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What is DWI with Child Endangerment in Missouri?
If you are stopped on suspicion of DWI, you’re facing serious consequences. However, when a child is involved, the stakes are even higher. Being charged with DWI with child endangerment not only increases the severity of the potential penalties but can also affect your personal life, your child custody or visitation rights, your family, and your future.
If you’re facing these charges, having an experienced criminal defense attorney is critical to protecting your rights and securing the best possible outcome. The Combs Waterkotte DWI/DUI lawyers have over 40 years of experience successfully handling cases just like yours.
You don't have to go through this alone. Contact one of our lawyers today at (314) 900-HELP to protect your future.
In Missouri, DWI with child endangerment occurs when a person is arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs while a child under the age of 17 is in the vehicle. This is treated as a form of child abuse, which elevates the seriousness of the charge significantly. Prosecutors often pursue these cases aggressively.
Every case is different. But, possible penalties for DWI with child endangerment in Missouri include:
- Enhanced criminal penalties: A DWI with child endangerment charge can be prosecuted as a class D felony if it is your first offense, and a class C felony for repeat offenders. This can lead to longer jail time, higher fines, and extended license revocation/suspension.
- Child protective services involvement: In addition to criminal charges, a DWI with a child in the vehicle might lead to investigations by Missouri’s Department of Social Services, possibly impacting your parental rights.
- Increased insurance rates: Insurance companies may consider you a high-risk driver, leading to boosted premiums or even the cancellation of your coverage.
- License suspension or revocation: A conviction can lead to the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license for an extended period, making it difficult to meet daily responsibilities.
Due to these potentially life-altering consequences, it’s essential to work with a Combs Waterkotte defense attorney who specializes in DWI cases, particularly those involving child endangerment.
Aggressive DWI with Child Endangerment Defense in Missouri
The Combs Waterkotte DWI defense attorneys take a comprehensive approach to every case, defending your rights and future, while challenging the prosecution to prove every element. They demand answers to:
- Did law enforcement have probable cause to initiate a traffic stop?
- Was there sufficient reasonable suspicion that you were under the influence?
- Is the officer’s report and testimony aligned with video footage and other supporting evidence?
- Did the breathalyzer produce accurate BAC readings, and can the results be challenged or excluded?
- Were you consistently watched prior to taking the breath test, as required by Missouri protocol?
- Could any biological, physical, or medical conditions have led to unusually high BAC levels?
Our legal team recognizes how important your child is to you. When you choose us to defend you, we will represent you with dedication, expertise, and determination, striving to successfully challenge both the DWI and child endangerment charges.
What is Considered Child Endangerment in Missouri?
According to Missouri Revised Statute § 568.045, an individual commits the offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree if they:
- Knowingly acts in a manner that creates a substantial risk to the life, body, or health of a child less than 17 years old.
- Knowingly encourages, aids, or causes a child less than 17 years old to engage in an offense involving a controlled substance – drug possession, delivery, distribution, trafficking, or manufacturing.
- Knowingly engages in sexual conduct with a person below 17 years old over whom the individual is a parent, guardian, or otherwise charged with the care and custody.
- Unlawfully manufactures compounds, possesses, produces, prepares, sells, transports, tests, or analyzes amphetamine or methamphetamine in the presence of a child below 17 years.
A DWI with child endangerment charge is a serious matter that calls for skilled legal representation. At Combs Waterkotte, we offer the expertise, resources, and personalized attention needed to fight for the best possible outcome. Give us a call as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a confidential consultation with an expert DWI/DUI defense attorney.
Learn more about Combs Waterkotte's Missouri DWI/DUI defense and types of cases below:
- Aggravated DWI
- Celebrity and Public Official/High Profile DWI Cases
- Unlawful Police Stops
- DWI Assault
- DWI Serious Injury
- DWI Resulting in Death
- Open Container Violations
- Boating While Intoxicated
- DWI/DUI
- Hit and Run DWI
- Felony DWI
- CDL DWIs
- DWI First Offense
- DWI Second Offense
- DWI Accidents
- DWI With Drugs
- DWI With Marijuana
