DWI Attorney in Butler County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Butler County, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Butler County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Butler County, MO are committed to offering you the best possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Butler County, MO, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Butler County, MO DWI attorneys where you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Butler County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever your scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Butler County, MO is crucial. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been charged with driving 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 right now.
Hiring a determined Butler County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Butler County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Butler County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Butler County, MO can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Butler County, 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 Butler County, MO amount to:
- 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 Butler County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Butler County, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Butler County, 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 crucial to handle the situation carefully. The following are steps you should follow according to the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Stay Calm and Compliant: Safely pull over to the side of the road, using your signal to indicate your intentions, and find a safe, well-lit location. Maintain 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 – 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 may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Butler 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’d rather not answer without legal counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Butler 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 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team 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 Butler County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in or around Butler County, 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 in Butler County, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:
A Butler County, 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 Butler County, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Butler County, MO clients against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Butler County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a thorough, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our talented team in Butler County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Butler County, MO DWI Attorney
Each Butler County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Butler County, MO. Our attorneys 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Butler County, MO DWI Attorney
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 to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Butler County, MO area.
Expert Court Representation From a Butler County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Butler County, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, presenting a compelling defense strategy on your behalf. We present supporting evidence and testimony, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. 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 Butler County, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Butler County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Butler County, 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 Butler County, MO residents:
Connect With the Premier Butler County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Butler County, 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 uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Butler County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Butler County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.
