DWI Attorney in St. Ann, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in St. Ann, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in St. Ann, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you need the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our knowledgeable St. Ann, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted 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 DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in St. Ann, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in St. Ann, MO where you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and get confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in St. Ann, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter the situation, securing top-tier legal representation in St. Ann, MO is crucial. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge 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 expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring an aggressive St. Ann, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a St. Ann, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Ann, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
St. Ann, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in St. Ann, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in St. Ann, 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: 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: 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 St. Ann, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in St. Ann, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in St. Ann, MO can be an harrowing experience, particularly if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. The following are steps recommended by 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 location. Maintain your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
- 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 police office and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. 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 St. Ann, 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’d rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in St. Ann, 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Contact a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Ann, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in St. Ann, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you get a fair trial in St. Ann, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our St. Ann, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in St. Ann, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the St. Ann, MO area against these types of charges. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in St. Ann, MO
We begin with a thorough, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the details of your St. Ann, MO case. This allows our skilled team in St. Ann, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
A St. Ann, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each St. Ann, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in St. Ann, MO. Our lawyers investigate every angle of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the legality of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
A St. Ann, 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 factors that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the St. Ann, MO area.
Expert Court Representation From a St. Ann, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your St. Ann, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide robust 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 priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in St. Ann, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around St. Ann, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the leading DWI attorney in St. Ann, 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 residents in St. Ann and beyond:
Reach Out to the Leading St. Ann, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in St. Ann, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Place it in the trustworthy hands of the tenacious and experienced DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in St. Ann, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the St. Ann, 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 consultation.
