DWI Attorney in Mississippi County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Mississippi County, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Mississippi County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable Mississippi County, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to offering you the best possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Mississippi County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Mississippi County, MO where you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Mississippi County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of your scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Mississippi County, MO is crucial. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge 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 Mississippi County, 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. Contact a Mississippi County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Mississippi County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Mississippi County, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and potential 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, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Mississippi County, 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, along with the suspension of your license.
Mississippi County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Mississippi County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Mississippi County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Mississippi County, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement in Mississippi County, MO can be an intimidating experience, particularly if you have been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial 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 by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with the officer.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Place 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. After all, 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 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 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Contact a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Mississippi County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in or around Mississippi County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial in Mississippi County, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
A Mississippi County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Mississippi County, MO and throughout Missouri, with over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Mississippi County, MO clients against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled DWI Attorney in Mississippi County, MO
We start with a thorough, no-obligation, free case review to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our skilled team in Mississippi County, 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 Mississippi County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Mississippi County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a tailored defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Mississippi County, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every angle of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the legality of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Mississippi County, MO DWI Attorney
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating factors that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Mississippi County, MO area.
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 vigorous 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 minimize 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. Along with DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Mississippi County and beyond:
- 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
Contact the Ideal Mississippi County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Mississippi County, MO area? Do not 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 first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Mississippi County, 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.