St. Joseph, MO

DWI Attorney in St. Joseph, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in St. Joseph, MO can have serious and long-lasting, 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. Joseph, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.

Our experienced St. Joseph, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the best possible defense, safeguarding your rights 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. Joseph, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.

Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in St. Joseph, MO where you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice and guidance.

DWI Attorney in St. Joseph, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team

Whatever the situation, you need the best legal representation available in St. Joseph, MO. 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 immediately.

Hiring a determined St. Joseph, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a St. Joseph, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.

DWI Attorney in St. Joseph, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri

St. Joseph, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your St. Joseph, 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. Joseph, MO include:

• 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 St. Joseph, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the St. Joseph, MO Area

Being pulled over by law enforcement in St. Joseph, MO can be an harrowing experience, especially if you have been imbibing. 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: 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 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 or long-winded conversations. You have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement has you pulled over, officers will do everything in their power to arrest you or use “strongarm” investigative techniques. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near St. Joseph, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. 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. Joseph, 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 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.
• Reach Out to a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: Seek 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. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

DWI Attorney in St. Joseph, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help

While facing a DWI charge in the St. Joseph, MO area is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in St. Joseph, MO. Our firm provides:

Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our St. Joseph, MO DWI Attorney

The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in St. Joseph, 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 had numerous successful results defending St. Joseph, MO clients against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.

Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in St. Joseph, MO

We begin with a detailed, no-strings-attached, free case review to understand the details of your St. Joseph, MO case. This allows our talented team in St. Joseph, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.

A St. Joseph, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence

Each St. Joseph, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in St. Joseph, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every aspect 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. Joseph, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in Negotiating Plea Bargains

If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There might be mitigating circumstances that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around St. Joseph, MO.

Court Representation From a St. Joseph, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience

Should your St. Joseph, MO DWI case go to trail, 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, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in St. Joseph, MO.

When you are charged with a DWI in or around St. Joseph, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in St. Joseph, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing 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 residents in St. Joseph and beyond:

• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
• Criminal Lawyer

Connect With the Premier St. Joseph, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte

If you are facing a DWI charge in St. Joseph, MO, 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 St. Joseph, MO.

Take the first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the St. Joseph, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.