DWI Attorney in Howard County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Howard County, MO can have severe and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Howard County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable Howard County, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to offering you the strongest possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Howard County, MO, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest 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 case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Howard County, MO so that you can discuss the specifics of your case and receive confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Howard County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever your situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Howard County, MO area is vital. 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 the help of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring an aggressive Howard County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Howard County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Howard County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Howard County, MO can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Howard 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 Howard County, MO amount to:
- 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: 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, 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: 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 Howard County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Howard County, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Howard County, MO can be an harrowing experience, particularly if you have been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Stay 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 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, 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 pulls you 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 Howard 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 counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Howard 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 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.
- Reach Out to 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 experienced legal team can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Howard County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in Howard County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial in Howard County, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:
A Howard County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Howard 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 had numerous successful results defending Howard County, MO clients against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented Howard County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a detailed, no-strings-attached, free case review to understand the details of your Howard County, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Howard County, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Howard County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Howard 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 individual circumstances in Howard County, MO. Our lawyers investigate every aspect 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 Howard County, MO DWI Attorney
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. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our Howard County, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Howard County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Howard County, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting a compelling defense strategy 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, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Howard County, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Howard County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the leading DWI attorney in Howard County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are 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 Howard 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 Howard County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Howard County, 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 legal team is prepared to defend you and uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Howard County, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Howard County, 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.
