DWI Attorney in Ladue, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Ladue, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Ladue, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our experienced Ladue, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Ladue, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Ladue, MO so that you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Ladue, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter your situation, you need the best legal representation available in Ladue, MO. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been charged with driving under the influence of marijuana or another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the help of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a tenacious Ladue, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Ladue, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Ladue, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Ladue, MO can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Ladue, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Ladue, 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: 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, penalties can include 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: 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.
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 Ladue, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Ladue, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Ladue, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps you should follow according to the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Remain Calm and Compliant: Pull over safely to the side of the road, signaling as you do so, finding a safe, well-lit spot. Maintain your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with the police officer.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches, showing you are not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the police office and follow their instructions – this goes a long way.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination or long-winded conversations. 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 are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Ladue, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. 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 Ladue, 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 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 Immediately: 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. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Ladue, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in or around Ladue, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Ladue, MO. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Ladue, MO DWI Attorney
With more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense, the DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Ladue, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Ladue, MO clients against these accusations. 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 Ladue, MO
We start with a detailed, confidential, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in Ladue, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Ladue, MO DWI Attorney
Every Ladue, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Ladue, MO. Our attorneys 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 Ladue, 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 Ladue, MO-area clients.
Court Representation From a Ladue, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Ladue, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting a compelling defense strategy 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Ladue, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Ladue, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Ladue, 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 provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Ladue 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
Connect With the Premier Ladue, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Ladue, MO, don’t 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 Ladue, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Ladue, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.