DWI Attorney in Richmond, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Richmond, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Richmond, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Richmond, MO are devoted to providing you with the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Richmond, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Richmond, MO so that you can speak about the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Richmond, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of your scenario, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Richmond, MO area is vital. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana or some other intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring a determined Richmond, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Richmond, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Richmond, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Richmond, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Richmond, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Richmond, MO include:
- First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, 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: This is a Class C felony, and you can expect a prison sentence of up to 15 years, as well as the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Richmond, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Richmond, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Richmond, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been drinking. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation carefully. The following are steps you should follow according to 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 spot. Maintain your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay 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, showing you’re not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the officer 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 may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Richmond, 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 Richmond, 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney Immediately: Seek 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 safeguard your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Richmond, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in or around Richmond, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Richmond, MO. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Richmond, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Richmond, MO and throughout Missouri, with over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Richmond, 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 Richmond, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a detailed, no-obligation, free case review to understand the specifics of your Richmond, MO case. This allows our proficient team in Richmond, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Richmond, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Richmond, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Richmond, MO. Our lawyers investigate every angle 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 Richmond, MO DWI Attorney
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There might be mitigating circumstances that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our Richmond, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Richmond, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Richmond, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering a compelling defense strategy 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, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Richmond, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Richmond, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the leading DWI attorney in Richmond, 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 residents in Richmond 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
Connect With the Premier Richmond, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Richmond, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Richmond, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Richmond, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.
