DWI Attorney in Hazelwood, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Hazelwood, 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 opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Hazelwood, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable Hazelwood, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to offering you the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Hazelwood, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Hazelwood, MO where you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Hazelwood, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of the scenario, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Hazelwood, MO area is vital. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been charged with driving 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 immediately.
Hiring an aggressive Hazelwood, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Hazelwood, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Hazelwood, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Hazelwood, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Hazelwood, 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 Hazelwood, MO amount to:
- First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, 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, so you could face up to 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: This is a Class C felony, and you can expect a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Hazelwood, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Hazelwood, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Hazelwood, MO can be an intimidating experience, particularly if you have been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation carefully. Here are the steps you should follow according to 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: Keep 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, 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 may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Hazelwood, 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’d rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Hazelwood, 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 tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Hazelwood, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in the Hazelwood, MO area is certainly daunting, with the ideal 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 get a fair trial in Hazelwood, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Hazelwood, 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 Hazelwood, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Hazelwood, 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 Talented DWI Attorney in Hazelwood, MO
We begin with a detailed, no-strings-attached, free case review to understand the specifics of your Hazelwood, MO case. This allows our talented team in Hazelwood, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Hazelwood, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Hazelwood, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a tailored defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Hazelwood, MO. Our attorneys 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.
A Hazelwood, 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 factors that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Hazelwood, MO.
Court Representation From a Hazelwood, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Hazelwood, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, delivering compelling arguments on your behalf. We present supporting evidence and testimony, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. 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 Hazelwood, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Hazelwood, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in Hazelwood, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re 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 Hazelwood, MO residents:
Connect With the Premier Hazelwood, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Hazelwood, MO area? 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 uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Hazelwood, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Hazelwood, 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 consultation.
