DWI Attorney in Lincoln County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Lincoln County, MO can have serious and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Lincoln County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable Lincoln County, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to providing you with the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Lincoln County, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Lincoln County, MO so that you can speak about the specifics of your case and get confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Lincoln County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of the scenario, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Lincoln County, MO area is vital. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana or another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the expertise of Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring an aggressive Lincoln County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Lincoln County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Lincoln County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Lincoln County, MO can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Lincoln County, 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.
The penalties for DWI in Lincoln County, 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: 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: 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, as well as the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Lincoln County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Lincoln County, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Lincoln County, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been imbibing. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. The following are 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 are not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the officer and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. 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 Lincoln County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always politely decline to answer 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 Lincoln County, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. 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: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Lincoln County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in or around Lincoln County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Lincoln County, MO. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, 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 Lincoln County, MO area against these types of charges. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Lincoln County, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a in-depth, confidential, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our proficient team in Lincoln County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
A Lincoln County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Lincoln County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Lincoln County, 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 Lincoln County, MO DWI Attorney
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating factors that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Lincoln County, MO.
Court Representation From a Lincoln County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Lincoln County, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, 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 minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Lincoln County, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Lincoln County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the best DWI attorney in Lincoln County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team provides expertise in the following areas for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Lincoln County, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Lincoln County, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Lincoln County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.
