Carthage, MO

DWI Attorney in Carthage, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Carthage, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Carthage, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.

Our knowledgeable Carthage, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to offering you the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Carthage, 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 contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Carthage, MO where you can discuss the specifics of your case and receive confidential legal advice.

DWI Attorney in Carthage, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team

No matter your scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Carthage, MO. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for 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 away.

Hiring a tenacious Carthage, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Carthage, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

DWI Attorney in Carthage, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri

DWI charges in Carthage, MO can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Carthage, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.

Penalties for DWI in Carthage, 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: Classified as a “prior offender,” penalties include 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 Carthage, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Carthage, MO

Being pulled over by law enforcement in Carthage, MO can be an harrowing experience, particularly if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. The following are steps recommended by 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 location. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain 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 – this goes a long way.
• Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. You have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement pulls you over, officers will do everything in their power to arrest you or use “strongarm” investigative techniques. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Carthage, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can always politely decline questions by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I would rather not answer without legal advice.”
• Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Carthage, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
• Contact a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: 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 guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

DWI Attorney in Carthage, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense

While facing a DWI charge in Carthage, MO is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Carthage, MO. We provide:

Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Carthage, MO DWI Attorney

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 Carthage, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Carthage, MO area against these accusations. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.

Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Carthage, MO DWI Attorney

We start with a thorough, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the specifics of your Carthage, MO case. This allows our talented team in Carthage, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.

A Carthage, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence

Each Carthage, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Carthage, MO. Our lawyers 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 Carthage, 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 may also be mitigating factors that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Carthage, MO.

Expert Court Representation From a Carthage, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience

Should your Carthage, MO DWI case proceed to trail, 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 primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or minimize any potential penalties in Carthage, MO.

When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Carthage, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the best DWI attorney in Carthage, 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 provides expertise in the following areas for Carthage, MO residents:

• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
• Criminal Lawyer

Contact the Ideal Carthage, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte

Facing a DWI charge in the Carthage, MO area? Do not 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 Carthage, MO.

Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Carthage, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.