DWI Attorney in Maryland Heights, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Maryland Heights, MO can have severe and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Maryland Heights, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our experienced Maryland Heights, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to providing you with the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Maryland Heights, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Maryland Heights, MO so that you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Maryland Heights, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever your scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Maryland Heights, MO is crucial. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been charged with driving 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 right away.
Hiring an aggressive Maryland Heights, 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 Maryland Heights, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Maryland Heights, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Maryland Heights, MO can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Maryland Heights, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Maryland Heights, 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, 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, as well as the suspension of your license.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Maryland Heights, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Maryland Heights, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Maryland Heights, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps you should follow according to 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 spot. Maintain your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay 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’re not a threat and are 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 may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Maryland Heights, 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 Maryland Heights, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. 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.
- Reach Out to 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 experienced legal team can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Maryland Heights, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in the Maryland Heights, MO area is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is committed to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial in Maryland Heights, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Maryland Heights, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Maryland Heights, 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 successfully defended numerous clients in the Maryland Heights, MO area against these accusations. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled DWI Attorney in Maryland Heights, MO
We begin with a in-depth, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our talented team in Maryland Heights, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Maryland Heights, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Maryland Heights, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Maryland Heights, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every angle 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 Maryland Heights, 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 may also be mitigating circumstances that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our Maryland Heights, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Maryland Heights, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Maryland Heights, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting compelling arguments 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or minimize any potential penalties in Maryland Heights, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Maryland Heights, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in Maryland Heights, MO and throughout Missouri – you are 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 Maryland Heights, MO residents:
- Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
Connect With the Premier Maryland Heights, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Maryland Heights, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Place it in the trustworthy hands of the tenacious and experienced DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Maryland Heights, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Maryland Heights, 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 consultation.