Independence, MO

DWI Attorney in Independence, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Independence, MO can have severe and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Independence, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.

Our experienced Independence, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to offering you the best possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Independence, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.

Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Independence, MO where you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.

DWI Attorney in Independence, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team

Regardless of the scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Independence, 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 right now.

Hiring an aggressive Independence, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Independence, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

DWI Attorney in Independence, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri

Independence, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Independence, 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 Independence, 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: Along with 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 Independence, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Independence, MO Area

Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Independence, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been imbibing. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. Here are the 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. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
• Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Place your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches your vehicle to demonstrate you’re not a threat and are 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 may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Independence, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can politely decline to answer 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 Independence, 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
• Contact a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.

DWI Attorney in Independence, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense

While facing a DWI charge in Independence, MO 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, making sure you get a fair trial in Independence, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm offers:

Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Independence, MO DWI Attorney

The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Independence, MO and throughout Missouri, with over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Independence, MO clients against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.

An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Independence, MO DWI Attorney

We begin with a detailed, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our talented team in Independence, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.

Personalized Defense Strategies From a Independence, MO DWI Attorney

Each Independence, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Independence, MO. Our lawyers investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the legality of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.

A Independence, 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 in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Independence, MO area.

Court Representation From a Independence, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience

Should your Independence, 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 priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Independence, MO.

When you are charged with a DWI in or around Independence, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the best DWI attorney in Independence, 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 provides expertise in the following areas for Independence, 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

Reach Out to the Leading Independence, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte

Facing a DWI charge in the Independence, MO area? 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 Independence, MO.

Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Independence, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.