DWI Attorney in St. Charles County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in St. Charles County, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in St. Charles County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in St. Charles County, MO are dedicated to providing you with 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 get your charges in St. Charles County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange 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 for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in St. Charles County, MO so that you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in St. Charles County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter the situation, you need the best legal representation available in St. Charles County, MO. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been arrested for driving 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. Charles County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a St. Charles County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Charles County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in St. Charles County, MO can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in St. Charles County, 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.
Penalties for DWI in St. Charles 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: 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: 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 St. Charles County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in St. Charles County, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in St. Charles County, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been imbibing. 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:
- Stay Calm and Compliant: Pull over safely to the side of the road, signaling as you do so, finding a safe, well-lit spot. Keep 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 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 pulls you 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. Charles 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 St. Charles 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.
- Contact a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Charles County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in or around St. Charles County, 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 receive a fair trial in St. Charles County, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our St. Charles County, MO DWI Attorney
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 St. Charles 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 St. Charles County, MO clients against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in St. Charles County, MO
We begin with a in-depth, confidential, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our skilled team in St. Charles County, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
A St. Charles County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every St. Charles County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in St. Charles County, MO. Our lawyers investigate every angle of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our St. Charles 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 factors that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the St. Charles County, MO area.
Court Representation From a St. Charles County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your St. Charles County, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, presenting 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or minimize any potential penalties in St. Charles County, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around St. Charles County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the best DWI attorney in St. Charles County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are protecting 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 residents in St. Charles County and beyond:
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- Crime Defense 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 St. Charles County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the St. Charles County, MO area? Do not leave your future to chance. Leave it to the skilled and tenacious DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in St. Charles County, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the St. Charles County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.
