Experienced DUI/DWI Attorneys in St. Louis, Missouri with over 30 Years of Practice

If you have been charged with a DWI or DUI in St. Louis or St. Charles County, it is important to hire a lawyer to help you navigate the legal system. Having an experienced lawyer can help you avoid serious consequences and protect your rights.

A DWI has criminal and collateral consequences, meaning that it could go on your criminal record and also affect other parts of your life including your driving privileges, your insurance, and even your work.

James Krupp

James Krupp

James Krupp, with his 30 years of experience in personal injury, business litigation, traffic cases, workers' compensation, and criminal matters, has the expertise to effectively represent you in your DWI or DUI case. As a lifelong St. Louis resident, James understands the local legal landscape and has the connections to build a strong defense on your behalf. His dedication to helping clients achieve the best possible outcomes has garnered him many positive testimonials from satisfied clients.

As a trial attorney, James Krupp's extensive experience in the courtroom means he knows how to navigate the complexities of DWI and DUI cases. His history of success in helping clients avoid serious consequences and protect their rights makes him a strong choice for your legal representation. With his background in personal injury, James is also adept at handling cases where a DWI or DUI charge may have led to an accident or injury.

Furthermore, James Krupp's passion for helping people extends beyond his legal practice, as evidenced by his involvement in lawyer radio call-in programs. This demonstrates his commitment to not only providing legal assistance but also sharing valuable information and advice with the community. By choosing James Krupp as your attorney, you are ensuring that your case is in the hands of someone who genuinely cares about your well-being and the outcome of your case.

Ryan Krupp

Ryan Krupp

Ryan Krupp's background in both personal injury and criminal defense law, as well as his experience working as a prosecutor in Jackson County and Johnson County, makes him an excellent choice for representing you in your DWI or DUI case. His knowledge of the legal system from both sides allows him to build a comprehensive and strategic defense for his clients. Additionally, Ryan's success in the courtroom, as demonstrated by his numerous case dismissals and favorable outcomes, showcases his ability to effectively advocate for his clients.

As an alumnus of Marquette High School and Missouri Baptist University, where he played men's soccer and earned several honors, Ryan Krupp has a winning mindset that translates to his legal practice. His passion for justice and helping people drives him to provide the best possible representation for his clients. Ryan's involvement in numerous professional affiliations, including the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL), further demonstrates his dedication to staying current with legal trends and best practices in criminal defense.

Ryan Krupp's recognition by the Order of the Barristers and his commitment to education, serving as an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Missouri Baptist University, prove that he is a respected and knowledgeable legal expert. When you choose Ryan as your attorney, you are entrusting your case to someone with a proven track record of success and a passion for justice. Don't hesitate to contact Krupp Law Firm and let Ryan's expertise work for you in your DWI or DUI case.

With the combined experience and unique values of James Krupp and Ryan Krupp, the Krupp Law Firm is an excellent choice for your legal representation in your DWI or DUI case. Their commitment to justice, understanding of the local legal landscape, and proven success in the courtroom make them a formidable team. Don't wait to contact the Krupp Law Firm to ensure that your rights are protected and you have the best possible defense in your DWI or DUI case in St. Louis or St. Charles County.

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Ryan J. Krupp
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Don’t hesitate to contact a St. Louis DWI lawyer at the Krupp Law Firm as some aspects of a DWI have time restrictions that can greatly affect how your case proceeds. If you want to know more about DUI DWI Law in St. Louis and St. Charles, here you will find the answers to some of the top 10 most frequently asked questions on the topic.

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

DWI is an acronym which stands for Driving While Intoxicated. In Missouri, a person commits the offense of driving while intoxicated if he or she operates a vehicle while in an intoxicated condition. “Driving” means physically driving or operating a vehicle or vessel and the term “intoxicated” simply means when the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or drug, or any combination thereof. Thus, a person may be convicted of a DWI in St. Louis or St. Charles county if they are physically driving or operating a vehicle or vessel while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or drug, or any combination thereof.

In Missouri, there is a separate DWI related charge called:

Driving with excessive blood alcohol content.

If you are facing an arrest for driving while intoxicated (DWI) or another alcohol-related offense, it is important to understand the legal limits of alcohol.

As a criminal defense lawyer, I can tell you that each state has different laws and regulations regarding DWI, DUI, and OWI. In Missouri, a person is considered legally drunk when their blood alcohol content (BAC) reaches 0.08%.

If an individual’s BAC goes above this limit, they may be charged with DWI or another offense related to impaired driving. It is also important to note that certain groups like commercial drivers or those under 21 years old may have stricter standards than other individuals due to their special status within society.

For example, Missouri requires commercial drivers to maintain a BAC below 0.04%, whereas individuals aged 21-24 must remain below 0.02%.

What Are the Different Types of DWI Offenses?

In Missouri there are two primary DWI-related offenses. Driving While Intoxicated and Driving with excessive blood alcohol content. There are levels of severity depending upon a variety of circumstances. The most common circumstances which create a different level of DWI are as follows:

1st DWI

Class B Misdemeanor

Prior Offender

2nd DWI or minor in the vehicle.

Class A Misdemeanor

Persistent Offender

3rd DWI or causes injury to another person.

Class E Felony

Aggravated Offender

4th DWI or causes injury to a law enforcement officer or emergency personnel, or causes serious injury.

Class D Felony

Chronic Offender

5th DWI or serious injury to law enforcement or emergency personnel, causes death to another person.

Class C Felony

Habitual Offender

6th DWI or death to a law enforcement officer or emergency personnel. Death to an individual by leaving the highway.

Class B Felony.

Other Circumstances

There are other circumstances that could lead to a B Felony and even an A-level Felony. Most DWI-related charges which involve the death of another may come with homicide charge implications.

10 Steps of a DWI Arrest

Below is a typical ten step process of a DWI investigation. We'll talk about the specifics of the laws in Missouri and how they relate to a DWI case.

DWI and Insurance Rates

Auto insurance companies take into account many factors when determining how much to charge for coverage, including your driving record. A DWI will show up as a major violation in your motor vehicle report (MVR) and is likely to result in significantly higher premiums. In some cases, insurers may even deny coverage altogether or cancel existing policies after learning of the conviction.

It’s important to note that these penalties don’t just apply in the short term; they can stay with you for years after the incident occurred. Even if you are able to find another insurer willing to cover you at an increased rate, most companies will continue to raise your premium each year until they feel comfortable enough with your driving history again—which could take many years.

Not only do these higher rates make it difficult for people convicted of a DWI offense to keep their vehicles insured adequately, but they also add significant financial strain during an already stressful time period. For this reason, I advise all of my clients who have been charged with a DWI offense not just to consider their legal options carefully but also to speak with an experienced auto insurance agent about what steps they need to take in order to ensure adequate coverage moving forward without breaking their budget.

The Difference Between DUI, OWI, and a DWI

Typically, a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), a DUI (Driving Under the Influence), and an OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) are different acronyms that amount to the same or a similar description depending on the State or jurisdiction in which the charge is being brought. In Missouri, there is only Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and other related offenses but the terms are often used interchangeably.

DUI charges in St. Louis Missouri

Why Do DWI or DUI Cases Get Dismissed?

This is a commonly asked question but is hard to answer because of the variety of ways that could contribute to the dismissal of a DWI Charge in St. Louis or St. Charles County. Perhaps the most obvious reason for the dismissal of a DWI case is lack of evidence. Evidence typically comes from field sobriety tests, blood alcohol or breathalyzer tests issued by police officers. Other reasons include:

  • Lack of probable cause (where the officer did not have a legally valid reason to pull someone over)
  • A violation of the person’s constitutional rights including the 4th 5th or 6th Amendment of the United States Constitution.
  • Were field sobriety tests or blood alcohol or breathalyzer tests properly and validly administered.

There are a variety of factors that can affect a DWI case. It is important to remember that you have a right against self-incrimination. Thus, you do not have to and SHOULD NOT admit to drinking to a police officer at any time when being suspected of a DWI charge. Instead, you should ask to contact a St. Louis DWI lawyer at the Krupp Law Firm.

Is a DWI a Felony?

In Missouri, a first-time DWI charge is rarely a felony, but as described in the What are the different types of DWI offenses? There are several circumstances that could lead to a felony including multiple DWI offenses most commonly where the person has had multiple DWI convictions or got in an accident in which someone is injured. Most of the time DUI is a Misdemeanor and a repeat offender will receive a Class A Misdemeanor in most circumstances.

Does a DWI Conviction Count as a Criminal Offense?

Yes, in Missouri a DWI does count as a criminal offense. A person may be eligible to get a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) under some circumstances which would help eliminate the conviction from their criminal record, although in all likelihood the conviction would still be used against them in future DWI proceedings. If you are charged with a DWI in St. Louis or St. Charles.

Contact a St. Louis DWI lawyer at the Krupp Law Firm to find out how to best proceed with your case.

How Long After Smoking Marijuana Can I Drive?

Smoking marijuana and driving can lead to a DWI. Nobody should smoke marijuana and then drive as it would put themselves and others in a potentially hazardous situation. With that being said, there is no known limit of time in which marijuana dissipates from one’s system in a way that it can be identified whether someone is intoxicated. It is important to remember that in addition to your level of intoxication both field sobriety tests and your word can be used against you in court. You don’t have to participate in either.

If you find yourself in a sticky situation involving a potential DWI based on marijuana consumption you should contact a St. Louis DWI lawyer at Krupp Law Firm for advice.

Breathalyzer Test

Is It Possible To Beat a Breathalyzer Test?

Yes, oftentimes the best possible way to beat a breathalyzer test is by not taking one but that will likely come with consequences. Preliminary breath tests administered before an arrest are typically classified as inadmissible to show intoxication but admissible to show probable cause. Even if they aren’t so reliable, a well-calibrated and properly administered breath test administered post-arrest by machine is considered more reliable and may be used against you at court.

If you find yourself facing down a potential breath test you should contact a St. Louis DWI Lawyer at the Krupp Law Firm.

Should I Blow?

This is one of the most common and most complicated questions in DWI Law. In Missouri, a DWI situation comes with two aspects the criminal side and the driver's license side (DOR). If you refuse to blow your license will be revoked automatically and you will have 30 days from the time of the refusal to file a petition for review. However, if you refuse to take a breath test it could be better for your criminal case. The best you think can do is use your right to contact a St. Louis DWI lawyer at the Krupp Law Firm.

Penalties for a DUI / DWI

From a criminal standpoint, the punishment for a DWI follows the typical scale under Missouri Law but can additional consequences depending on your blood alcohol content at the time you blow in a breathalyzer if you choose to do so. You may also lose your driver’s license privileges. For an overview of criminal consequences see the chart below. To better understand the consequences specific to your case, contact a St. Louis DWI Lawyer at the Krupp Law Firm.

Krupp Law Firm Can Help Your St. Louis DWI / DUI.

The Krupp law firm can help you with your DWI/DUI case in St. Louis or St. Charles County. We are able to analyze the evidence, determining what factors are most important for your case. We provide skillful representation and knowledgeable legal advice from years of experience to ensure that you get the best result in your case. Contact a St. Louis DWI Lawyer at the Krupp Law Firm for a consultation today.

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