DWI Attorney in Manchester, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Manchester, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Manchester, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Manchester, MO are dedicated 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 reduce or dismiss your charges in Manchester, MO, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Manchester, MO DWI attorneys where you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Manchester, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of your situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Manchester, MO area is vital. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana or some other intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a determined Manchester, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Manchester, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Manchester, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Manchester, MO can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Manchester, 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 Manchester, MO amount to:
- 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, 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: This is a Class C felony, and you can expect a prison sentence of up to 15 years, as well as the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Manchester, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Manchester, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Manchester, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been drinking. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps you should follow according to the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Stay Calm and Compliant: Safely pull over to the side of the road, using your signal to indicate your intentions, and find a safe, well-lit area. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
- 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 or long-winded conversations. 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 Manchester, 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 advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Manchester, 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 portable 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: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Manchester, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in the Manchester, MO area is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial in Manchester, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Manchester, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Manchester, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Manchester, MO clients 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 Manchester, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a thorough, no-strings-attached, free case review to understand the details of your Manchester, MO case. This allows our proficient team in Manchester, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
A Manchester, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Manchester, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Manchester, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Manchester, MO DWI Attorney
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your 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 Manchester, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Manchester, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Manchester, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, delivering compelling arguments 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 reduce any potential penalties in Manchester, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Manchester, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Manchester, MO and throughout Missouri – you are 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 residents in Manchester and beyond:
Contact the Ideal Manchester, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Manchester, MO area? Don’t 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 Manchester, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Manchester, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
