DWI Attorney in Springfield, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Springfield, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Springfield, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our experienced Springfield, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to providing you with the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Springfield, MO, negotiate a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Springfield, MO where you can discuss the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Springfield, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of your situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Springfield, MO area is vital. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been arrested for 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 now.
Hiring a determined Springfield, 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 Springfield, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Springfield, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Springfield, MO can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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: Now considered 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: 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 Springfield, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Springfield, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Springfield, MO can be an intimidating experience, especially if you have been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps recommended by 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 spot. Maintain your composure by taking deep breaths to remain 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’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. You have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement pulls you over, officers may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Springfield, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can 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 Springfield, 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.
- Call a DWI Attorney Immediately: 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 legal team can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Springfield, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in Springfield, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial in Springfield, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, MO area against these accusations. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Springfield, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a in-depth, confidential, free case review to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our skilled team in Springfield, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Springfield, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Springfield, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a tailored defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Springfield, MO. Our attorneys meticulously 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 Springfield, MO DWI Attorney Who is Adept at Negotiating Plea Bargains
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating factors that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our Springfield, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Springfield, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Springfield, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous 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 primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Springfield, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Springfield, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the best DWI attorney in Springfield, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting 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 Springfield, 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
Contact the Ideal Springfield, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Springfield, MO area? 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 uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Springfield, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Springfield, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.
