DWI Attorney in Mississippi County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Mississippi County, MO can have major and long-lasting, 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 Mississippi County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable Mississippi County, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to offering you the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Mississippi County, MO, negotiate a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Mississippi County, MO DWI attorneys where you can speak about the specifics of your case and receive confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Mississippi County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
No matter the situation, you need the best legal representation available in Mississippi County, MO. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI 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 expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring an aggressive Mississippi County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Mississippi County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Mississippi County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Mississippi County, MO can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Mississippi County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Mississippi County, MO amount to:
- First Offense: You could receive a jail term of up to 6 months, 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: 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 Mississippi County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Mississippi County, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Mississippi County, MO can be an harrowing experience, especially if you have been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. The following are steps you should follow according to 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 the police officer.
- 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 pulls you over, officers may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Mississippi County, 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 Mississippi County, 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 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, like the skilled 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 now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Mississippi County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in Mississippi County, MO is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Mississippi County, MO. We provide:
A Mississippi County, 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 Mississippi County, 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 Mississippi County, 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 DWI Attorney in Mississippi County, MO
We start with a thorough, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the specifics of your Mississippi County, MO case. This allows our talented team in Mississippi County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your situation.
A Mississippi County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Mississippi County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Mississippi County, 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Mississippi County, MO DWI Attorney
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There might be mitigating factors that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Mississippi County, MO.
Court Representation From a Mississippi County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Mississippi County, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering a compelling defense strategy on your behalf. We present supporting evidence and testimony, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. Our primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Mississippi County, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Mississippi County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the best DWI attorney in Mississippi County, 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 Mississippi County, MO residents:
Reach Out to the Leading Mississippi County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Mississippi County, MO, 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 Mississippi County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Mississippi County, 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 case review.
