Joplin, MO

DWI Attorney in Joplin, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Joplin, MO can have serious and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Joplin, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.

Our knowledgeable Joplin, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed 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 Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Joplin, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.

Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Joplin, MO DWI attorneys where you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.

DWI Attorney in Joplin, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team

No matter your scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Joplin, MO. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI 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 expertise of Combs Waterkotte right now.

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

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

DWI charges in Joplin, MO can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Joplin, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.

The penalties for DWI in Joplin, 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: 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, 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, as well as the suspension of your license.

DWI Attorney in Joplin, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Joplin, MO Area

Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Joplin, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been drinking. If you are pulled over 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: 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, 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 has you pulled 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 Joplin, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can 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 Joplin, 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.
• Contact a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

DWI Attorney in Joplin, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help

While facing a DWI charge in the Joplin, MO area is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is committed to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial in Joplin, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:

Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Joplin, 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 Joplin, 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 Joplin, 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 Talented Joplin, MO DWI Attorney

We start with a thorough, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our proficient team in Joplin, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.

A Joplin, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence

Each Joplin, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Joplin, MO. Our lawyers meticulously 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 Joplin, 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 factors that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Joplin, MO area.

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

If your Joplin, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide robust 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 primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Joplin, MO.

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

• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
• Criminal Lawyer

Contact the Ideal Joplin, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte

Facing a DWI charge in the Joplin, MO area? Do not 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 Joplin, MO.

Take the first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Joplin, 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 case review.