DWI Attorney in St. Peters, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in St. Peters, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in St. Peters, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable St. Peters, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to offering you the best 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 get your charges in St. Peters, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our St. Peters, MO DWI attorneys where you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in St. Peters, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever your situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the St. Peters, MO area is vital. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been charged with driving 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 right away.
Hiring a determined St. Peters, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in St. Peters, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Peters, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
St. Peters, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your St. Peters, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in St. Peters, MO amount to:
- 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, 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, as well as the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in St. Peters, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the St. Peters, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in St. Peters, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. The following are 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. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with the police officer.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep 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 – 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 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. Peters, 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. Peters, 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Contact 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 protect your rights and future. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in St. Peters, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in St. Peters, 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, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in St. Peters, MO. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our St. Peters, MO DWI Attorney
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. Peters, 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. Peters, MO area against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented St. Peters, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a thorough, no-obligation, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our talented team in St. Peters, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your situation.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a St. Peters, MO DWI Attorney
Each St. Peters, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in St. Peters, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every angle 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.
A St. Peters, 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 might be mitigating factors that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the St. Peters, MO area.
Expert Court Representation From a St. Peters, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your St. Peters, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, delivering a compelling defense strategy on your behalf. We present supporting evidence and testimony, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. Our priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in St. Peters, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around St. Peters, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in St. Peters, 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 provides expertise in the following areas for St. Peters, MO residents:
- 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. Peters, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in St. Peters, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Place it in the trustworthy hands of the tenacious and experienced DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in St. Peters, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the St. Peters, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.
