DWI Attorney in Pettis County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Pettis County, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Pettis County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Pettis County, MO are committed to providing you with the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Pettis County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Pettis County, MO DWI attorneys so that you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Pettis County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever your scenario, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Pettis County, MO area is vital. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for 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 help of Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring an aggressive Pettis County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Pettis County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Pettis County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Pettis County, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Pettis County, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Pettis 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: 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: 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Pettis County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Pettis County, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Pettis County, MO can be an intimidating experience, particularly if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped 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: Pull over safely to the side of the road, signaling as you do so, finding a safe, well-lit area. Maintain your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Place your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches, showing you are not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the officer 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 Pettis 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’d rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Pettis 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 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.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Pettis County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in or around Pettis County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is committed to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Pettis County, MO. Our firm provides:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Pettis County, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Pettis County, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Pettis County, MO area against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented Pettis County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a detailed, confidential, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in Pettis County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Pettis County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Pettis County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Pettis County, MO. Our lawyers 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 Pettis County, 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 factors that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our Pettis County, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Pettis County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Pettis County, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide robust 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 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 Pettis County, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Pettis County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the leading DWI attorney in Pettis County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re 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 Pettis 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 Pettis County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Pettis County, MO, don’t 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 Pettis County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Pettis County, MO area by calling 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.
