DWI Attorney in Bridgeton, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Bridgeton, MO can have serious and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Bridgeton, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Bridgeton, MO are devoted to offering you 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 reduce or dismiss your charges in Bridgeton, MO, arrange a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Bridgeton, MO DWI attorneys so that you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Bridgeton, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
No matter your scenario, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Bridgeton, 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 expertise of Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring a tenacious Bridgeton, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly 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, like 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) and file for SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Bridgeton, MO include:
- First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, 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 Bridgeton, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Bridgeton, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Bridgeton, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve 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 area. Keep 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 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 in the Bridgeton, 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 Bridgeton, 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Contact a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Bridgeton, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in Bridgeton, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you get a fair trial in Bridgeton, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Bridgeton, MO DWI Attorney
With more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense, the DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Bridgeton, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Bridgeton, MO clients against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented Bridgeton, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a thorough, confidential, free consultation to understand the details of your Bridgeton, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Bridgeton, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Bridgeton, MO DWI Attorney
Each Bridgeton, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Bridgeton, MO. Our attorneys investigate every aspect 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 Bridgeton, MO 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 might be mitigating factors that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our Bridgeton, MO-area clients.
Court Representation From a Bridgeton, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Bridgeton, 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 priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Bridgeton, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Bridgeton, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Bridgeton, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting 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 Bridgeton, MO residents:
Contact the Ideal Bridgeton, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Bridgeton, MO area? Do not 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 Bridgeton, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Bridgeton, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.
