DWI Attorney in Clark County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Clark County, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Clark County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable Clark County, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Clark County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
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 Clark County, MO where you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Clark County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever your scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Clark County, MO is crucial. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI 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 Clark County, 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 Clark County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Clark County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Clark County, MO can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Clark County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Clark 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, 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, along with the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Clark County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Clark County, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement in Clark County, MO can be an harrowing experience, especially if you have been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation carefully. The following are steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Remain 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 spot. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay 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 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. 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 don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Clark County, 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 would rather not answer without legal counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Clark County, 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled 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 right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Clark County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in Clark County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial in Clark County, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:
A Clark County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
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 Clark County, 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 Clark County, 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 Clark County, MO
We begin with a detailed, confidential, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our proficient team in Clark County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your situation.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Clark County, MO DWI Attorney
Each Clark County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Clark County, MO. Our lawyers 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Clark County, MO DWI Attorney
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating circumstances that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Clark County, MO.
Court Representation From a Clark County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Clark County, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering compelling arguments on your behalf. We present supporting evidence and testimony, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. Our primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Clark County, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Clark County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the ideal DWI attorney in Clark 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 residents in Clark 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
Contact the Ideal Clark County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Clark 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 Clark County, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Clark 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.
