DWI Attorney in Harrison County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Harrison County, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Harrison County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you need the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced Harrison County, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the best possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Harrison County, MO, arrange a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Harrison County, MO DWI attorneys so that you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and get expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Harrison County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of your scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Harrison County, MO is crucial. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for driving while intoxicated 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 immediately.
Hiring an aggressive Harrison County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Harrison County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Harrison County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Harrison County, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Harrison County, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Harrison 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 Harrison County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Harrison County, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement in Harrison County, MO can be an harrowing experience, particularly if you have been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation carefully. The following are steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Remain Calm and Compliant: Safely pull over to the side of the road, using your signal to indicate your intentions, and find a safe, well-lit spot. 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 your vehicle to demonstrate you are not a threat and are cooperative. Politely greet the police office 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 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 Harrison County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can always 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 Harrison 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 may ask you to 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 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 skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Harrison County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in the Harrison 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 dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Harrison County, MO. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Harrison County, MO DWI Attorney
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 Harrison County, 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 Harrison County, MO clients against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Harrison County, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a thorough, confidential, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our proficient team in Harrison County, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Harrison County, MO DWI Attorney
Each Harrison County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Harrison County, MO. Our lawyers investigate every angle of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Harrison County, MO DWI Attorney
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating circumstances that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Harrison County, MO.
Expert Court Representation From a Harrison County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Harrison County, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting a compelling defense strategy 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 Harrison County, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Harrison County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the leading DWI attorney in Harrison 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 offers expertise in the following areas for Harrison County, 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
Contact the Ideal Harrison County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Harrison County, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Leave it to the skilled and tenacious DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Harrison County, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Harrison County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.
