DWI Attorney in Bolivar, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Bolivar, MO can have severe and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Bolivar, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable Bolivar, 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 specifics of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Bolivar, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Bolivar, MO DWI attorneys so that you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Bolivar, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
No matter the situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Bolivar, 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 help of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring a tenacious Bolivar, MO 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 DWI attorney in Bolivar, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Bolivar, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Bolivar, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Bolivar, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Bolivar, MO amount to:
- First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, 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” 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 Bolivar, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Bolivar, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Bolivar, MO can be an harrowing experience, particularly if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. The following are steps recommended by 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 location. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with the officer.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Place your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches, showing you’re 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 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 don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Bolivar, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can politely decline to answer 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 Bolivar, MO, 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 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 only used 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, such as the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Bolivar, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in Bolivar, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Bolivar, MO. Our firm offers:
A Bolivar, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Bolivar, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Bolivar, MO clients 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 Skilled Bolivar, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a thorough, confidential, free consultation to understand the specifics of your Bolivar, MO case. This allows our proficient team in Bolivar, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Bolivar, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Bolivar, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a tailored defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Bolivar, MO. 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Bolivar, 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. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Bolivar, MO area.
Court Representation From a Bolivar, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Bolivar, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting a compelling defense strategy 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Bolivar, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Bolivar, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the ideal DWI attorney in Bolivar, MO and throughout Missouri – you are securing 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 Bolivar and beyond:
Reach Out to the Leading Bolivar, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Bolivar, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Leave it to the skilled and tenacious DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Bolivar, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Bolivar, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.
