DWI Attorney in St. Louis County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in St. Louis County, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in St. Louis County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in St. Louis County, MO are committed to providing you with the best possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in St. Louis County, MO, arrange a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our St. Louis County, MO DWI attorneys where you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in St. Louis County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of your scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in St. Louis County, MO is crucial. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge 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 expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring a tenacious St. Louis County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in St. Louis County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Louis County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
St. Louis County, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, 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) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in St. Louis 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: 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.
DWI Attorney in St. Louis County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the St. Louis County, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in St. Louis County, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been imbibing. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation carefully. The following are steps you should follow according to the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Remain 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, 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 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. 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 always politely decline to answer 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. Louis County, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Louis County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in St. Louis County, MO is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial in St. Louis County, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:
A St. Louis County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
With over 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. Louis 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. Louis County, MO clients against these types of charges. 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 begin with a in-depth, no-obligation, free case review 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, as well as 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 generic approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a tailored defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in St. Louis County, MO. Our attorneys 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. Louis County, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in Negotiating Plea Bargains
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating circumstances that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for 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 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 priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in St. Louis County, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around St. Louis County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the leading DWI attorney in St. Louis County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are protecting 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. Louis 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
Reach Out to the Leading St. Louis County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the St. Louis 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 uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in St. Louis County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the St. Louis County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
