DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Buchanan County, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Buchanan County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our knowledgeable Buchanan County, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to providing you with the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Buchanan County, MO, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Buchanan County, MO DWI attorneys where you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever the situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Buchanan County, MO area is vital. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been charged with driving while intoxicated under the influence of marijuana or some other intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the expertise of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring a determined Buchanan County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Buchanan County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Buchanan County, MO can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Buchanan County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Buchanan County, MO amount to:
- First Offense: You could receive a jail term of up to 6 months, fines of up to $500, and a 30-day license suspension followed by a 60-day restricted driving period.
- Second Offense: Classified as a “prior offender,” penalties include up to 1 year in jail, fines up to $1,000, and a license suspension ranging from 1 to 5 years.
- Third Offense: Classified as a “persistent offender” and a Class E felony offense, so you could face up to 4 years in prison, fines up to $5,000, and a 10-year license revocation.
- Fourth Offense: In addition to a Class D felony offense, you may receive a prison sentence up to 7 years, fines up to $5,000, and license suspension.
- Fifth Offense: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.
Buchanan County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Buchanan County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Buchanan County, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Buchanan County, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Remain Calm and Compliant: Pull over safely to the side of the road, signaling as you do so, finding a safe, well-lit location. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches your vehicle to demonstrate you’re not a threat and are cooperative. Politely greet the officer and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. After all, you have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement pulls you over, officers may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Buchanan County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can politely decline questions by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I’d rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Buchanan County, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. An officer might request that you take a portable breath test, or breathalyzer. While Missouri’s implied consent law mandates a one-year license suspension for refusing a breathalyzer after a DWI arrest, this not apply to tests conducted before an arrest. These tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney Immediately: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in Buchanan County, MO is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Buchanan County, MO. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney
With over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense, the DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Buchanan County, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Buchanan County, MO area against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO
We start with a in-depth, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the details of your Buchanan County, MO case. This allows our proficient team in Buchanan County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your situation.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney
Every Buchanan County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Buchanan County, MO. Our lawyers investigate every angle of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating circumstances that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Buchanan County, MO area.
Court Representation From a Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Buchanan County, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting compelling arguments on your behalf. We present supporting evidence and testimony, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. Our priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Buchanan County, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Buchanan County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Buchanan County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team provides expertise in the following areas for Buchanan County, MO residents:
- Gun Crime Lawyer
- Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
Connect With the Premier Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Buchanan County, MO area? Do not leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Buchanan County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Buchanan County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.