Lafayette, MO

DWI Attorney in Lafayette, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Lafayette, MO can have severe and long-lasting, 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 Lafayette, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.

Our experienced Lafayette, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to offering you the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Lafayette, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser punishment through 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 Lafayette, MO DWI attorneys where you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice and guidance.

DWI Attorney in Lafayette, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team

Regardless of your scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Lafayette, MO. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been charged with 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 Lafayette, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Lafayette, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.

DWI Attorney in Lafayette, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri

Lafayette, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Lafayette, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.

Penalties for DWI in Lafayette, 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, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Lafayette, MO Area

Being stopped by law enforcement in Lafayette, MO can be an harrowing experience, especially if you have been drinking. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps you should follow according to the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:

• Remain 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 your vehicle to demonstrate you’re not a threat and are cooperative. Politely greet the officer 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 are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Lafayette, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can always politely decline questions 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, MO, or anywhere else for that matter, as they are subjective and typically used only to establish probable cause to arrest you. 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 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: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

DWI Attorney in Lafayette, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help

Facing a DWI charge in or around Lafayette, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Lafayette, MO. We provide:

Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Lafayette, MO DWI Attorney

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 Lafayette, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Lafayette, MO clients 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 Skilled DWI Attorney in Lafayette, MO

We begin with a in-depth, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our talented team in Lafayette, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.

Personalized Defense Strategies From a Lafayette, MO DWI Attorney

Every Lafayette, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Lafayette, MO. Our lawyers 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 Lafayette, 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 may also be mitigating factors that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Lafayette, MO.

Expert Court Representation From a Lafayette, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience

If your Lafayette, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting compelling arguments on your behalf. We present supporting evidence and testimony, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. Our primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Lafayette, MO.

When you are charged with a DWI in or around Lafayette, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the leading DWI attorney in Lafayette, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re 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 Lafayette, MO residents:

• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
• Criminal Lawyer

Connect With the Premier Lafayette, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte

If you’re facing a DWI charge in Lafayette, 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, MO.

Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Lafayette, 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.