DWI Attorney in Belton, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Belton, MO can have severe and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Belton, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Belton, MO are dedicated to providing you with the best possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Belton, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Belton, MO DWI attorneys where you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Belton, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever your scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Belton, MO is crucial. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been arrested for 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 a tenacious Belton, 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 Belton, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Belton, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Belton, MO can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Belton, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Belton, MO include:
- 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, so you could face up to 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Belton, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Belton, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Belton, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been drinking. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation carefully. 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 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: 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 officer and follow their instructions – this goes a long way.
- 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 Belton, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can politely decline questions 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 Belton, MO, or anywhere else for that matter, as they are subjective and typically used only to establish probable cause to arrest you. 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 used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Belton, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in the Belton, MO area is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Belton, MO. Our firm offers:
A Belton, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Belton, 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 successfully defended numerous clients in the Belton, MO area 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 Talented DWI Attorney in Belton, MO
We start with a thorough, no-obligation, free case review to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our talented team in Belton, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your situation.
A Belton, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Belton, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Belton, MO. Our lawyers meticulously 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 Belton, 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 may also be mitigating factors that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Belton, MO area.
Court Representation From a Belton, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Belton, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering 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 lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Belton, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Belton, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the ideal DWI attorney in Belton, 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 Belton and beyond:
Connect With the Premier Belton, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Belton, 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 Belton, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Belton, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.
