DWI Attorney in Kennett, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Kennett, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Kennett, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our experienced Kennett, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to offering you the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Kennett, MO, negotiate a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Kennett, MO DWI attorneys so that you can discuss the specifics of your case and get confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Kennett, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of your situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Kennett, MO area is vital. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge 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 the help of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring a tenacious Kennett, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Kennett, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Kennett, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Kennett, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Kennett, 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 Kennett, 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: 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, as well as the suspension of your license.
Dunklin County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Dunklin County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Kennett, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Kennett, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement in Kennett, MO can be an intimidating experience, particularly if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps recommended by 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 spot. Maintain 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 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 may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Kennett, 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’d rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Kennett, 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 used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney Immediately: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Kennett, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in or around Kennett, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Kennett, MO. We provide:
A Kennett, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
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 Kennett, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Kennett, 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 Talented DWI Attorney in Kennett, MO
We begin with a thorough, confidential, free case review to understand the details of your Kennett, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Kennett, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Kennett, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Kennett, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a tailored defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Kennett, MO. Our lawyers meticulously 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.
A Kennett, MO DWI Attorney Who is Adept at Negotiating Plea Bargains
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There might be mitigating factors that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Kennett, MO.
Expert Court Representation From a Kennett, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Kennett, MO DWI case go 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 Kennett, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Kennett, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Kennett, MO and throughout Missouri – you are protecting 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 Kennett and beyond:
- Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
Contact the Ideal Kennett, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Kennett, 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 safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Kennett, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Kennett, 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 consultation.