DWI Attorney in Laclede County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Laclede County, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Laclede County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Laclede County, MO are dedicated to providing you with the strongest possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Laclede County, MO, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
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 Laclede County, MO DWI attorneys where you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and get confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Laclede County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever the situation, you need the best legal representation available in Laclede County, MO. 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 the expertise of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring an aggressive Laclede County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Laclede County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Laclede County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Laclede County, MO can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Laclede County, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Laclede County, MO include:
- 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, so you could face up to 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, along with the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Laclede County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Laclede County, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Laclede County, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial 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, taking deep breaths in order to stay 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, showing you’re not a threat and 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 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 Laclede 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 counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Laclede County, 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 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 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 as Soon as Possible: 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 guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Laclede County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in Laclede County, 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 in Laclede County, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Laclede County, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Laclede County, MO and throughout Missouri, with over 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 Laclede County, 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 DWI Attorney in Laclede County, MO
We begin with a detailed, confidential, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our proficient team in Laclede 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 Laclede County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Laclede County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Laclede County, MO. Our lawyers investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Laclede 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 circumstances that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our Laclede County, MO-area clients.
Court Representation From a Laclede County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Laclede County, 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Laclede County, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Laclede County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the best DWI attorney in Laclede 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 Laclede 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 Laclede County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Laclede County, MO area? Do not 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 Laclede County, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Laclede County, 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.
