DWI Attorney in Plattsburg, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Plattsburg, MO can have major and long-lasting, 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 Plattsburg, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Plattsburg, MO are committed to providing you with the best 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 Plattsburg, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Plattsburg, MO where you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Plattsburg, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever the situation, you need the best legal representation available in Plattsburg, MO. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been charged with 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 a determined Plattsburg, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Plattsburg, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Plattsburg, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Plattsburg, MO can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Plattsburg, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Plattsburg, 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.
Clinton County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Clinton County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Plattsburg, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Plattsburg, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Plattsburg, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly 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 law enforcement.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Place 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, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- 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 may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Plattsburg, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always politely decline to answer 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 Plattsburg, 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 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, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Plattsburg, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in the Plattsburg, MO area is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Plattsburg, MO. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Plattsburg, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Plattsburg, MO and throughout Missouri, with over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Plattsburg, MO clients 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 Skilled DWI Attorney in Plattsburg, MO
We begin with a detailed, no-obligation, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in Plattsburg, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
A Plattsburg, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Plattsburg, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a tailored defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Plattsburg, MO. Our attorneys meticulously 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.
A Plattsburg, 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 might be mitigating factors that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our Plattsburg, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Plattsburg, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Plattsburg, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide robust 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 priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Plattsburg, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Plattsburg, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Plattsburg, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re 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 Plattsburg 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
Reach Out to the Leading Plattsburg, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Plattsburg, MO area? Don’t leave your future to chance. Leave it to the skilled and tenacious DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Plattsburg, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Plattsburg, 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.