DWI Attorney in Putnam County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Putnam County, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Putnam County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable Putnam County, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to offering you the best possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Putnam County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Putnam County, MO where you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Putnam County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of the scenario, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Putnam County, MO area is vital. 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 an aggressive Putnam County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Putnam County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Putnam County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Putnam County, MO can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Putnam County, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Putnam County, MO include:
- First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, 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: 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: 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 Putnam County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Putnam County, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Putnam County, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation carefully. The following are 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 location. Keep 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 your vehicle to demonstrate you’re not a threat and are cooperative. Politely greet the officer 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 will do everything in their power to arrest you or use “strongarm” investigative techniques. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Putnam County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can always 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 Putnam 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Putnam County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in the Putnam County, MO area is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial in Putnam County, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Putnam County, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Putnam County, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 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 Putnam County, MO clients against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Putnam County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a thorough, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the specifics of your Putnam County, MO case. This allows our proficient team in Putnam County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Putnam County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Putnam County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a tailored defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Putnam County, MO. Our attorneys 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 Putnam 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 Putnam County, MO-area clients.
Court Representation From a Putnam County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Putnam County, MO DWI case proceed to trail, 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 minimize any potential penalties in Putnam County, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Putnam County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the best DWI attorney in Putnam 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 Putnam County and beyond:
- 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
Reach Out to the Leading Putnam County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Putnam County, MO area? Don’t leave your future to chance. Place it in the trustworthy hands of the tenacious and experienced DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Putnam County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Putnam 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.
