DWI Attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Lake St. Louis, 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 opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Lake St. Louis, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Lake St. Louis, MO are dedicated to offering you the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Lake St. Louis, MO, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Lake St. Louis, MO DWI attorneys where you can discuss the specifics of your case and receive confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of your scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Lake St. Louis, 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 some other intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the help of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring a determined Lake St. Louis, 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 Lake St. Louis, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Lake St. Louis, MO can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Lake St. Louis, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Lake St. Louis, MO amount to:
- 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: 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.
DWI Attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Lake St. Louis, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Lake St. Louis, MO can be an harrowing experience, especially if you have been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps you should follow according to 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 spot. Maintain your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with the 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 or long-winded conversations. 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 always 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 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 may ask you to 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 tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Contact a DWI Attorney Immediately: 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 safeguard your rights and future. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in or around Lake St. Louis, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial in Lake St. Louis, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm offers:
A Lake St. Louis, 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 Lake St. Louis, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Lake St. Louis, 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 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 proficient team in Lake St. Louis, MO to evaluate 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 Lake St. Louis, MO DWI Attorney
Every Lake St. Louis, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a tailored defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Lake St. Louis, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every angle 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Lake St. Louis, MO DWI Attorney
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 to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Lake St. Louis, MO area.
Court Representation From a Lake St. Louis, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Lake St. Louis, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous 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 primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Lake St. Louis, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Lake St. Louis, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the best DWI attorney in Lake St. Louis, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting 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 Lake St. Louis, 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
Contact the Ideal Lake St. Louis, MO DWI Attorney Today | 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 safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Lake St. Louis, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Lake St. Louis, 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 case review.
