When a St. Louis woman crashed her vehicle into a tree and walked away from the scene, few expected the charges against her to go away. Police later found her at home and reported classic signs of intoxication — glassy eyes, slurred speech, the smell of alcohol, and an admission that she had been drinking.
She was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and faced more than just criminal penalties. By refusing to take a breath test, she was also at risk of losing her license for a full year under Missouri’s implied consent laws.
But thanks to the legal advocacy of Rose Legal Services St. Louis criminal attorneys, the story didn’t end in conviction or license suspension. Instead, a judge found no probable cause for the arrest, her license was reinstated, and the DWI charge was dropped.
Here’s how the defense strategy turned the tide in what looked like an open-and-shut case.
DWI Charges Filed After Single-Vehicle Crash and Alleged Signs of Intoxication
The case began late at night when the defendant mistakenly drove the wrong way around a traffic circle — a confusing, but not uncommon, traffic mistake — and lost control of her vehicle, crashing into a tree. She didn’t call police. She didn’t wait for help. Instead, she walked home.
When law enforcement officers arrived at her residence later that evening, they noted what they believed were strong indicators of alcohol impairment:
- Strong odor of alcohol
- Slurred and thick speech
- Glassy, bloodshot eyes
- Trouble maintaining balance
- General confusion
- A statement that she had “some drinks earlier”
Based on those observations alone — and without witnessing her behind the wheel — the officers arrested her for DWI.
She refused to take a breath test. That refusal automatically triggered proceedings to suspend her driver’s license for one year under Missouri’s administrative laws.
But even though the evidence seemed stacked against her, Rose Legal Services took the case to court — and won.
No Probable Cause: Why the Court Threw Out the Arrest
What many people don’t realize is that a DWI arrest must be backed by more than suspicion. Police need probable cause, meaning they must reasonably believe that a crime was committed and that the person they are arresting is the one who committed it.
In this case, the State had a major problem: no one saw the defendant driving.
By the time officers arrived at her home, the accident was long over. There were no witnesses to her driving. There was no breath or blood test to confirm her level of intoxication. And while the signs of impairment they observed were certainly suspicious, they didn’t answer the most important legal question:
Was she actually intoxicated at the time she was driving?
Or had she consumed alcohol after the crash, while at home?
With the right questions, Rose Legal Services was able to show that the State lacked a critical link in its case. The judge agreed. There was no probable cause for arrest, which meant the license suspension was thrown out — and the criminal case quickly followed.
How Refusing a Breath Test Can Still Lead to a Win — With the Right Lawyer
Refusing a chemical test is a risky move. In Missouri, that refusal typically results in an automatic 1-year license suspension unless you request a hearing and win.
Many drivers don’t realize they have the right to challenge a refusal suspension. Even fewer know that winning that hearing can be the first step in getting DWI charges dropped altogether.
That’s exactly what happened in this case.
Thanks to timely and strategic legal intervention by Rose Legal Services, the court recognized that without firsthand evidence of driving or a chemical test result, the State’s entire case relied on shaky inferences.
Why Choosing the Right Criminal Defense Lawyer Makes All the Difference
Not every DWI case ends in dismissal — but many more could if defendants knew their rights and worked with experienced legal counsel from the very beginning.
The attorneys at Rose Legal Services St. Louis criminal attorneys have extensive experience challenging DWI arrests throughout Missouri. They understand:
- The legal thresholds required for probable cause
- How to contest license suspensions and preserve driving privileges
- How to dismantle police narratives in court
- What matters most to prosecutors when deciding whether to proceed or dismiss
Whether it’s a first offense or a repeat charge, their team brings a smart, trial-ready approach to every case — and fights for outcomes that protect your record, your license, and your future.
A Costly Mistake Turned Into a Legal Victory
This case could have easily resulted in:
- A permanent criminal record
- One year without a driver’s license
- Higher insurance premiums
- Loss of job opportunities
- Public embarrassment and reputational harm
Instead, the client walked away with no conviction and a valid driver’s license — because she chose a law firm that knows how to push back.
Everyone makes mistakes. But not everyone gets a second chance. This client did — and she used it.
Facing DWI Charges in Missouri? Take Action Before It’s Too Late.
If you’ve been arrested for DWI — especially if you refused a breath test — time is not on your side. You only have 15 days to request a hearing to fight a license suspension. Missing that deadline can cost you your driving privileges for a full year.
Before you say anything else to the police or accept a plea deal, talk to a lawyer who knows how to challenge the system effectively.
The team at Rose Legal Services St. Louis criminal attorneys offers aggressive, personalized DWI defense and has a proven track record of getting charges reduced — or dropped entirely.
Ready to defend your freedom and your future?
Contact Rose Legal Services today to schedule a consultation and get the experienced representation you need.
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