DWI Attorney in Maryland Heights, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Maryland Heights, MO can have serious and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Maryland Heights, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you need the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Maryland Heights, MO are devoted to providing you with 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 Maryland Heights, MO, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Maryland Heights, MO where you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Maryland Heights, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever the scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Maryland Heights, MO is crucial. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been charged with driving under the influence of marijuana or another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the expertise of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring a tenacious 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 dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Maryland Heights, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Maryland Heights, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Maryland Heights, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, like 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) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Maryland Heights, 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: 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: Now considered 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: 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 Maryland Heights, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Maryland Heights, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Maryland Heights, MO can be an intimidating experience, especially if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. The following are 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 location. Maintain your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with the officer.
- 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 officer 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 pulls you 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 Maryland Heights, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. 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 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 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 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 Immediately: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Maryland Heights, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in Maryland Heights, MO is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial in Maryland Heights, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:
A Maryland Heights, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
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 Maryland Heights, MO and throughout Missouri. 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 types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented Maryland Heights, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a in-depth, no-strings-attached, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our proficient team in Maryland Heights, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Maryland Heights, MO DWI Attorney
Every Maryland Heights, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Maryland Heights, MO. Our lawyers meticulously 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 Maryland Heights, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in Negotiating Plea Bargains
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating circumstances that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Maryland Heights, MO.
Court Representation From a Maryland Heights, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Maryland Heights, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering compelling arguments on your behalf. We cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and present supporting evidence and testimony. Our primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Maryland Heights, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Maryland Heights, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Maryland Heights, 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 Maryland Heights, MO residents:
Contact the Ideal Maryland Heights, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Maryland Heights, MO area? Do not 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 Maryland Heights, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your 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 case review.
