Columbia, MO

DWI Attorney in Columbia, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Columbia, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Columbia, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.

Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Columbia, MO are dedicated to offering you the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Columbia, MO, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.

Give Combs Waterkotte a call as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Columbia, MO so that you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and receive confidential legal advice.

DWI Attorney in Columbia, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team

No matter your situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Columbia, 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 another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the expertise of Combs Waterkotte right now.

Hiring a determined Columbia, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Columbia, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

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

Columbia, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Columbia, 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 Columbia, 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: 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: Classified as 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, as well as the suspension of your license.

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

Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Columbia, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. The following are steps recommended by 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. Maintain your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
• Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches, showing you’re not a threat and 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 are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Columbia, 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 Columbia, 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 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 as Soon as Possible: Seek 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 protect your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.

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

While facing a DWI charge in the Columbia, MO area 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, making sure you get a fair trial in Columbia, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm offers:

A Columbia, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise

The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Columbia, 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 successfully defended numerous clients in the Columbia, MO area against these types of charges. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.

Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Columbia, MO DWI Attorney

We begin with a thorough, no-obligation, free case review to understand the details of your Columbia, MO case. This allows our talented team in Columbia, MO to evaluate 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 Columbia, MO DWI Attorney

Every Columbia, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Columbia, MO. Our lawyers 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.

Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Columbia, MO DWI Attorney

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 to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Columbia, MO area.

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

If your Columbia, 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 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 Columbia, MO.

When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Columbia, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Columbia, 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 Columbia and beyond:

• 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
• Criminal Lawyer

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

If you are facing a DWI charge in Columbia, MO, 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 Columbia, MO.

Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Columbia, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.