It happened. You were on your way home after having a few drinks when you heard the police siren and saw the flashing lights in your rearview mirror. After the officer approached your window and took your information, they determined you were impaired and charged you with driving while intoxicated (DWI). It is a scary moment, and you may not know what to expect next. Below, our Missouri criminal defense lawyer explains what will happen next, and how to protect your rights.
After charging you with a DWI, the officer will likely take you into custody. This is often the scariest moment for many people. However, there are ways to get out of the situation. You may be able to pay bail, get a bondsman, who is then repaid once your case is closed, or you may even be able to get out using only your signature. Regardless of how you get out of custody, you will have to promise to appear in court.
The officer that arrested you likely took your driver’s license from you at the time of the arrest. They will also give you a small piece of paper that states you can drive for a few days. If you do not take any action at this point, you will lose your driver’s license for at least 30 days. You may even lose it for as long as one year, even if this is your first offense.
A criminal defense lawyer can file a motion with the court so that you can keep your license for a little longer, or that will prevent you from losing it at all. If you are not successful with this motion, you may be eligible for a hardship license that will allow you to drive to school or work.
Your trial will not start the first day you appear in court. You will first attend an arraignment, which only allows the judge to tell you what you have been charged with. A judge will also tell you what the next step is. It is important that you are working with a lawyer who can appear at your arraignment with you. If you do not, simply say “Not guilty” at this point, even if you plan on pleading guilty later.
Before your case goes to trial, the prosecution will likely offer you a plea deal. They may reduce your charges, and the penalties associated with them, in exchange for a guilty plea. Whether or not you accept a deal or go to trial is something you should decide with your criminal defense lawyer.
If you have been charged with a DWI recently, our Missouri criminal defense lawyer can help you prepare for what comes next. Scott A. Hamblin can advise you of the possible defenses available, and use them to give you the best chance of a successful outcome. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
A Jefferson City man faced DUI charges following a field sobriety test. Charges against the defendant were dropped after Scott successfully maintained the client’s claims that the test results were inaccurate. While the client initially appeared to be in a difficult situation, Scott was able to push investigators to determine the sobriety test results as invalid, so the charges were dismissed.
A mother was seeking sole custody of her children following a divorce. The father refused to cooperate, leaving the client in a difficult situation as she felt as though her children didn’t have a voice. Scott recognized her need for an advocate and carefully listened to the children’s wishes, which conclusively helped the client achieve sole custody of her children and protected their best interests.
A client from Fulton was accused of drug possession as a result of a home search. While drug charges may potentially be filed as a Class C felony involving severe consequences, Scott was able to help the client receive a reduced sentence. Ultimately, the client faced significantly smaller penalties compared to the initial charges.
Scott assisted a defendant in a particularly challenging divorce case in which the other spouse was not cooperating. Scott was able to help the client avoid court through an aggressive legal approach to resolve all outstanding disagreements while maintaining the client’s long-term needs.
One client sought legal assistance after an altercation with another individual in Jefferson City. The client was arrested on assault charges despite allegedly not starting the fight. Since an arrest can lead to life-altering penalties such as being terminated from employment and serving jail time, Scott was able to build a solid legal defense in the client’s favor and argued in favor of the client’s innocence.
A grandparent sought visitation rights to his grandchild after the parent tried to block him. Scott takes grandparents’ rights very seriously, and so he devised a strategy to help the grandparent set a visitation schedule. Scott developed a strategy to show that the child’s best interests were fulfilled through the grandparent’s ability to visit the child, helping push the case towards a resolution in the client’s favor.
Scott assisted a client who was injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence. The defendant claimed that the opposing party using their phone at the time of the crash, and Scott emphasized this claim to show that the other driver was at fault for the client’s injuries. The case concluded with the client receiving the necessary compensation for medical bills following a long hospital stay due to injuries.
I cannot say enough good things about Scott Hamblin and his team. From the beginning, Scott was extremely organized, thorough, and realistic. He was always honest with me about my options and what to expect, and he never made promises he couldn't guarantee. At the same time, he was confident, strategic, and fully prepared. Going into trial, I knew we had challenges. It was clear the guardian ad litem's position was biased and not favorable to me, and at times, it felt like the odds were stacked against me. However, Scott's preparation, command of the facts, and ability to clearly…
If you are looking for an attorney who always strives to win, Scott is your number one choice. He is here for you and is there to win the case. I believe he has the best of intentions to do the job he is hired for every time. Best of all, he takes pride in his work!! If you are reading this, there is no need to look any further.
Going to court is, without a doubt, the scariest and my stressful thing that I have ever done. All the legalities and unknowns are all you can think about, and having a good attorney to ease some of those worries is essential. From the first day we met Mr. Hamblin, he has been kind, understanding, and patient with us. He was great at listening and giving us options. Also, when needed, he communicated when we were being unreasonable. Honestly, we have all been a little unreasonable when frustrated, but I was glad he communicated that before we went to court.…
This is where I found myself about a year ago – reading Scott Hamblin’s Google reviews and wondering who I should turn to for help. My ex-wife (a former family law attorney) was trying to relocate our two children out of state. I’m not an attorney. I didn’t yet live in Cole County. I read Scott’s bio and his reviews and decided to take a chance. It was one of the best decisions I made during the most difficult year of my life. Scott is a trial attorney, and he is a pro. He set clear expectations about the case,…
When first starting out I wasn't sure who could handle my situation I was in I did some research on Google and found Scott Hamblin and read the reviews I ended up hiring Scott Hamblin and I was in a situation where the Mom was making really bad allegations and alienating me from my Child but in the end Scott Hamblin was a great lawyer he did his job extremely well and was able to get my son back to me I definitely would recommend him to anyone that is in need with any kind of legal or family case.
Attorney Hamblin is extremely professional, kind, and caring. We hired him for a family law case. We won!! He was prepared for the case and did an excellent job. I would highly recommend him. I trust him so much that I’m planning to have him help us with our will next. I deeply appreciate how hard he worked for us.
I was going through a contested divorce case and custody battle. When I hired Scott I felt my world was crashing around me. Scott jumped in and handled the case very professionally and to the point. He argued the facts and made sure that my rights was not violated. I am happy to report that I have my children with me now and could not be happier. Thank you Scott for fighting for me. If I ever need an attorney again, Scott Hamblin will be the one that I am going to call.
I hired Scott in the middle of my 2 yearlong custody modification case. After discussing with Scott about how I felt I did not have an aggressive enough lawyer with my first lawyer for the case, I was fighting against ex-husband, Scott gladly took the case. Scott and Madysn were extremely responsive with questions that I had and, helped me along the way to make the best decisions for my case with my financial situation in mind. Scott left no rock unturned in the trial and was extremely prepared for the case. After a long 2 days' worth of trial,…
Scott was knowledgeable and efficient, expertly guiding us through the process. He took the time to explain every step clearly and made sure we felt informed and confident in our decisions. Beyond his professionalism and attention to detail, Scott was also incredibly kind and personable, which made working with him a genuinely positive experience. His responsiveness and approachable demeanor helped put us at ease throughout. I would highly recommend Scott to anyone in need of legal services.
Scott and his office were so helpful, thorough and professional during a very adversarial divorce. He offers good solid advice. He does not pursue options which will more than likely not yield a good result ( unless the client insists). He strives to give his clients the best results for their money. He's personable but professional. He answers inquiries quickly and clearly. Highly recommend!
For accessible and experienced representation, contact attorney Scott Hamblin today.
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