Howard County, MO

DWI Attorney in Howard County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Howard County, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Howard County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you need the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.

Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Howard County, MO are committed to providing you with the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Howard County, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.

Give Combs Waterkotte a call as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Howard County, MO where you can speak about the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice and guidance.

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

Whatever the situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Howard County, MO area is vital. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge 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 help of Combs Waterkotte right away.

Hiring a determined Howard County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Howard County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

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

DWI charges in Howard County, MO can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Howard County, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.

The penalties for DWI in Howard County, MO include:

• First Offense: You could receive a jail term of up to 6 months, 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: 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: 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 Howard County, MO

Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Howard County, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation carefully. The following are 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 area. Maintain 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 police office and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
• Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination or long-winded conversations. 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 are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Howard County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can always 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 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
• Contact a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Call us today 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 Howard County, MO is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Howard County, MO. We provide:

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 are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Howard County, MO area against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.

An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Howard County, MO DWI Attorney

We begin with a detailed, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our skilled team in Howard County, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.

A Howard County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence

Each Howard County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a tailored defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Howard County, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the legality 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 circumstances that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Howard County, MO.

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

If your Howard County, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, delivering a compelling defense strategy 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 lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Howard County, MO.

When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Howard County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in Howard County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are protecting 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 residents in Howard County and beyond:

• 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

Contact the Ideal Howard County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte

Facing a DWI charge in the Howard County, MO area? Don’t leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Howard County, MO.

Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Howard County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.