseling. The price is roughly $1,000.
For those who have committed previous drunk driving offenses, there is a program for serious and repeat offenders. It is an outpatient program with a minimum of 90 days and 75 hours of therapy. $1,500 is the price.
Most of these programs have income-based fees, so if you are not a high earner, you won’t be required to pay the full cost.
A Victims Impact Panel is also a typical requirement of probation. This might cost you around $50.
Other DWI Case Costs
The court might require you to wear a SCRAM device (an alcohol-monitoring device) on your ankle. This costs roughly $12 per day to use.
The court may also require you to install an Ignition Interlock Device on your vehicle, which can cost $75 or more to use per month.
You might be required to pay a bond to get out of DUI jail time in Missouri. Your car might be towed and stored. Recovery fees and bail bonds add to the costs of a DWI.
Some people may be ordered to perform community service, which could cause them to miss time at work.
If you are arrested for driving drunk in Missouri, you will frequently be asked to “pay” the arresting officer for the stop. Normally, this recoupment costs $100 to $200. The majority of the expense is for the officer’s time, with a few extras like a booking fee or a price to use the breathalyzer or other field sobriety tests thrown in.
Non-Criminal Costs
Intangible costs that a drunk driving charge will have on a person, in addition to the criminal consequences, include:
- Lost wages as a result of court appearances or jail time
- Increased insurance rates for
- If your driver’s license was suspended due to a DWI arrest in Missouri, insurance rates would frequently increase
- License suspension for 90 days to a year
- Transportation expenses if your license is suspended
Attorney Fees
DWI charges in Missouri are a serious offense. You shouldn’t handle DWI charges on your own. A knowledgeable and experienced Kansas City DWI attorney should be consulted by anyone who has been charged with a DWI for alcohol or drugs.
You might be wondering how much a DWI lawyer costs for a first-offense DWI in Missouri. Attorney fees must obviously be considered as part of the cost of a DWI Missouri first offense. Contact the Law Office of Benjamin Arnold for additional details about DWI first offenses in Missouri.
