DWI Attorney in Meramec, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Meramec, MO can have serious and enduring, 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 Meramec, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Meramec, MO are devoted to providing you with the best possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Meramec, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Meramec, MO DWI attorneys where you can discuss the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Meramec, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever the scenario, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Meramec, MO area is vital. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI 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 the expertise of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a tenacious Meramec, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Meramec, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Meramec, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Meramec, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Meramec, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Meramec, 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: 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: 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, along with the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Meramec, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Meramec, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Meramec, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Remain 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, 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 your vehicle to demonstrate you are not a threat and are cooperative. Politely greet the officer and follow their instructions – this goes a long way.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. After all, you have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement pulls you over, officers may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Meramec, 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 counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Meramec, 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.
- Contact a DWI Attorney Immediately: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Meramec, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in Meramec, MO is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Meramec, MO. Our firm offers:
A Meramec, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Meramec, 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 successfully defended numerous clients in the Meramec, MO area against these accusations. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented Meramec, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a thorough, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our proficient team in Meramec, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
A Meramec, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Meramec, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Meramec, MO. Our attorneys 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 Meramec, 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 Meramec, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Meramec, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Meramec, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting a compelling defense strategy 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 minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Meramec, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Meramec, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Meramec, MO and throughout Missouri – you are 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 Meramec, MO residents:
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
Contact the Ideal Meramec, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Meramec, 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 Meramec, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Meramec, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.