DWI Attorney in Newton County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Newton County, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Newton County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced Newton County, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted 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 skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Newton County, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Newton County, MO so that you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Newton County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
No matter your situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Newton County, MO is crucial. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been charged with driving while intoxicated 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 determined Newton County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Newton County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Newton County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Newton County, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Newton County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Newton County, MO include:
- 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: 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, along with the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Newton County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Newton County, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Newton County, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation carefully. Here are the steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Stay 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 law enforcement.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep 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, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. 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 Newton County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. 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 Newton County, 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 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.
- Call 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 experienced legal team can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Newton County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in Newton 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 committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial in Newton County, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm offers:
A Newton County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Newton County, MO and throughout Missouri, with over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Newton 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 Talented DWI Attorney in Newton County, MO
We begin with a in-depth, no-obligation, free case review to understand the details of your Newton County, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Newton County, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your situation.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Newton County, MO DWI Attorney
Each Newton County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Newton County, MO. Our lawyers 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.
A Newton County, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in 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 to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Newton County, MO.
Court Representation From a Newton County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Newton County, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous 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 priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Newton County, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Newton County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Newton 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 offers expertise in the following areas for Newton County, MO residents:
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
- Criminal Lawyer
- Juvenile Defense Lawyer
- Sexual Misconduct Lawyer
- Traffic Ticket Lawyer
Contact the Ideal Newton County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Newton County, MO area? Don’t leave your future to chance. Leave it to the skilled and tenacious DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Newton County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Newton County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.
