DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Buchanan County, 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 are facing these charges in Buchanan County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Buchanan County, MO are devoted to offering you the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Buchanan County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Buchanan County, MO so that you can discuss the specifics of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter the situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Buchanan County, 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 expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a determined Buchanan County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Buchanan County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Buchanan County, MO can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Buchanan County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Buchanan County, MO amount to:
- 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: 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: 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: 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 Buchanan County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Buchanan County, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Buchanan County, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential 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. Maintain 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 are not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the officer and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination or long-winded conversations. After all, you have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement has you pulled 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 Buchanan County, 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 Buchanan County, 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 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, not before. These tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in the Buchanan County, MO area is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial in Buchanan County, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
A Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Buchanan County, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Buchanan County, MO clients 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 in Buchanan County, MO
We start with a in-depth, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our skilled team in Buchanan County, 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 Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney
Every Buchanan County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Buchanan County, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every angle 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.
A Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney Who is Adept at 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 to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our Buchanan County, MO-area clients.
Court Representation From a Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Buchanan County, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering a compelling defense strategy 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 Buchanan County, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Buchanan County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in Buchanan County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re 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 Buchanan County and beyond:
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
- Criminal Lawyer
- Juvenile Defense Lawyer
- Sexual Misconduct Lawyer
- Traffic Ticket Lawyer
Connect With the Premier Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Buchanan County, MO, 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 Buchanan County, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Buchanan County, MO area by calling 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.
