DWI Attorney in Festus, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Festus, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Festus, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable Festus, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Festus, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser penalty through 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 case review with one of our Festus, MO DWI attorneys where you can discuss the specifics of your case and get confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Festus, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever the scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Festus, 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 the expertise of Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring a determined Festus, 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 Festus, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Festus, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Festus, MO can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Festus, 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 Festus, 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: 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: 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 Festus, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Festus, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Festus, MO can be an harrowing experience, especially if you have been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. Here are the 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 spot. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay 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 are not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the officer 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 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 Festus, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. 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 Festus, 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Festus, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in Festus, MO is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Festus, MO. Our firm offers:
A Festus, 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 Festus, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Festus, MO clients against these types of charges. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented Festus, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a detailed, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the specifics of your Festus, MO case. This allows our proficient team in Festus, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Festus, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Festus, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Festus, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every angle of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
A Festus, 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 Festus, MO area.
Expert Court Representation From a Festus, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Festus, MO DWI case goes to trial, 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 priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Festus, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Festus, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the leading DWI attorney in Festus, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team offers expertise in the following areas for Festus, MO residents:
- 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 Festus, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Festus, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Festus, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Festus, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
