DWI Attorney in O’Fallon, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in O’Fallon, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in O’Fallon, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in O’Fallon, MO are devoted to providing you with the best possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in O’Fallon, MO, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our O’Fallon, MO DWI attorneys where you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in O’Fallon, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever the scenario, you need the best legal representation available in O’Fallon, MO. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been charged with driving while intoxicated 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 now.
Hiring a determined O’Fallon, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a O’Fallon, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in O’Fallon, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in O’Fallon, MO can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in O’Fallon, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in O’Fallon, 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, 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.
DWI Attorney in O’Fallon, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the O’Fallon, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in O’Fallon, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps you should follow according to 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 spot. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain 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 – 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 will do everything in their power to arrest you or use “strongarm” investigative techniques. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the O’Fallon, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always politely decline questions by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I’d rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in O’Fallon, 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 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: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in O’Fallon, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in O’Fallon, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial in O’Fallon, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
A O’Fallon, 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 O’Fallon, 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 O’Fallon, MO area against these types of charges. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled O’Fallon, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a detailed, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in O’Fallon, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a O’Fallon, MO DWI Attorney
Each O’Fallon, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in O’Fallon, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every aspect 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our O’Fallon, MO DWI Attorney
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. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our O’Fallon, MO-area clients.
Court Representation From a O’Fallon, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your O’Fallon, MO DWI case go 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 priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in O’Fallon, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around O’Fallon, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the leading DWI attorney in O’Fallon, 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 offers expertise in the following areas for O’Fallon, 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 O’Fallon, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the O’Fallon, MO area? Do not leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in O’Fallon, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the O’Fallon, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.
