DWI Attorney in Jackson County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Jackson County, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Jackson County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Jackson County, MO are devoted to offering you the best possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Jackson County, MO, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Jackson County, MO DWI attorneys where you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Jackson County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever the scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Jackson County, MO is crucial. 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 Jackson County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Jackson County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Jackson County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Jackson County, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Jackson County, 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 Jackson County, 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: 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: 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: 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, as well as the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Jackson County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Jackson County, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Jackson County, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. The following are 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 by taking deep breaths to remain 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 officer and follow their instructions – this goes a long way.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. 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 Jackson County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. 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 Jackson 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 might request that you take a portable breath test, or breathalyzer. While Missouri’s implied consent law mandates a one-year license suspension for refusing a breathalyzer after a DWI arrest, this not apply to tests conducted before an arrest. These tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Contact 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 expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Jackson County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in Jackson County, MO is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Jackson County, MO. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Jackson County, MO DWI Attorney
With over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense, the DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Jackson County, 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 Jackson County, MO area against these accusations. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled DWI Attorney in Jackson County, MO
We begin with a detailed, confidential, free case review to understand the specifics of your Jackson County, MO case. This allows our proficient team in Jackson County, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Jackson County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Jackson County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a tailored defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Jackson County, MO. Our attorneys 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Jackson County, MO DWI Attorney
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There might be mitigating factors that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our Jackson County, MO-area clients.
Court Representation From a Jackson County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Jackson County, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide robust 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 minimize any potential penalties in Jackson County, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Jackson County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the ideal DWI attorney in Jackson County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are 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 Jackson County 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 Jackson County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Jackson County, MO area? Do not leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Jackson County, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Jackson 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.
