DWI Attorney in Macon County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Macon County, MO can have severe 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 Macon County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable Macon County, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to offering you the strongest possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Macon County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Macon County, MO DWI attorneys so that you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Macon County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever your scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Macon 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 another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the expertise of Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring a determined Macon County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Macon County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Macon County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Macon County, MO can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Macon County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Macon County, MO include:
- First Offense: You could receive a jail term of up to 6 months, 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: 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, along with the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Macon County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Macon County, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Macon County, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation carefully. The following are 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 spot. Maintain 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, showing you are not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the police office 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 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 Macon County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can 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 Macon 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 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: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Macon County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in the Macon County, MO area is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Macon County, MO. Our firm provides:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Macon 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 Macon County, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Macon County, MO area against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in Macon County, MO
We start with a thorough, no-obligation, free case review to understand the details of your Macon County, MO case. This allows our talented team in Macon 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 Macon County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Macon 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 customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Macon County, MO. Our lawyers meticulously 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 Macon 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 circumstances that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our Macon County, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Macon County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Macon County, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide robust 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 primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or minimize any potential penalties in Macon County, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Macon County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Macon County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing 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 residents in Macon County and beyond:
- 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
Connect With the Premier Macon County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Macon County, MO, 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 Macon County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Macon 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.
