DWI Attorney in Lafayette, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Lafayette, MO can have severe 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 Lafayette, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable Lafayette, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to offering you the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Lafayette, MO, negotiate a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Lafayette, MO DWI attorneys so that you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Lafayette, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of your situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Lafayette, 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 some other intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring an aggressive 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
DWI charges in Lafayette, MO can result in severe consequences, 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.
The penalties for DWI in Lafayette, MO include:
- First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, 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, 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, as well as the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Lafayette, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Lafayette, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Lafayette, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been drinking. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation carefully. The following are 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. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay 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, showing you are not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the police office and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination or long-winded conversations. 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, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always politely decline questions 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 Lafayette, 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 used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Contact a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: 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. 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 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, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Lafayette, MO. We provide:
A Lafayette, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Lafayette, 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 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 Talented Lafayette, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a in-depth, no-obligation, free case review to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our proficient team in Lafayette, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Lafayette, MO DWI Attorney
Each Lafayette, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a tailored defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Lafayette, MO. Our attorneys 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Lafayette, 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 to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our Lafayette, MO-area clients.
Court Representation From a Lafayette, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Lafayette, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering compelling arguments 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 Lafayette, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Lafayette, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the ideal 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 residents in Lafayette 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
Reach Out to the Leading Lafayette, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Lafayette, MO area? Do not leave your future to chance. Leave it to the skilled and tenacious DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Lafayette, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Lafayette, 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 case review.
