DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Franklin County, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Franklin County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Franklin County, MO are committed to providing you with the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Franklin County, MO, negotiate a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Franklin County, MO where you can discuss the specifics of your case and get confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
No matter your situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Franklin County, MO is crucial. 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 some other intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a determined Franklin County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Franklin County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Franklin County, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Franklin 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 Franklin County, MO include:
- 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, 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, as well as the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Franklin County, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Franklin County, MO can be an harrowing experience, especially if you have been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. 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 area. Maintain your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with the 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 police office 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 don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Franklin County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always 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 Franklin 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 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Contact a DWI Attorney Immediately: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in the Franklin County, MO area is certainly daunting, with the right 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 receive a fair trial in Franklin County, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Franklin County, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Franklin County, MO and throughout Missouri, with over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Franklin County, MO area against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO
We start with a thorough, confidential, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in Franklin 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 Franklin County, MO DWI Attorney
Every Franklin County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a tailored defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Franklin County, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every aspect 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Franklin County, MO DWI Attorney
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 to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our Franklin County, MO-area clients.
Court Representation From a Franklin County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Franklin County, MO DWI case goes to trial, 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 reduce any potential penalties in Franklin County, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Franklin County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in Franklin 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 Franklin 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 Franklin County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Franklin County, MO area? Do not 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 Franklin County, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Franklin 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 case review.
