DWI Attorney in Chesterfield, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Chesterfield, MO can have severe and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Chesterfield, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Chesterfield, MO are dedicated to providing you with the best possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Chesterfield, MO, 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 Chesterfield, MO so that you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Chesterfield, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of the scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Chesterfield, MO. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been charged with driving under the influence of marijuana or another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the help of Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring a determined Chesterfield, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Chesterfield, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Chesterfield, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Chesterfield, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Chesterfield, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Chesterfield, 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: Now considered a “persistent offender” and a Class E felony offense, so you could face up to 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, as well as the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Chesterfield, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Chesterfield, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Chesterfield, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps recommended by 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 area. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Place 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 – this goes a long way.
- 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 are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, 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 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.
- 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 knowledgeable lawyers can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Chesterfield, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in Chesterfield, MO is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial in Chesterfield, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, MO clients against these types of charges. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in Chesterfield, MO
We begin with a in-depth, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the details of your Chesterfield, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Chesterfield, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Chesterfield, MO DWI Attorney
Every Chesterfield, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Chesterfield, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every aspect 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 Chesterfield, MO DWI Attorney Who is Adept at Negotiating Plea Bargains
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. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Chesterfield, MO.
Court Representation From a Chesterfield, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Chesterfield, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, delivering 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or minimize any potential penalties in Chesterfield, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Chesterfield, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the leading DWI attorney in Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, MO residents:
- 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 Chesterfield, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Chesterfield, MO area? Don’t leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Chesterfield, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Chesterfield, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
