DWI Attorney in Dunklin County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Dunklin County, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Dunklin County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Dunklin County, MO are committed to providing you with the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Dunklin County, MO, arrange a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Dunklin County, MO DWI attorneys so that you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Dunklin County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of the situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Dunklin County, MO area is vital. 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 expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring a determined Dunklin 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. Call a DWI attorney in Dunklin County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Dunklin County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Dunklin County, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Dunklin County, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Dunklin County, MO include:
- 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: Now considered 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: 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 Dunklin County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Dunklin County, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Dunklin County, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. The following are 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 spot. Maintain your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
- 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 or long-winded conversations. 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 Dunklin 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 Dunklin County, 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.
- Contact 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 legal team can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Dunklin County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in Dunklin County, MO is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial in Dunklin County, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm offers:
A Dunklin County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
With over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense, the DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Dunklin County, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Dunklin County, MO area 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 Skilled Dunklin County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a detailed, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the specifics of your Dunklin County, MO case. This allows our talented team in Dunklin County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Dunklin County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Dunklin County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Dunklin County, MO. Our attorneys 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 Dunklin County, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in 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 the Dunklin County, MO area.
Expert Court Representation From a Dunklin County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Dunklin County, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, delivering 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 Dunklin County, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Dunklin County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the leading DWI attorney in Dunklin County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are securing 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 residents in Dunklin County and beyond:
Reach Out to the Leading Dunklin County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Dunklin County, MO area? Do not 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 Dunklin County, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Dunklin County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.
