DWI Attorney in St. Francois County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in St. Francois County, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in St. Francois County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable St. Francois County, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to providing you with the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in St. Francois County, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser punishment through 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. Francois County, MO where you can speak about the specifics of your case and receive confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in St. Francois County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of your scenario, you need the best legal representation available in St. Francois 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 the help of Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring a tenacious St. Francois County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in St. Francois County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Francois County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in St. Francois County, MO can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your St. Francois County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in St. Francois County, MO include:
- First Offense: You could receive a jail term of up to 6 months, fines 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: 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. Francois County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the St. Francois County, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement in St. Francois County, MO can be an harrowing experience, particularly if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation carefully. Here are the steps recommended by 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. Maintain your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay 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 – this goes a long way.
- 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 St. Francois 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. Francois 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 may ask you to take a portable breath test, or breathalyzer. While the state of Missouri has an implied consent law that suspends your license for 1 year if you refuse a breathalyzer – called chemical revocation – this is only applicable after a DWI arrest, not before. These portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used 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 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 St. Francois County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in or around St. Francois 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 get a fair trial in St. Francois County, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our St. Francois 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. Francois County, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the St. Francois County, 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 St. Francois County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a in-depth, no-obligation, free case review to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our proficient team in St. Francois County, MO to assess 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. Francois County, MO DWI Attorney
Each St. Francois County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in St. Francois County, MO. Our lawyers meticulously 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.
A St. Francois 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 factors that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around St. Francois County, MO.
Court Representation From a St. Francois County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your St. Francois County, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or minimize any potential penalties in St. Francois County, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around St. Francois County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the best DWI attorney in St. Francois 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 offers expertise in the following areas for residents in St. Francois County and beyond:
- 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
Connect With the Premier St. Francois County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in St. Francois County, MO, don’t 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 safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in St. Francois County, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the St. Francois County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
