DWI Attorney in Lafayette County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Lafayette County, MO can have serious 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 Lafayette County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Lafayette County, MO are committed to providing you with the best 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 get your charges in Lafayette County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
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 DWI attorneys in Lafayette County, MO where you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Lafayette County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of your scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Lafayette County, MO is crucial. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for 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 now.
Hiring a determined Lafayette County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Lafayette County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Lafayette County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Lafayette County, MO can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Lafayette 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 Lafayette County, 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: 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: 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: 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, as well as the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Lafayette County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Lafayette County, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Lafayette County, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly 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:
- Remain Calm and Compliant: Pull over safely to the side of the road, signaling as you do so, finding a safe, well-lit area. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with the police 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 – this goes a long way.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. 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 Lafayette County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always politely decline to answer by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I would rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Lafayette 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.
- Contact 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 protect your rights and future. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Lafayette County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in the Lafayette County, MO area is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is committed to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Lafayette County, MO. We provide:
A Lafayette County, 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 Lafayette County, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Lafayette County, 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 Skilled Lafayette County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a in-depth, confidential, free consultation to understand the details of your Lafayette County, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Lafayette 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.
A Lafayette County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Lafayette County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Lafayette County, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the legality of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
A Lafayette County, 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 circumstances that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Lafayette County, MO.
Court Representation From a Lafayette County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Lafayette County, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting a compelling defense strategy 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or minimize any potential penalties in Lafayette County, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Lafayette County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the best DWI attorney in Lafayette County, 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 residents in Lafayette County and beyond:
- 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 Lafayette County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Lafayette County, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Lafayette County, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Lafayette County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.
