DWI Attorney in St. Louis, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in St. Louis, MO can have serious and enduring, if not permanent, consequences 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, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our experienced St. Louis, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted 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. Louis, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our St. Louis, MO DWI attorneys so that you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and get expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in St. Louis, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of your situation, you need the best legal representation available in St. Louis, MO. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been arrested for driving 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, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a St. Louis, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Louis, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
St. Louis, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in St. Louis, 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.
Penalties for DWI in St. Louis, 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: 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, penalties can include 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. Louis, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in St. Louis, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in St. Louis, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. The following are steps recommended by 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 law enforcement.
- 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 officer 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 has you pulled 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. Louis, 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’d rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in St. Louis, MO, or anywhere else for that matter, as they are subjective and typically used only to establish probable cause to arrest you. An officer might request that you 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.
- Call a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Louis, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in St. Louis, MO is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you get a fair trial in St. Louis, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our St. Louis, 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. Louis, 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. Louis, MO area 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 DWI Attorney in St. Louis, MO
We begin with a in-depth, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in St. Louis, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
A St. Louis, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every St. Louis, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a tailored defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in St. Louis, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the legality of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our St. Louis, MO DWI Attorney
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. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the St. Louis, MO area.
Court Representation From a St. Louis, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your St. Louis, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering 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 reduce any potential penalties in St. Louis, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around St. Louis, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in St. Louis, 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 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, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the St. Louis, MO area? Do not 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 uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in St. Louis, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the St. Louis, 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.
