DWI Attorney in St. Charles County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in St. Charles County, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in St. Charles County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our knowledgeable St. Charles County, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to providing you with the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in St. Charles County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our St. Charles County, MO DWI attorneys so that you can discuss the specifics of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in St. Charles County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever the situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the St. Charles County, MO area is vital. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been charged with driving under the influence of marijuana or some other intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the help of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a tenacious St. Charles 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. Call a DWI attorney in St. Charles County, MO right away 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, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your St. Charles County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be 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, 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: 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. Charles County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the St. Charles County, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in St. Charles County, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. Here are the 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 area. Maintain your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches your vehicle to demonstrate you are not a threat and are 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 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 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 counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in St. Charles County, 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is crucial to consult with 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. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Charles County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in St. Charles County, MO is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in St. Charles County, MO. We provide:
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 have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending St. Charles County, MO clients against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled St. Charles County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a in-depth, no-strings-attached, free case review to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our proficient team in St. Charles County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a St. Charles County, MO DWI Attorney
Every St. Charles County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in St. Charles County, MO. Our lawyers investigate every aspect 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.
A St. Charles County, 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 circumstances that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our St. Charles County, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a St. Charles County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your St. Charles County, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, presenting a compelling defense strategy on your behalf. We cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and present supporting evidence and testimony. 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 partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the ideal DWI attorney in St. Charles County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re 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:
Reach Out to the Leading St. Charles County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the St. Charles County, 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 safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in St. Charles County, MO.
Take the first step in 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.
