DWI Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Cape Girardeau, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Cape Girardeau, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our knowledgeable Cape Girardeau, 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 circumstances of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Cape Girardeau, MO, negotiate a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Cape Girardeau, MO so that you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever your situation, you need the best legal representation available in Cape Girardeau, MO. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for driving while intoxicated under the influence of marijuana or another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a determined Cape Girardeau, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Cape Girardeau, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Cape Girardeau, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Cape Girardeau, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Cape Girardeau, 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Cape Girardeau, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Cape Girardeau, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped 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 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: Keep your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches your vehicle to demonstrate you are not a threat and are 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 may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Cape Girardeau, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always 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 Cape Girardeau, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. An officer might request that you 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in Cape Girardeau, MO is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial in Cape Girardeau, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
A Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Cape Girardeau, MO area against these accusations. 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 Cape Girardeau, MO
We begin with a thorough, confidential, free consultation to understand the specifics of your Cape Girardeau, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Cape Girardeau, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Cape Girardeau, MO DWI Attorney
Every Cape Girardeau, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Cape Girardeau, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every angle of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the legality of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
A Cape Girardeau, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in Negotiating Plea Bargains
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your 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 clients in the Cape Girardeau, MO area.
Court Representation From a Cape Girardeau, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Cape Girardeau, MO DWI case proceed to trail, 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, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Cape Girardeau, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Cape Girardeau, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the best DWI attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO and throughout Missouri – you are 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 residents in Cape Girardeau 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
Reach Out to the Leading Cape Girardeau, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Cape Girardeau, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
