DWI Attorney in Ferguson, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Ferguson, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Ferguson, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced Ferguson, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to providing you with the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Ferguson, MO, negotiate a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Ferguson, MO so that you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Ferguson, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter your situation, you need the best legal representation available in Ferguson, MO. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been arrested for driving 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 a tenacious Ferguson, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Ferguson, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Ferguson, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Ferguson, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Ferguson, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Ferguson, 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: 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 Ferguson, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Ferguson, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Ferguson, 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 crucial to handle the situation carefully. The following are steps you should follow according to 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 by taking deep breaths to remain 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, 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. 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 Ferguson, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. 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 Ferguson, MO, or anywhere else for that matter, as they are subjective and typically used only to establish probable cause to arrest you. An officer may ask you to 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney Immediately: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Ferguson, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in Ferguson, MO is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Ferguson, MO. Our firm offers:
A Ferguson, 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 Ferguson, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Ferguson, MO clients against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Ferguson, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a detailed, confidential, free consultation to understand the details of your Ferguson, MO case. This allows our proficient team in Ferguson, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Ferguson, MO DWI Attorney
Every Ferguson, 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 individual circumstances in Ferguson, MO. Our attorneys investigate every aspect 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.
A Ferguson, MO DWI Attorney Who is Adept at 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 circumstances that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Ferguson, MO.
Court Representation From a Ferguson, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Ferguson, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide robust 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 primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Ferguson, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Ferguson, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Ferguson, 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 offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Ferguson and beyond:
Reach Out to the Leading Ferguson, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Ferguson, 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 Ferguson, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Ferguson, MO area by reaching out to 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.
