DWI Attorney in Madison County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Madison County, MO can have serious 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 Madison County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Madison County, MO are dedicated to offering you the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Madison County, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Madison County, MO DWI attorneys where you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and get expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Madison County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of the scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Madison County, MO is crucial. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for 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 immediately.
Hiring an aggressive Madison 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. Call a DWI attorney in Madison County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Madison County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Madison County, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Madison 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 Madison 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: 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: 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 Madison County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Madison County, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Madison County, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential 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 area. 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 police office and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination or long-winded conversations. You have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement pulls you over, officers may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Madison County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can politely decline questions 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 Madison 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 tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call 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 legal team can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Madison County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in Madison County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Madison County, MO. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Madison 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 Madison County, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Madison County, MO clients against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in Madison County, MO
We start with a detailed, confidential, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our skilled team in Madison County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your situation.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Madison County, MO DWI Attorney
Every Madison County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Madison County, MO. Our lawyers 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.
A Madison County, MO DWI Attorney Who is Adept at Negotiating Plea Bargains
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your 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 Madison County, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Madison County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Madison 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 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 Madison County, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Madison County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the ideal DWI attorney in Madison County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting 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 Madison County, MO residents:
Reach Out to the Leading Madison County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Madison 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 Madison County, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Madison County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.
