DWI Attorney in Hillsboro, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Hillsboro, MO can have serious and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Hillsboro, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced Hillsboro, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to offering you the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Hillsboro, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate 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 Hillsboro, MO where you can speak about the specifics of your case and receive confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Hillsboro, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter your situation, you need the best legal representation available in Hillsboro, MO. 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 another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring an aggressive Hillsboro, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Hillsboro, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Hillsboro, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Hillsboro, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Hillsboro, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Hillsboro, MO amount to:
- 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: 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: Classified as 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: 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 Hillsboro, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Hillsboro, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Hillsboro, 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. Here are the steps recommended by 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. Maintain your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with the police officer.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep 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 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 Hillsboro, 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 would rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Hillsboro, 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 used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of 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 protect your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Hillsboro, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in Hillsboro, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is committed to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Hillsboro, MO. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Hillsboro, 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 Hillsboro, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Hillsboro, MO area against these types of charges. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in Hillsboro, MO
We begin with a in-depth, confidential, free consultation to understand the specifics of your Hillsboro, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Hillsboro, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your situation.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Hillsboro, MO DWI Attorney
Each Hillsboro, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Hillsboro, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the legality of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
A Hillsboro, 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 in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Hillsboro, MO.
Court Representation From a Hillsboro, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Hillsboro, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering 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, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Hillsboro, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Hillsboro, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the best DWI attorney in Hillsboro, 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 residents in Hillsboro 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
Connect With the Premier Hillsboro, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Hillsboro, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Place it in the trustworthy hands of the tenacious and experienced DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Hillsboro, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Hillsboro, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
