Multiple DWI Offenses and Enhanced Penalties
Because Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges have become a priority for public safety, law enforcement has made it their goal to enforce harsh penalties - which can increase with multiple convictions. This means that if you are arrested for a DWI with prior convictions on your record, you can expect aggressive prosecution and increasingly severe punishment.
What are Enhanced Penalties?
Enhanced penalties are just as the phrase sounds. The penalties multiple DWI offenders face have been made harsher to discourage people from operating vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, especially after they have been convicted of driving while intoxicated or impaired in the past.
The increased sentence enhancements have categorized offenders into four major classifications. They are divided into the following groups: aggravated offenders, chronic offenders, persistent offenders, and prior offenders. Of course, the amount of time a person has been convicted of DWI determines the offender classification and penalties that person would receive.
Generally, multiple DWI offenders can expect:
- Larger fines & fees
- Longer terms of imprisonment
- Additional costs and expenses
- Longer court-ordered classes
Importance of a St. Louis DWI Attorney
Because of these enhanced penalties, multiple DWI offenders may face penalties as severe as felony charges, three years of jail time, and costly fines. For this reason, it is important that a person facing multiple DWI charges contact an experienced DWI attorney as soon as possible.
Multiple DWI charges are not taken lightly. To ensure your rights are protected and that all details are carefully examined so that you are not wrongfully accused, contact a St. Louis DWI attorney from The Hammer Law Firm today. Your future may be at risk. By hiring a seasoned DWI defense lawyer with over 30 years of experience, you can rest assure that even the finest details of your rights are being protected.
Contact a DWI defense attorney today to make sure your rights are protected.