DWI Attorney in Lewis County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Lewis County, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Lewis County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our experienced Lewis County, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to providing you with the best 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 reduce or dismiss your charges in Lewis County, MO, negotiate a lesser punishment 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 Lewis County, MO so that you can speak about the specifics of your case and receive confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Lewis County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever the scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Lewis County, 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 expertise of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring an aggressive Lewis County, 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 Lewis County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Lewis County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Lewis County, MO can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Lewis County, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Lewis County, MO include:
- 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: 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: Now considered 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: 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: 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 Lewis County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Lewis County, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Lewis County, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps you should follow according to 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. 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 your vehicle to demonstrate you are not a threat and are cooperative. Politely greet the officer and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. After all, you have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement has you pulled 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 Lewis County, 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 counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Lewis County, 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 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 expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Lewis County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in Lewis County, 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 receive a fair trial in Lewis County, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm offers:
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 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 Lewis County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a detailed, no-strings-attached, free case review to understand the details of your Lewis County, MO case. This allows our talented team in Lewis County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
A Lewis County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
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 craft a tailored defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Lewis County, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every angle 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 Lewis County, 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. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Lewis County, MO.
Court Representation From a Lewis County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Lewis County, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide robust 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 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 charged with a DWI in or around Lewis County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the ideal DWI attorney in Lewis County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing 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:
- 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 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 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 immediately at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.
