DWI Attorney in Dent County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Dent County, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Dent County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our experienced Dent County, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to providing you with the best possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Dent County, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Dent County, MO where you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and get confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Dent County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of your situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Dent County, MO is crucial. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been charged with 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 expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring a tenacious Dent County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Dent County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Dent County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Dent County, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Dent County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Dent County, MO include:
- 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: 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.
Dent County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Dent County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Dent County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Dent County, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Dent County, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been drinking. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps you should follow according to 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, 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 officer 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 don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Dent County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can 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 Dent County, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. An officer might request that you 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 Immediately: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team 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 Dent County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in the Dent County, MO area is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Dent County, MO. Our firm offers:
A Dent County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Dent County, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Dent County, MO area against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Dent County, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a in-depth, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our skilled team in Dent County, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your situation.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Dent County, MO DWI Attorney
Every Dent County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Dent County, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every angle 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 Dent County, 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 might 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 Dent County, MO.
Expert Court Representation From a Dent County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Dent County, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide robust 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or minimize any potential penalties in Dent County, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Dent County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the leading DWI attorney in Dent County, 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 Dent County, MO residents:
- Gun Crime Lawyer
- 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
Connect With the Premier Dent County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Dent County, 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 lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Dent County, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Dent County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.