DWI Attorney in St. Louis County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in St. Louis County, MO can have severe and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in St. Louis County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in St. Louis County, MO are committed to providing you with the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in St. Louis County, MO, negotiate a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our St. Louis County, MO DWI attorneys where you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in St. Louis County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever your scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in St. Louis County, MO is crucial. 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 another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the expertise of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a determined St. Louis County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a St. Louis County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Louis County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
St. Louis County, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in St. Louis County, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in St. Louis County, MO include:
- 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: 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.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in St. Louis County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in St. Louis County, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement in St. Louis County, MO can be an intimidating experience, particularly if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation carefully. Here are the steps you should follow according to 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 area. Keep 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’re 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 or long-winded conversations. After all, 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. Louis County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can politely decline to answer 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. Louis 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 tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily 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 lawyers can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Louis County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in St. Louis County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in St. Louis County, MO. We provide:
A St. Louis County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in St. Louis County, MO and throughout Missouri, with over 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. Louis County, MO clients against these accusations. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in St. Louis County, MO
We start with a thorough, confidential, free consultation to understand the details of your St. Louis County, MO case. This allows our skilled team in St. Louis County, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A St. Louis County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each St. Louis County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in St. Louis County, MO. Our attorneys 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. Louis County, MO DWI Attorney Who is Adept at Negotiating Plea Bargains
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There might 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. Louis County, MO area.
Court Representation From a St. Louis County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your St. Louis County, MO DWI case go to trail, 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. Louis County, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around St. Louis County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in St. Louis County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are securing 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. Louis County 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
Reach Out to the Leading St. Louis County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in St. Louis 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. Louis County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the St. Louis County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.