DWI Attorney in Raytown, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Raytown, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Raytown, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable Raytown, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to offering you the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Raytown, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Raytown, MO DWI attorneys where you can speak about the specifics of your case and get expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Raytown, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
No matter your scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Raytown, MO is crucial. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been charged with driving 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 away.
Hiring a tenacious Raytown, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Raytown, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Raytown, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Raytown, MO can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Raytown, 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 Raytown, 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: Considered a “prior offender” so you face 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: 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: 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 Raytown, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Raytown, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement in Raytown, MO can be an harrowing experience, particularly if you have been drinking. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps you should follow according to the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Stay 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 the officer.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Place your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches your vehicle to demonstrate you are not a threat and are cooperative. Politely greet the officer and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- 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 don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Raytown, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can politely decline questions 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 Raytown, 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 Missouri’s implied consent law mandates a one-year license suspension for refusing a breathalyzer after a DWI arrest, this not apply to tests conducted before an arrest. 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, such as the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Raytown, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in Raytown, MO is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is committed to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Raytown, MO. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Raytown, MO DWI Attorney
With over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense, the DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Raytown, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Raytown, MO clients against these accusations. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Raytown, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a in-depth, confidential, free consultation to understand the details of your Raytown, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Raytown, 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 Raytown, MO DWI Attorney
Every Raytown, 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 specific circumstances in Raytown, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
A Raytown, 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 might be mitigating factors that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Raytown, MO area.
Expert Court Representation From a Raytown, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Raytown, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, 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 priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Raytown, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Raytown, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Raytown, MO and throughout Missouri – you are 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 residents in Raytown and beyond:
Connect With the Premier Raytown, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Raytown, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Leave it to the skilled and tenacious DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Raytown, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Raytown, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.
