DWI Attorney in DeKalb County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in DeKalb County, 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 DeKalb County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in DeKalb County, MO are committed to providing you with the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in DeKalb County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DeKalb County, MO DWI attorneys so that you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in DeKalb County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of your situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the DeKalb County, MO area is vital. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI 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 the help of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring an aggressive DeKalb 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 DeKalb County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in DeKalb County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in DeKalb County, 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 DeKalb County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in DeKalb County, MO amount to:
- First Offense: You could receive a jail term of up to 6 months, fines 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, 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, along with the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in DeKalb County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in DeKalb County, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement in DeKalb County, MO can be an harrowing experience, especially if you have been imbibing. 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: Pull over safely to the side of the road, signaling as you do so, finding a safe, well-lit location. 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, showing you’re not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the officer and follow their instructions – this goes a long way.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination or long-winded conversations. After all, you have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement has you pulled 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 DeKalb County, 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 counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in DeKalb 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.
- Call a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in DeKalb County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in or around DeKalb County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial in DeKalb County, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
A DeKalb County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in DeKalb County, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending DeKalb County, MO clients against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled DWI Attorney in DeKalb County, MO
We start with a thorough, no-obligation, free case review to understand the details of your DeKalb County, MO case. This allows our talented team in DeKalb County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a DeKalb County, MO DWI Attorney
Each DeKalb County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in DeKalb County, MO. Our lawyers meticulously 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our DeKalb 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 factors that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around DeKalb County, MO.
Expert Court Representation From a DeKalb County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your DeKalb County, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, 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 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 DeKalb County, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around DeKalb County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the ideal DWI attorney in DeKalb County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing 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 residents in DeKalb 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
Reach Out to the Leading DeKalb County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in DeKalb County, 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 DeKalb County, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the DeKalb County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.
