DWI Attorney in Scotland County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Scotland County, MO can have severe and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Scotland County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Scotland County, MO are committed to providing you with the best possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Scotland County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Scotland County, MO DWI attorneys so that you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Scotland County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever your scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Scotland County, MO. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been charged with driving under the influence of marijuana or another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring a tenacious Scotland County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Scotland County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Scotland County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Scotland County, 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 Scotland County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Scotland County, MO amount to:
- 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, as well as the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Scotland County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Scotland County, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Scotland County, MO can be an intimidating experience, especially if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. The following are steps you should follow according to 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 by taking deep breaths to remain 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, 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 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 Scotland County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always politely decline to answer by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I would rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Scotland County, 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.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney Immediately: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Scotland County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in Scotland County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Scotland County, MO. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Scotland County, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Scotland County, 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 Scotland County, 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 Talented DWI Attorney in Scotland County, MO
We begin with a in-depth, confidential, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our talented team in Scotland County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Scotland County, MO DWI Attorney
Every Scotland County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Scotland County, MO. Our lawyers 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.
A Scotland County, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in Negotiating Plea Bargains
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 in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Scotland County, MO.
Expert Court Representation From a Scotland County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Scotland County, MO DWI case goes 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 primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Scotland County, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Scotland County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Scotland County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re 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 Scotland 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
Reach Out to the Leading Scotland County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Scotland County, MO area? Do not leave your future to chance. Place it in the trustworthy hands of the tenacious and experienced DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Scotland County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Scotland 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.
