Benton, MO

DWI Attorney in Benton, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Benton, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Benton, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you need the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.

Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Benton, MO 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 Benton, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.

Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Benton, MO DWI attorneys where you can speak about the specifics of your case and receive confidential legal advice and guidance.

DWI Attorney in Benton, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team

Regardless of your situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Benton, MO area is vital. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge 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 help of Combs Waterkotte immediately.

Hiring a tenacious Benton, 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 Benton, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.

DWI Attorney in Benton, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri

DWI charges in Benton, MO can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Benton, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.

Penalties for DWI in Benton, MO amount to:

• 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, 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, along with the suspension of your license.

DWI Attorney in Benton, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Benton, MO Area

Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Benton, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation carefully. The following are steps recommended by 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. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with the police officer.
• Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Place 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, 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 pulls you 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 Benton, MO area, 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 Benton, 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
• Contact 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 legal team can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

DWI Attorney in Benton, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense

Facing a DWI charge in or around Benton, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Benton, MO. We provide:

A Benton, MO 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 Benton, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Benton, 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 Talented Benton, MO DWI Attorney

We begin with a in-depth, confidential, free consultation to understand the details of your Benton, MO case. This allows our talented team in Benton, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.

A Benton, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence

Each Benton, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Benton, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the legality of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.

Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Benton, MO DWI Attorney

If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There might be mitigating circumstances that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Benton, MO area.

Expert Court Representation From a Benton, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience

If your Benton, MO DWI case proceeds 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 primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Benton, MO.

When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Benton, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the leading DWI attorney in Benton, MO and throughout Missouri – you are securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Benton and beyond:

• 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
• Criminal Lawyer

Connect With the Premier Benton, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte

If you are facing a DWI charge in Benton, 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 lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Benton, MO.

Take the first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Benton, MO area by calling 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.