DWI Attorney in Johnson County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Johnson County, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Johnson County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our experienced Johnson County, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to providing you with the best possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Johnson County, MO, arrange 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 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Johnson County, MO so that you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Johnson County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of the situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Johnson County, MO is crucial. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI 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 help of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a tenacious Johnson County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Johnson County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Johnson County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Johnson County, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Johnson 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 Johnson 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: 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 Johnson County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Johnson County, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Johnson County, MO can be an intimidating experience, particularly if you have been imbibing. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation carefully. 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. Maintain your composure by taking deep breaths to remain 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 police office and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination or long-winded conversations. 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 Johnson County, 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 Johnson 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 may ask you to 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 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, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Johnson County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in Johnson County, MO is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Johnson County, MO. Our firm provides:
A Johnson County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Johnson County, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 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 Johnson County, MO clients against these accusations. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled DWI Attorney in Johnson County, MO
We start with a detailed, confidential, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our proficient team in Johnson County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Johnson County, MO DWI Attorney
Each Johnson County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a tailored defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Johnson County, 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Johnson County, MO DWI Attorney
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating factors that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Johnson County, MO.
Expert Court Representation From a Johnson County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Johnson County, MO DWI case go 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 minimize any potential penalties in Johnson County, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Johnson County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Johnson County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re 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 Johnson 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
Connect With the Premier Johnson County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Johnson County, MO, 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 Johnson County, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Johnson County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.
