Shelby County, MO

DWI Attorney in Shelby County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Shelby 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 have been arrested for DWI in Shelby County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.

Our experienced Shelby County, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to offering you the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Shelby County, MO, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.

Give Combs Waterkotte a call as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Shelby County, MO DWI attorneys so that you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice.

DWI Attorney in Shelby County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team

No matter your situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Shelby County, MO is crucial. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI 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 right away.

Hiring a tenacious Shelby County, 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. Contact a Shelby County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.

DWI Attorney in Shelby County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri

Shelby County, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Shelby County, 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 Shelby 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: 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: This is a Class C felony, and you can expect a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.

DWI Attorney in Shelby County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Shelby County, MO Area

Being stopped by law enforcement in Shelby County, MO can be an harrowing experience, especially if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is crucial 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 area. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with the police officer.
• 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. After all, 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 Shelby County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always politely decline questions 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 Shelby 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 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, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.

DWI Attorney in Shelby County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense

While facing a DWI charge in the Shelby County, MO area is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial in Shelby County, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm offers:

A Shelby County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise

With more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense, the DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Shelby County, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Shelby County, MO clients against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.

An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Shelby County, MO DWI Attorney

We begin with a in-depth, no-strings-attached, free case review to understand the specifics of your Shelby County, MO case. This allows our proficient team in Shelby County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.

A Shelby County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence

Every Shelby County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Shelby 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.

Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Shelby County, MO DWI Attorney

If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating circumstances that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Shelby County, MO.

Expert Court Representation From a Shelby County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience

If your Shelby County, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting compelling arguments 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Shelby County, MO.

When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Shelby County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the leading DWI attorney in Shelby County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team provides expertise in the following areas for Shelby County, MO residents:

• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
• Criminal Lawyer

Reach Out to the Leading Shelby County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte

If you are facing a DWI charge in Shelby 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 Shelby County, MO.

Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Shelby County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.