DWI Attorney in Maries County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Maries County, MO can have severe and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Maries County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable Maries County, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to offering you the best possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Maries County, MO, arrange a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Maries County, MO DWI attorneys where you can speak about the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Maries County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
No matter the scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Maries County, MO is crucial. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been charged with 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 Maries County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Maries County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Maries County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Maries County, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Maries 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 Maries 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: Classified as 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, along with the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Maries County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Maries County, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Maries County, MO can be an harrowing experience, especially if you have been imbibing. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation carefully. Here are the steps recommended by 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 area. Maintain your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches, showing you’re not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the police office and follow their instructions – this goes a long way.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination or long-winded conversations. After all, 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 Maries 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 counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Maries 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 tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Maries County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in or around Maries County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial in Maries County, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
A Maries County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Maries County, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Maries County, MO clients 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 Maries County, MO
We start with a thorough, confidential, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our proficient team in Maries County, MO to assess 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 Maries County, MO DWI Attorney
Each Maries County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a tailored defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Maries County, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
A Maries County, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in Negotiating Plea Bargains
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 in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Maries County, MO.
Court Representation From a Maries County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Maries County, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting compelling arguments on your behalf. We cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and present supporting evidence and testimony. Our priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Maries County, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Maries County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the leading DWI attorney in Maries 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 provides expertise in the following areas for Maries 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
Connect With the Premier Maries County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Maries County, 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 Maries County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Maries County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.
