DWI Attorney in Smithville, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Smithville, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Smithville, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable Smithville, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to providing you with the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Smithville, MO, arrange a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
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 Smithville, MO DWI attorneys so that you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Smithville, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter the scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Smithville, 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 the help of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring a determined Smithville, 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 Smithville, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Smithville, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Smithville, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Smithville, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Smithville, MO amount to:
- First Offense: You could receive a jail term of up to 6 months, fines of 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, 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, along with the suspension of your license.
Platte County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Platte County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Smithville, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Smithville, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Smithville, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been drinking. 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:
- Stay 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 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 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 Smithville, 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 counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Smithville, 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 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 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 skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Smithville, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in the Smithville, MO area is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you get a fair trial in Smithville, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
A Smithville, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
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 Smithville, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Smithville, 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 DWI Attorney in Smithville, MO
We begin with a thorough, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our talented team in Smithville, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Smithville, MO DWI Attorney
Every Smithville, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a tailored defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Smithville, MO. Our attorneys 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 Smithville, 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 clients in the Smithville, MO area.
Expert Court Representation From a Smithville, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Smithville, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering 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 Smithville, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Smithville, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Smithville, 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 offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Smithville and beyond:
- 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
Connect With the Premier Smithville, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Smithville, MO area? Do not 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 Smithville, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Smithville, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.