DWI Attorney in Marshall, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Marshall, MO can have serious and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Marshall, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Marshall, MO are devoted to providing you with the best possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Marshall, MO, negotiate a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Marshall, MO DWI attorneys so that you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and get confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Marshall, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
No matter the situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Marshall, 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 a tenacious Marshall, 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 Marshall, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Marshall, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Marshall, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Marshall, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Marshall, MO include:
- First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, 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, penalties can include 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: 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 Marshall, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Marshall, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Marshall, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation carefully. The following are 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. 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 are 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. 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 don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Marshall, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can politely decline to answer by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I would rather not answer without legal counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Marshall, 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 used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can guide you through the legal process 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 Marshall, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in the Marshall, MO area is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial in Marshall, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Marshall, 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 Marshall, 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 Marshall, MO area against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Marshall, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a thorough, confidential, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in Marshall, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Marshall, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Marshall, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Marshall, MO. Our lawyers 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Marshall, MO DWI Attorney
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There might be mitigating circumstances that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our Marshall, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Marshall, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Marshall, MO DWI case proceed to trail, 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, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Marshall, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Marshall, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Marshall, 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 Marshall and beyond:
Contact the Ideal Marshall, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Marshall, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Marshall, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Marshall, 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.
