DWI Attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Lake St. Louis, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Lake St. Louis, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Lake St. Louis, MO are devoted to providing you with the strongest possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Lake St. Louis, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Lake St. Louis, MO so that you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter the situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Lake St. Louis, MO is crucial. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI 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 the expertise of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring a tenacious Lake St. Louis, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Lake St. Louis, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Lake St. Louis, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Lake St. Louis, 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, 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: 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.
St. Charles County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Charles County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Lake St. Louis, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Lake St. Louis, MO can be an intimidating experience, especially if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. The following are 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 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: 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 may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Lake St. Louis, 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 advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Lake St. Louis, MO, or anywhere else for that matter, as they are subjective and typically used only to establish probable cause to arrest you. An officer might request that you take a portable breath test, or breathalyzer. While Missouri’s implied consent law mandates a one-year license suspension for refusing a breathalyzer after a DWI arrest, this not apply to tests conducted before an arrest. 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 Immediately: 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 safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in or around Lake St. Louis, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Lake St. Louis, MO. Our firm provides:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Lake St. Louis, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Lake St. Louis, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Lake St. Louis, MO clients against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled DWI Attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO
We start with a in-depth, confidential, free case review to understand the specifics of your Lake St. Louis, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Lake St. Louis, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your situation.
A Lake St. Louis, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Lake St. Louis, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Lake St. Louis, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every aspect 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.
A Lake St. Louis, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in 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 factors that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our Lake St. Louis, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Lake St. Louis, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Lake St. Louis, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous 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 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 Lake St. Louis, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Lake St. Louis, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting 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 Lake St. Louis, MO residents:
- Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
- Homicide Lawyer
- 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 Lake St. Louis, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Lake St. Louis, MO area? Don’t 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 uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Lake St. Louis, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Lake St. Louis, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.