Missouri Drunk Driving Penalties

Several changes in Missouri drunk driving penalties have been introduced under the new laws and are effective from August 2010. For example, if you get convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC level of 0.15 or more, it will now be considered as a Class A misdemeanor and the court may award you with more severe penalties. For more detailed and more accurate information on what kind of penalties might be applicable in your specific case, you are strongly recommended to consult an experienced Missouri dui attorney. Following is just a general outline on what kind of penalties you can expect if you get convicted for the first, second, or third and subsequent time.

First Dui Conviction In Missouri

The following Missouri drunk driving penalties will be apply if you get convicted in a dui case in this state for the first time.

- Your driving license will be suspended for at least thirty days (mandatory). Even after thirty days of suspension, you will only be able to apply for a restricted license, which will be valid for sixty days. You will be able to get that restricted license provided you get an ignition interlock device (not mandatory) installed in your vehicle, get a proof of insurance by fulfilling the Missouri SR22 insurance requirements, and pay the license reinstatement fee of $45.
- The court will order you to pay a monetary fine of $500
- You must also be ready to spend some time in jail; the maximum imprisonment period can be as high as six months

Second Dui Conviction In Missouri

You will have to face the following Missouri drunk driving penalties for a second conviction.

- Your driving license will be suspended for a period of five years if the second conviction appears within five years of the previous conviction. Otherwise, the license will be suspended for a period of twelve months.
- You will have to wait for at least twelve months before you qualify to apply for a restricted license. In order to get that restricted license, you will have to pay the license reinstatement fee of $45, fulfill the requirements regarding SR 22 insurance, and get an ignition interlock device fitted in all vehicles that are registered in your name.
- You will also have to pay a maximum of $10000 as monetary fine
- Besides that, jail imprisonment is also mandatory for a maximum period of twelve months.

Third Or Subsequent Dui Conviction In Missouri

A third time conviction in a dui case in Missouri attracts the following Missouri drunk driving penalties.

- This time, your driving license will be suspended for ten years. However, you may still be able to qualify for a restricted license if you pay the license reinstatement fee of $45, get an SR-22 insurance, and get an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle.
- Monetary fine can be as high as $5000
- Jail imprisonment period can be as long as four years.