DWI Attorney in Crestwood, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Crestwood, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Crestwood, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Crestwood, MO are committed to providing you with the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Crestwood, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Crestwood, MO so that you can discuss the specifics of your case and get confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Crestwood, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
No matter your scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Crestwood, MO is crucial. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for driving while intoxicated under the influence of marijuana or some other intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the expertise of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring an aggressive Crestwood, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Crestwood, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Crestwood, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Crestwood, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Crestwood, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Crestwood, 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: 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: This is a Class C felony, and you can expect a prison sentence of up to 15 years, as well as the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Crestwood, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Crestwood, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Crestwood, 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 essential to handle the situation with care. Here are the 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 area. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with the officer.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep 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, 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 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 Crestwood, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can politely decline to answer by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I’d rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Crestwood, 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 used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Crestwood, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in Crestwood, 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, making sure you get a fair trial in Crestwood, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:
A Crestwood, 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 Crestwood, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Crestwood, 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 DWI Attorney in Crestwood, MO
We begin with a thorough, no-obligation, free case review to understand the specifics of your Crestwood, MO case. This allows our proficient team in Crestwood, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Crestwood, MO DWI Attorney
Every Crestwood, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Crestwood, MO. Our lawyers 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 Crestwood, 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 circumstances that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Crestwood, MO area.
Court Representation From a Crestwood, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Crestwood, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, 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 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 Crestwood, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Crestwood, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the leading DWI attorney in Crestwood, 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 Crestwood, MO residents:
Contact the Ideal Crestwood, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Crestwood, MO area? Don’t leave your future to chance. Place it in the trustworthy hands of the tenacious and experienced DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Crestwood, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Crestwood, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
