DWI Attorney in Lewis County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Lewis County, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Lewis County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you need the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Lewis County, MO are dedicated to offering you the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Lewis County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Lewis County, MO DWI attorneys so that you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Lewis County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of your situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Lewis County, 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 help of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring an aggressive Lewis County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Lewis County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Lewis County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Lewis County, MO can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Lewis 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 Lewis County, MO amount to:
- 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: 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.
Lewis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Lewis County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Lewis County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Lewis County, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Lewis County, MO can be an intimidating experience, particularly if you have been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation carefully. The following are steps you should follow according to the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Stay 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 area. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep 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 – this goes a long way.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. 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 don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Lewis County, 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 would rather not answer without legal counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Lewis County, 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 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 crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Lewis County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in or around Lewis County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial in Lewis County, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Lewis County, MO DWI Attorney
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 Lewis 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 Lewis County, MO clients against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Lewis County, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a thorough, confidential, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our proficient team in Lewis County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Lewis County, MO DWI Attorney
Every Lewis County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a tailored defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Lewis County, MO. Our attorneys 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Lewis County, MO DWI Attorney
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There might be mitigating circumstances that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Lewis County, MO area.
Expert Court Representation From a Lewis County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Lewis County, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, delivering a compelling defense strategy on your behalf. We present supporting evidence and testimony, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. Our priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Lewis County, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Lewis County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Lewis County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are 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 Lewis County, 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
Contact the Ideal Lewis County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Lewis County, MO area? Do not 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 Lewis County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Lewis County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.