DWI Attorney in Bridgeton, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Bridgeton, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Bridgeton, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable Bridgeton, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted 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 DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Bridgeton, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Bridgeton, MO DWI attorneys so that you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Bridgeton, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
No matter your situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Bridgeton, MO area is vital. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been charged with driving while intoxicated 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 immediately.
Hiring an aggressive Bridgeton, 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 Bridgeton, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Bridgeton, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Bridgeton, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Bridgeton, 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.
Penalties for DWI in Bridgeton, MO amount to:
- First Offense: You could receive a jail term of up to 6 months, fines of 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.
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 Bridgeton, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Bridgeton, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Bridgeton, MO can be an intimidating experience, especially if you have been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. Here are the 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 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 your vehicle to demonstrate you’re not a threat and are 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. 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 are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Bridgeton, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can politely decline to answer 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 Bridgeton, 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Bridgeton, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in Bridgeton, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is committed to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Bridgeton, MO. We provide:
A Bridgeton, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Bridgeton, 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 had numerous successful results defending Bridgeton, MO clients 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 Talented DWI Attorney in Bridgeton, MO
We begin with a thorough, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in Bridgeton, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Bridgeton, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Bridgeton, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Bridgeton, MO. Our lawyers investigate every angle 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 Bridgeton, 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 circumstances that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Bridgeton, MO area.
Court Representation From a Bridgeton, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Bridgeton, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous 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 Bridgeton, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Bridgeton, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the best DWI attorney in Bridgeton, 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 provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Bridgeton 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 Bridgeton, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Bridgeton, 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 Bridgeton, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Bridgeton, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.