DWI Attorney in Audrain County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Audrain County, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Audrain County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Audrain County, MO are dedicated to offering you the strongest possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Audrain County, MO, negotiate a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Audrain County, MO DWI attorneys where you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and receive confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Audrain County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of the scenario, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Audrain County, MO area is vital. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana or some other intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring an aggressive Audrain County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Audrain County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Audrain County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Audrain County, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Audrain 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 Audrain County, MO amount to:
- First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, fines of up to $500, and a 30-day license suspension followed by a 60-day restricted driving period.
- Second Offense: Considered a “prior offender” so you face 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, 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.
Audrain County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Audrain County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Audrain County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Audrain County, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Audrain County, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been drinking. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation carefully. The following are steps you should follow according to the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Stay 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, taking deep breaths in order to stay 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 – this goes a long way.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. After all, you have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement has you pulled over, officers may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Audrain County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can always politely decline questions by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I would rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Audrain County, MO, or anywhere else for that matter, as they are subjective and typically used only to establish probable cause to arrest you. An officer may ask you to take a portable breath test, or breathalyzer. While the state of Missouri has an implied consent law that suspends your license for 1 year if you refuse a breathalyzer – called chemical revocation – this is only applicable after a DWI arrest, not before. These portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Audrain County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in or around Audrain County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Audrain County, MO. Our firm provides:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Audrain 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 Audrain 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 Audrain 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 Audrain County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a detailed, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our proficient team in Audrain County, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
A Audrain County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Audrain County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Audrain County, MO. Our attorneys 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Audrain County, MO DWI Attorney
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There might be mitigating factors that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Audrain County, MO area.
Expert Court Representation From a Audrain County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Audrain 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 primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or minimize any potential penalties in Audrain County, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Audrain County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Audrain County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing 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 Audrain 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
Contact the Ideal Audrain County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Audrain 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 Audrain County, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Audrain 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.