DWI Attorney in Kirkwood, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Kirkwood, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Kirkwood, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable Kirkwood, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to providing you with the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Kirkwood, MO, arrange a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Kirkwood, MO so that you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Kirkwood, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter the situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Kirkwood, MO area is vital. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been charged with driving 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 Kirkwood, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Kirkwood, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Kirkwood, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Kirkwood, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Kirkwood, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Kirkwood, MO amount to:
- First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, 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: 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, along with the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Kirkwood, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Kirkwood, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Kirkwood, MO can be an harrowing experience, especially if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Stay Calm and Compliant: Pull over safely to the side of the road, signaling as you do so, finding a safe, well-lit location. Maintain your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay 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 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. After all, you have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement has you pulled 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 Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call 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 knowledgeable lawyers can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Kirkwood, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in or around Kirkwood, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Kirkwood, MO. Our firm provides:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Kirkwood, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Kirkwood, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Kirkwood, MO area against these types of charges. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented Kirkwood, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a detailed, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our skilled team in Kirkwood, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your situation.
A Kirkwood, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Kirkwood, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a tailored defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Kirkwood, MO. Our lawyers 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Kirkwood, 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 circumstances that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Kirkwood, MO.
Court Representation From a Kirkwood, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Kirkwood, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering a compelling defense strategy on your behalf. We cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and present supporting evidence and testimony. Our priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Kirkwood, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Kirkwood, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Kirkwood, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team provides expertise in the following areas for Kirkwood, 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
Contact the Ideal Kirkwood, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Kirkwood, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.
