DWI Attorney in Wildwood, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Wildwood, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Wildwood, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Wildwood, MO are committed to providing you with the strongest possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Wildwood, MO, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Wildwood, MO DWI attorneys so that you can speak about the specifics of your case and receive confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Wildwood, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of your scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Wildwood, 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 the expertise of Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring a tenacious Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Wildwood, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Wildwood, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Wildwood, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Wildwood, 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: 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.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Wildwood, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Wildwood, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Wildwood, MO can be an harrowing experience, especially if you have been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps you should follow according to the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Remain 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 area. Maintain your composure by taking deep breaths to remain 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. 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 don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Wildwood, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can politely decline to answer 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 Wildwood, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. An officer may ask you to 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 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, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers 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 Wildwood, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in the Wildwood, 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 committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial in Wildwood, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm offers:
A Wildwood, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Wildwood, MO and throughout Missouri, with over 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 Wildwood, 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 Skilled DWI Attorney in Wildwood, MO
We start with a thorough, confidential, free consultation to understand the details of your Wildwood, MO case. This allows our talented team in Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Wildwood, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Wildwood, MO. Our lawyers meticulously 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 Wildwood, 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 in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Wildwood, MO area.
Expert Court Representation From a Wildwood, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Wildwood, 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 primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Wildwood, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Wildwood, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the best DWI attorney in Wildwood, 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 provides expertise in the following areas for Wildwood, MO residents:
- 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 Wildwood, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Wildwood, 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 legal team is prepared to defend you and safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Wildwood, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Wildwood, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.