O’Connor Law Blog

Unfortunately, many people who are arrested for driving under the influence don’t see any need to hire a Kansas City DUI lawyer; after all, if you’re guilty, you must face the consequences, right?  Not necessarily.  Whether you are guilty or innocent of the charges, a skilled DUI attorney in Kansas City can frequently have the charges reduced or even completely dismissed, depending upon the circumstances.

Without the expertise of an experienced lawyer, you will almost certainly face the consequences, which are not pleasant.  Jail time, steep monetary fines, drunk driving school, increased auto insurance premiums, a criminal record – these are just a few of the penalties you may face.  While driving under the influence may seem like a minor offense in comparison to others, it is a criminal offense that is taken very seriously today, more so than ever before in history.  A criminal record could mean ruin of your career, or the inability to secure a job.  With every subsequent offense, the punishment becomes more harsh.  It is critical to your reputation, future and career that you consult with a capable Kansas City DUI attorney.

Particularly when it is a first offense, you may have lots of questions.  You’re frightened, perhaps worried about losing a professional license or your driver’s license, what this will do to your family, how it will affect your job or your future, and more.  A compassionate DUI lawyer in Kansas City will answer all of your questions, provide legal guidance and leave no stone unturned in providing you with the best possible legal defense should it become necessary to go to court.

The funny thing, and what most people do not realize, is that an experienced Kansas City DUI attorney has far more knowledge and training in the area of DUI than the police officer who arrests the defendant.  What does this mean to you?  Experienced, competent lawyers who provide those accused with a strong legal defense know that missteps are often taken during an arrest, which could mean that crucial evidence against you may be thrown out.  Breath/blood tests are not always properly handled, or administered correctly.  A police officer may not have had reasonable suspicion to pull you over.  You must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a verdict not always easily reached by prosecutors.

If you or a loved one have been charged with driving under the influence, never assume that you must “pay the piper,” so to speak.  Regardless of your guilt or innocence, it is crucial that you obtain the services of an aggressive Kansas City DUI lawyer who will work diligently to secure a positive outcome on your behalf.

Every experienced Kansas City DUI lawyer knows that individuals convicted on DUI charges face substantial costs, not only in terms of fines but because of the negative impact to various aspects of their lives.  You may face jail time, loss of employment because of a criminal record, and a ruined reputation or career.  If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, it is critical that you speak with a capable DUI attorney in Kansas City right away.

What penalties will you face if convicted on charges of driving under the influence?  It all depends on several factors, including whether it is a first or subsequent offense, extenuating circumstances (such as whether you were involved in an accident), your criminal history and more.  A qualified Kansas City DUI attorney knows that even for a first conviction with no prior record, you could face 48 hours in jail, $750 in fines, have your driver’s license suspended for 30 days and be required to attend alcohol counseling or treatment.  This is a substantial price to pay.  Your lawyer will work to have the charges against you dismissed or reduced.

A second conviction for driving under the influence is considered a Class A misdemeanor.  This means that you will face fines of as much as $1,750, a one year license suspension, alcohol counseling, and 90 days to one year in jail.  You may also be required to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle.  While compassionate Kansas City DUI lawyers do not condone driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they do believe that you deserve a second chance.

Now you may be wondering what good it will do to hire a Kansas City DUI attorney if you are guilty as charged.  Capable and experienced lawyers know that there are numerous defense strategies that may be used on behalf of their clients.  Even though you may be guilty, it does not mean that every detail of the arrest procedure was handled properly.  For example, the police officer may have not had just cause or reasonable suspicion sufficient to pull you over.  Were breath/blood tests administered and handled properly?  Were you taking an over-the-counter or prescription medication, and not driving after consuming alcohol or illegal substances?  There are many questions your Kansas City DUI lawyer will ask, and their answers could impact whether you are found guilty or innocent.

Have you been arrested for driving under the influence?  The price of a conviction is very high, in more ways than one.  Consult with an aggressive Kansas City DUI attorney for the best possible outcome; your future and freedom could depend on it.

Many people who are arrested for driving under the influence have no inclination to do anything about it; in fact, most don’t realize that they can fight the charges, with the assistance of a skilled Kansas City DUI lawyer.  If you or a loved one have been charged with DUI, don’t simply plead guilty and take your punishment.  It will have a seriously negative impact on many areas of your life.

What can an experienced Kansas City DUI attorney do for you?  Many things.  First of all, a competent lawyer can help you understand the charges against you, and the penalties you may face if convicted.  Most people become frightened or even panic when facing DUI charges; they have no idea what may happen to them.  Others take it lightly, believing that it is a “minor” offense and that they do not need legal counsel.  Whether guilty or innocent of the charges you are facing, it is essential that you have a qualified DUI lawyer in Kansas City on your side.

Here are a few of the penalties you may face if convicted of driving under the influence in Kansas City:

1. Loss of your driving privileges
2. Vehicle impound
3. Steep monetary fines
4. Jail time
5. Increased insurance rates

A caring Kansas City DUI lawyer will listen to your side of the story; many people feel like they are all alone, that no one will listen to the full story.  Your attorney WILL listen, because it helps him gather important details.

Gathering evidence is extremely important in a DUI case.  Kansas City DUI attorneys will challenge the evidence prosecutors bring against you, or collect their own evidence in order to enhance your case and obtain a better outcome. Talented lawyers will also frequently help those accused of driving under the influence avoid a trial if he/she is well-versed in negotiating.  However, if it does become necessary to go to trial, a reputable attorney will defend you by presenting crucial evidence, examining witnesses and asking questions about police procedure, the accuracy of field/breath tests, and more.

Do you need a Kansas City DUI lawyer when you have been charged with DUI?  If you care about your reputation, driving privileges and freedom, absolutely.  Never believe that when you are arrested, you have no other option than to accept the penalties – you do have options, and a skilled attorney will help protect your legal rights.

When you’re arrested for driving under the influence, you may be tempted to accept the charges, thinking there is really nothing you can do.  Skilled Kansas City DUI lawyers know how to build a strong defense and fight the charges, so that penalties can be avoided altogether or reduced.  A conviction for driving under the influence results in serious consequences; without aggressive legal representation, you may face a damaging impact to various aspects of your life, including your career.

Everyone makes mistakes, but it does not mean you should face jail time, loss of your driving privileges, steep fines and a criminal record.  A capable Kansas City DUI attorney will work hard to protect your from the consequences, and to challenge the evidence against you.  Even police make mistakes, and breath tests are not always accurate.  There are certain circumstances that may lead to evidence being thrown out.  Whether it is your first offense or third, it is critical that you consult with a trusted Kansas City DUI lawyer to discuss your options and how to best protect your legal rights.

Most people associate DUI with driving under the influence of alcohol. However, there are other substances that may impair your driving ability, leading to an arrest.  Prescription, over-the-counter and illegal drugs can also leave an individual charged with DUI.  You may have innocently taken a prescription drug and experienced side effects that caused you to drive in a way that made police suspicious.

If you have been arrested for DUI and your license was suspended at the time of the arrest, you face even more serious penalties.  Not only may your license be suspended for a longer time period, fines and jail time may be increased.  Regardless of the situation, it is to your advantage to seek the guidance of a capable Kansas City DUI attorney who will work diligently to seek the best possible outcome for you.

A qualified DUI attorney in Kansas City will challenge every detail of your arrest, asking questions regarding the stop, breath/field sobriety tests, whether you were read your Miranda Rights within the allotted time period and more.  Police may not pull you over without reasonable suspicion.  Breath, blood and field sobriety tests must be administered and handled properly, and results reliable.  There are a number of defense strategies a skilled lawyer may use to have the charges against his client dismissed or reduced.

If you have been charged with driving under the influence, never simply accept your fate.  Contact a talented Kansas City DUI lawyer who will offer the guidance and strong litigation skills necessary to secure a positive outcome.

DUIs, or “driving under the influence” charges, are no laughing matter. While your first offense may seem like it’s nothing much, think again. Today, everyone from insurance providers to employers take these charges seriously. Get one, and you can find yourself facing not just the loss of your license or suspension of driving privileges temporarily, but serious fines, jail time, and other consequences like job promotion pass-overs for years. If you do get one, you need to take it seriously right away. Kansas City DUI attorneys have the expertise to help you beat those charges if you’re not guilty, and minimize the consequences of those charges even if you are.

What will your Kansas City DUI lawyer do for you?

* Your attorney will tell you not to talk to law enforcement after you’ve been read your rights

The first thing your DUI lawyer will do for you is to tell you not to talk to law enforcement. That’s important, because your attorney needs talk to you before you talk to anyone else. He or she will help build your case for defense based upon what you tell him or her, and if you tell law enforcement anything after you are read your Miranda rights, you could significantly stymie your Kansas City DUI attorney’s efforts to defend you, even if you’ve done nothing wrong.

* Your lawyer will carefully investigate your case and thoroughly interview you, too

Your lawyer needs to get to know you and your case very well in order to be able to defend you in court as necessary. Therefore, expect some pretty hard-nosed and detailed questions from your attorney after you retain him or her to defend you. Cooperate as fully as you can. Your Kansas City DUI lawyer is an expert, to be sure, but he or she can only really help you if you cooperate and do everything you’re told.

* He or she will defend you as fully as possible and make sure you receive due process

If you’re not guilty, your attorney will do everything he or she can to make sure your case is thrown out. Even if you are guilty, though, all is not lost. It’s entirely possible that the facts of your case will allow for much less serious consequences than might otherwise be possible were you not to have skilled representation. Because of that, make sure you contact a Kansas City DUI attorney as soon as you can so that he or she has every resource available – and as much time as possible – to build a good defense for you.

The impact of being convicted on charges of DUI is enormous.  Without the skill of a reputable Kansas City DUI lawyer, you may face many challenges that will affect your life.  Not only may you lose your license and experience a substantial hike in your insurance rates, you may be placed in jail, required to pay hefty fines and even be forced to attend drunk driving school.  A capable Kansas City DUI attorney may be able to have the charges against you dropped, or at the very least he/she may have penalties reduced to lessen the impact to your life.

Be advised that not all Kansas City DUI lawyers take the time to examine the evidence, review the details and build a strong case on your behalf.  Unfortunately, some will simply walk you through a plea without challenging the case against you.  It is essential to your future and freedom that you choose a Kansas City DUI attorney who will give you the individual attention and dedication you deserve, someone who will challenge the evidence and other circumstances surrounding your arrest.

What does an experienced and aggressive Kansas City DUI lawyer do that others may not?  From examining police reports, evidence and any videos of the stop to challenging whether field sobriety tests were performed correctly and questioning the accuracy of the results, a caring attorney will fight vigorously for your rights.  DUI laws are often complex, however a skilled attorney knows how to use these laws to your benefit.

If it is the first time you have been arrested for driving under the influence, you are probably frightened and filled with questions.  A trusted Kansas City DUI attorney will answer all of your questions, explain the process, and work with you to devise the best possible plan of action for your individual circumstances.  A talented lawyer with years of experience will do everything in his power and work tirelessly to reach the most positive resolution possible.

The most important things a qualified Kansas City DUI lawyer will advise you of right away is to waste no time in hiring an attorney, and never offer information or answer questions without the presence of skilled legal counsel. Although they may try to convince you otherwise, law enforcement personnel are not your friends under these circumstances.  Consult with a capable Kansas City DUI attorney immediately if you have been arrested on charges of DUI.

O’Connor Law Kansas City DUI Lawyers
523 Grand, Suite 1B
Kansas City, MO 64106

If you’ve recently been pulled over for DUI, or “driving under the influence,” you need the services of a good Kansas City DUI lawyer. Make no mistake; getting pulled over for a DUI is serious business indeed, and it’s not something to be taken lightly. Handling such a situation incorrectly could cause you to lose your license or even land you in jail – not to mention having a criminal record if convicted and facing steep fines.

A reputable Kansas City DUI lawyer can help you because he or she can begin to represent you right from the beginning. You should consult with an attorney as soon as possible after you’ve gotten pulled over for suspicion of driving under the influence. It is essential that you speak with a lawyer at once because anything you say to the police can and will be used against you in a court of law. Therefore, if you do get pulled over, make sure you follow police orders to the letter, but do invoke your Miranda rights once you have been told you can exercise them. Once you’ve done that, don’t talk to the police any further without calling your lawyer first.

Once you’ve hired a competent Kansas City DUI lawyer to represent you, he or she will review your case thoroughly, talking with you and reviewing reports to get a clear representation of what happened during the incident. If you’re not guilty, your lawyer will do what he or she can to get the charges dismissed, and even if you are guilty, your lawyer can often intervene on your behalf so that your sentence is not as severe as it could be. Most importantly, you’ll be fairly represented in court, so that the outcome is the best possible.

Never take this lightly; getting pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence is no longer a minor offense. Law enforcement is taking it seriously; this should happen, of course, because drunk drivers run the risk of hurting or killing themselves and other people when they take the wheel. Nonetheless, if you are pulled over for suspicion of DUI, you need a good Kansas City DUI lawyer to protect your rights so that any consequences you face can be minimized. While charges cannot always be dropped completely, this is the first priority of your attorney.  Obtain skilled and effective legal representation when faced with DUI charges.

When you have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances you need a skilled Kansas City DWI lawyer.  While no attorney can promise you that a conviction can be avoided, without strong legal counsel you don’t have a chance.  A compassionate Kansas City DWI attorney will give you sound legal advice, and represent your rights so that the damage and impact to your life can be lessened.

Of course the ultimate goal of an attorney is to help client avoid conviction, and that does happen in many cases.  However, even when you are convicted you don’t want to face the harsh penalties that will be imposed upon you.  An experienced Kansas City DWI lawyer can often have fines and jail time reduced, and prevent you from having to perform community service or other consequences related to DWI.

There are numerous reasons that you should consult with a Kansas City DWI attorney before you ever answer questions posed by law enforcement or anyone else.  Never talk to police without a lawyer; while they may act as though they are on your side, they are not.  Anything and everything you say will be used against you.  A reputable lawyer can inform you of the steps that need to be taken to protect your rights.  For example, in Missouri you have 15 days from the date you are arrested to request a hearing, otherwise your driver’s license will be revoked.  You need advice and counsel in order to protect your future and your reputation.

It is easy to say or do something that will actually hurt your defense without the sound legal advice of a Kansas City DWI lawyer.  If you have to go to court, a qualified lawyer will work aggressively to defend your rights.  It is up to the prosecution to prove your guilt; a skilled attorney will challenge all of the evidence brought against you.  There are many questions a DWI attorney will present, including why the officer pulled you over, whether testing procedures were performed correctly, and whether the results of breath tests can be trusted.

When you have been arrested for driving under the influence, don’t leave your future to chance.  Consult with a Kansas City DWI attorney before you do anything else.  It really is that important, and your future hangs in the balance.  The first call you should make when arrested is one to an experienced lawyer.

Does it really make any difference which Kansas City DUI attorney you hire when arrested for driving under the influence?  It absolutely does.  Your reputation, future and freedom should be important to you.  Even the best may be caught driving under the influence of alcohol; we are all human and make mistakes.  The Kansas City DUI lawyer you hire can make the difference between whether the charges are dropped or reduced or whether you end up paying high fines along with spending time in jail.

When you are charged with DUI it is important to remember that this is a criminal offense that will leave you with a criminal record if convicted.  Fines and penalties vary depending upon which state you live in.  In Missouri, DUI is considered a serious offense and the penalties are harsh.  A trusted Kansas City DUI lawyer will explain the charges you are facing and help you through the entire process, including what action can be taken to protect your rights.

Many lawyers represent clients charged with driving under the influence; the question is, do they truly care about your individual case or just building their client base?  A compassionate Kansas City DUI attorney will aggressively protect your rights, demanding the strictest burden of proof from prosecutors.  You are innocent until proven guilty, which isn’t always easy even when you were behind the will after consuming alcohol or any other illegal substance.

Breath tests cannot always be relied upon, and law enforcement doesn’t always follow proper protocol.  Why were you stopped to begin with?  Did the officer follow proper procedures when administering tests?  A qualified Kansas City DUI lawyer will work hard to ensure that your freedom and reputation are protected.  From the arrest to what punishment you may be facing, a dependable attorney will support you and offer their expertise through it all to ensure the best possible outcome.

Naturally, you want the charges against you to be dropped if at all possible.  A capable Kansas City DUI attorney will work toward that end, doing everything he is capable of to secure your freedom.  This is not an easy task to accomplish, but the odds increase when you rely on a lawyer with vast experience and a proven track record.  Don’t trust any DUI lawyer to do the job.  Skill, knowledge and experience count for a great deal when your future is hanging in the balance.

Many people are not aware of all that can be done to protect their rights when charged with driving under the influence.  This is precisely why it is crucial that you consult with a Kansas City DUI lawyer, who knows and understands the laws regarding DUI.  You may believe it’s impossible to beat the case; in many cases the charges can be beat, but it takes an experienced, aggressive Kansas City DUI attorney to obtain this outcome.

Did you know that the charges may be thrown out if the arresting police officer failed to follow proper procedures?  You may have been denied your constitutional rights; results of breath tests are not always accurate or reliable.  There are many things that a reputable Kansas City DUI lawyer may challenge in order to protect your freedom and rights.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or other illegal substances is a criminal offense.  When you are charged with this crime, it’s likely that you’re frightened.  You don’t know what you may be facing, how it will impact your life or where to turn.  A compassionate Kansas City DUI lawyer will explain the process to you and work with you to devise the best plan of action to take for your individual circumstances.  The best possible outcome is to have charges dropped, but when this isn’t an option you want to reduce the damages to the greatest extent possible.

Being convicted on charges of driving under the influence can affect your life in many negative ways.  Not only will you lose your driving privileges, you may face jail time, hefty fines and a criminal record.  Many employers do not look favorably on an employee who has been convicted of driving under the influence, which could mean the loss of your job.  A trusted Kansas City DUI lawyer with years of experience can build a vigorous defense on your behalf, challenging all evidence brought against you by prosecutors.

It makes no difference what walk of life you’re from.  We all make mistakes, even doctors, lawyers, teachers and politicians.  While you may be humiliated if you’re arrested for driving under the influence, it doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel and accept whatever punishment is handed out.  A qualified Kansas City DUI attorney will do everything possible to ensure that your freedom and future are protected.  Put yourself in capable hands; if you’ve been arrested for DUI, contact a talented lawyer right away.