DWI Attorney in Livingston County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Livingston County, MO can have severe 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 Livingston County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced Livingston County, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the strongest possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Livingston County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Livingston County, MO DWI attorneys so that you can discuss the specifics of your case and get expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Livingston County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of the scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Livingston County, MO. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been arrested for driving while intoxicated under the influence of marijuana or another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the help of Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring a determined Livingston 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 Livingston County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Livingston County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Livingston County, MO can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Livingston County, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Livingston County, MO amount to:
- 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: 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, 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: 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 Livingston County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Livingston County, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Livingston County, MO can be an harrowing experience, particularly if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps recommended by 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 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’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. 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 are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Livingston County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can always politely decline to answer 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 Livingston 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 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 as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced 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 Livingston County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in or around Livingston 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, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Livingston County, MO. We provide:
A Livingston County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Livingston County, MO and throughout Missouri, with over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Livingston County, MO area against these accusations. 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 Livingston County, MO
We start with a thorough, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the details of your Livingston County, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Livingston County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Livingston County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Livingston County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a tailored defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Livingston County, MO. Our lawyers 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.
A Livingston County, 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 may also be mitigating circumstances that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Livingston County, MO area.
Court Representation From a Livingston County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Livingston County, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, presenting 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Livingston County, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Livingston County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Livingston County, 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 provides expertise in the following areas for Livingston 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 Livingston County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Livingston County, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Leave it to the skilled and tenacious DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Livingston County, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Livingston County, MO area by calling 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.
