St. Louis DWI Defense

DWI Defense in Missouri

Being charged with a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) is a serious matter. Even a first-time misdemeanor DWI conviction in Missouri carries consequences including fines, court costs, a license suspension, increased insurance rates, and a criminal record that can affect employment and housing opportunities.

The goal of effective DWI defense is not just to fight the charge — it's to minimize the impact on your life. Attorney Baro works to explore every available option, from examining the stop and arrest procedures to negotiating for an amended charge or a suspended sentence that protects your driving privileges and your record.

Cases We Handle

What Happens After a DWI Arrest in Missouri

When you're arrested for DWI in Missouri, two separate legal processes begin simultaneously: the criminal case in court, and the administrative action by the Missouri Department of Revenue against your driver's license.

License suspension: If you took a breath test and failed (BAC .08 or above), or if you refused the test, the arresting officer may have taken your driver's license and given you a 15-day temporary driving permit. You have 15 days from the date of arrest to request an administrative hearing to contest the suspension — otherwise the suspension becomes automatic. Call us immediately if you've recently been arrested so we can protect your driving privileges.

Criminal case: The criminal charge goes through the appropriate court — either a municipal court (if it was an ordinance violation) or the circuit court (if it's a state misdemeanor). Attorney Baro will review the evidence, examine the traffic stop, breath test procedure, field sobriety tests, and all other aspects of your case to identify potential defenses or mitigating factors.

Potential Outcomes We Work Toward

• Amendment to a lesser charge — In some cases, we may be able to negotiate a plea to a lesser charge such as "careless and imprudent driving," which carries significantly less severe consequences.
• Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS) — With a successful SIS, you are placed on probation. Complete the probationary period with no additional violations and the conviction is not reported to the state. This protects your driving record and criminal history.
• Conditional driving privilege — In cases involving license suspension, we may be able to obtain a limited driving privilege for work, school, or essential activities during the suspension period.
• Dismissal — If there are substantial defects in the stop, arrest, or evidence, dismissal may be possible.