City of St. Louis changes plea bargain policy for first DWI

City of St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay recently announced a change in the policy of offering plea bargains to drivers charged with their first DWI. In many cases involving a driver's first DWI charge, City Prosecutors have been willing to offer a plea bargain where the driver pleads guilty to a lesser charge, or enters into a Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS). The result of these plea bargains was that no DWI conviction appeared on the driver's record.

Mayor Slay announced that City Prosecutors will change the policy for offering plea bargains for first time DWI charges. The extent of the City policy change is not yet clear; however, it appears that City Prosecutors will be less willing to offer reduced charges and SIS for first time charges.

City Prosecutors prosecute about 500 DWI cases a year, which are typically first-time DWI offenses. Cases in which the driver has a prior DWI conviction are typically referred to state courts for prosecution. The City Prosecutor's Office has indicated that the City will continue prosecuting first-time DWI cases, while referring cases involving a prior DWI conviction to state courts.

Chris Wegner was a public Defender in the City of St. Louis for ten years, and he tried over 75 jury trials. Wegner Buchanan has extensive experience in criminal defense and can defend you against DWI charges. For more information regarding DWI law and your rights, please see our DWI Guide. If you have been charged with a DWI, CALL US TODAY AT 314-726-6464 AND WE WILL MEET WITH YOU AT NO CHARGE TO DISCUSS YOUR CASE.