DWI Attorney Howard County, MO

DWI Attorney in Howard County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Howard County, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Howard County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.

Our experienced Howard County, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to providing you with the strongest possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Howard County, MO, negotiate a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.

Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Howard County, MO DWI attorneys so that you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice.

DWI Attorney in Howard County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers

No matter your situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Howard County, MO area is vital. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana or another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte right away.

Hiring a tenacious Howard County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Howard County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.

DWI Attorney in Howard County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri

Howard County, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Howard County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.

The penalties for DWI in Howard County, MO include:

• First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, fines 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: Now considered a “persistent offender” and a Class E felony offense, penalties can include 4 years in prison, fines up to $5,000, and a 10-year license revocation.
• Fourth Offense: Along with 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: This is a Class C felony, and you can expect a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.

DWI Attorney in Howard County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Howard County, MO Area

Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Howard County, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. The following are steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:

• Remain Calm and Compliant: Safely pull over to the side of the road, using your signal to indicate your intentions, and find a safe, well-lit location. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with the officer.
• Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches your vehicle to demonstrate you are 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. You have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement pulls you over, officers will do everything in their power to arrest you or use “strongarm” investigative techniques. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Howard County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can politely decline to answer by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I’d rather not answer without legal counsel.”
• Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Howard 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
• Reach Out to a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

DWI Attorney in Howard County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help

While facing a DWI charge in the Howard County, MO area is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Howard County, MO. Our firm offers:

Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Howard County, MO DWI Attorney

With more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense, the DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Howard County, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Howard County, MO clients against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.

Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented Howard County, MO DWI Attorney

We start with a detailed, no-strings-attached, free case review to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our proficient team in Howard County, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your situation.

Personalized Defense Strategies From a Howard County, MO DWI Attorney

Every Howard County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Howard County, MO. Our attorneys investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.

A Howard County, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in Negotiating Plea Bargains

If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating factors that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Howard County, MO area.

Expert Court Representation From a Howard County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience

If your Howard County, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, delivering a compelling defense strategy on your behalf. We cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and present supporting evidence and testimony. Our primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Howard County, MO.

When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Howard County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the leading DWI attorney in Howard County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Howard County and beyond:

• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney
• DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer

Connect With the Premier Howard County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte

Facing a DWI charge in the Howard County, MO area? Don’t leave your future to chance. Place it in the trustworthy hands of the tenacious and experienced DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Howard County, MO.

Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Howard 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 consultation.