DWI Attorney in Kearney, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Kearney, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Kearney, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced Kearney, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Kearney, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser punishment via 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 consultation with one of our Kearney, MO DWI attorneys where you can speak about the specifics of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Kearney, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever your situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Kearney, MO is crucial. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge 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 expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a tenacious Kearney, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Kearney, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Kearney, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Kearney, MO can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Kearney, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Kearney, MO include:
- First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, 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, 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, as well as the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Kearney, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Kearney, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Kearney, MO can be an harrowing experience, especially if you have been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation carefully. Here are the steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Stay Calm and Compliant: Safely pull over to the side of the road, using your signal to indicate your intentions, and find a safe, well-lit spot. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with the police officer.
- 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 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 Kearney, 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 counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Kearney, 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 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is critical to seek the advice of 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. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Kearney, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in Kearney, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Kearney, MO. We provide:
A Kearney, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
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 Kearney, 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 Kearney, MO area 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 Kearney, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a in-depth, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our proficient team in Kearney, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your situation.
A Kearney, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Kearney, 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 Kearney, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every angle 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 Kearney, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in Negotiating Plea Bargains
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 to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Kearney, MO area.
Court Representation From a Kearney, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Kearney, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, presenting compelling arguments on your behalf. We cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and present supporting evidence and testimony. 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 Kearney, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Kearney, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the ideal DWI attorney in Kearney, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing 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 Kearney, MO residents:
Reach Out to the Leading Kearney, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Kearney, 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 Kearney, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Kearney, 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.
