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DWI Attorney California, MO

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Last Updated: June 7, 2024

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

Our experienced California, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in California, MO reduced or even dropped, 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 contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our California, MO DWI attorneys where you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice.

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

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

Hiring an aggressive California, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a California, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.

DWI Attorney California, MO | Criminal Defense in California, MO | California, MO DWI Lawyers

DWI Attorney in California, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri

DWI charges in California, MO can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your California, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.

The penalties for DWI in California, MO amount to:

  • 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: 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: 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.

DWI Attorney in California, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in California, MO

Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in California, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is essential 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 spot. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with the officer.
  • Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Place 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. 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 California, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always 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 California, MO, or anywhere else for that matter, as they are subjective and typically used only to establish probable cause to arrest you. 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 used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
  • Call 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 lawyers can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

DWI Attorney California, MO | Leading Criminal Defense DWI Law Firm California, MO | Combs Waterkotte

DWI Attorney in California, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense

Facing a DWI charge in or around California, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. 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 California, MO. We provide:

Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our California, MO DWI Attorney

The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in California, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending California, MO clients against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.

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

We begin with a in-depth, confidential, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in California, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.

A California, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence

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

A California, MO DWI Attorney Who is Adept at 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 to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our California, MO-area clients.

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

Should your California, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, delivering 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, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in California, MO.

When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around California, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the leading DWI attorney in California, MO and throughout Missouri – you are 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 California, MO residents:

DWI Attorney California, MO | DWI Criminal Defense in California, MO | Combs Waterkotte

Reach Out to the Leading California, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte

Facing a DWI charge in the California, MO area? Don’t leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in California, MO.

Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the California, 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.

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