DWI Attorney in Clark County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Clark County, MO can have serious and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Clark County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you need the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable Clark County, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to offering you the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Clark County, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Clark County, MO DWI attorneys where you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Clark County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of your situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Clark County, MO is crucial. 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 the help of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a determined Clark County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Clark County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Clark County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Clark County, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Clark County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Clark 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: 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, penalties can include 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: 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.
Clark County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Clark County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Clark County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Clark County, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Clark County, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. The following are steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Stay Calm and Compliant: Pull over safely to the side of the road, signaling as you do so, finding a safe, well-lit area. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with the police 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 – this goes a long way.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination or long-winded conversations. After all, 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 Clark County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can politely decline questions by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I would rather not answer without legal counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Clark 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 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 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, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Clark County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in the Clark County, MO area is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Clark County, MO. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Clark 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 Clark 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 Clark County, MO area against these types of charges. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in Clark County, MO
We start with a in-depth, no-obligation, free case review to understand the specifics of your Clark County, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Clark 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.
A Clark County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Clark County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Clark County, MO. Our attorneys investigate every aspect 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.
A Clark County, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in Negotiating Plea Bargains
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating factors that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our Clark County, MO-area clients.
Court Representation From a Clark County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Clark County, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting compelling arguments on your behalf. We cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and present supporting evidence and testimony. 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 Clark County, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Clark County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Clark 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 offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Clark 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 Clark County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Clark 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 safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Clark County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Clark County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.