The criminal justice system is often complicated. In addition to court proceedings, there are often unique circumstances that could lead to more severe punishments and charges. For example, a man in Missouri could potentially spend the rest of his life in prison after being charged with his seventh drunk driving offense.
The most recent incident that led to an arrest warrant for the 56-year-old man happened on a day in early August. According to reports, a witness claims to have seen a male driver run over several curbs. The same witness also claims to have seen the driver strike a parked car as he attempted to park his vehicle at an apartment complex.
Police say that the man was unable to stand when they were talking with him. His blood alcohol content was allegedly significantly over the legal limit. Though he was charged with a Class B felony as a result of a charge of DWI as a habitual offender, he is subject to the punishments for a Class A felony because law enforcement officers consider him to be a “prior and persistent” offender. Class A felonies carry a potential prison sentence of 10 years to life.
Reports indicate that the Missouri man’s first drunk driving charge happened over 30 years ago, while the most recent one prior to these charges happened in 2004. Unfortunately, if convicted he could spend a significant amount of time behind bars. Because of the complications of the criminal justice system, many people facing charges often feel more confident in their ability to fully understand their predicament and make informed decisions regarding the direction their case will follow with the guidance of an experienced professional.