Anyone who has access to a vehicle and alcohol could potentially violate impaired driving laws. Some people who get accused of driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses are young adults. They often fail to understand the risk involved with their behavior.
Most people who face impaired driving charges are adults. They are old enough to legally purchase and consume alcohol, and they can potentially drive after doing so if they know their personal limits. However, they might be parents who have to transport their children or professionals who sometimes drive with children and young adults in their vehicles.
The presence of underage passengers is one of the most concerning aggravating factors in Missouri DWI cases. The state might, therefore, file a second charge against someone who has a passenger age 17 or younger in the vehicle at the time of their arrest.
Drunk driving can also be child endangerment
Car crashes are a major safety risk for young people, and drunk drivers cause some of the worst collisions every year. When drivers expose minors to unnecessary risk, the state can hold the adults accountable for that conduct.
Young adults may not feel confident telling their siblings or their parents that they won’t get in the vehicle if they notice that someone is under the influence. Children may not even recognize when an adult is not in the right condition to drive. The tragic reality is that underage passengers are at significant risk when someone gets behind the wheel after having too much to drink. In Missouri, prosecutors have the option of pursuing child endangerment charges in addition to DWI charges if there is a minor in the vehicle at the time of a collision or an arrest.
The details of a particular case determine the exact charges someone faces. In many cases, those accused of child endangerment face Class A misdemeanor charges, although the state can pursue Class E felony charges in some cases. For adults, the consequences could also include issues maintaining professional licensing or more challenges when seeking custody in the future.
Understanding the laws that govern DWI charges in Missouri can help people understand why prosecutors take the steps that they do. Drivers who defend vigorously against DWI charges can potentially avoid the numerous consequences associated with a conviction.
