DWI Attorney in St. Louis, Missouri. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in St. Louis can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in St. Louis or anywhere else in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of an experienced Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable St. Louis criminal defense attorneys are dedicated 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 talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in St. Louis reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys where you can discuss the specifics of your case and get expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team in St. Louis
Whatever the situation, you need the best legal representation available in St. Louis. 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 or intoxicated, you need the help of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring an aggressive St. Louis DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a St. Louis-based DWI attorney right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney: Understanding DWI Penalties in St. Louis and Throughout Missouri
DWI charges can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in St. Louis, 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 St. Louis include:
- 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: Now considered a “persistent offender,” this is 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.
DWI Attorney: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in St. Louis
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in St. Louis can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation carefully. 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 location. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
- 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 officer and follow their instructions – this goes a long way.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. 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, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always 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 St. Louis, 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 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. These portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used to establish probable cause.
- Call a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense in St. Louis
While facing a DWI charge in St. Louis is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome. We provide:
A DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
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 St. Louis and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the St. Louis area against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney
We begin with a thorough, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in St. Louis to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, as well as potential avenues for defense strategies.
A DWI Attorney That Challenges the Evidence
Every St. Louis DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a tailored defense strategy based on your specific circumstances. Our lawyers investigate every angle 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 DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in Negotiating Plea Bargains
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 in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our St. Louis-area clients.
Court Representation From a DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your St. Louis DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting compelling arguments on your behalf. We cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and present supporting evidence and testimony. Our priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed.
Reach Out to the Leading St. Louis DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in St. Louis, 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.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case review.
