DWI Attorney in Texas County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Texas County, 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 opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Texas County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Texas County, MO are dedicated to providing you with the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Texas County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Texas County, MO where you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Texas County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of your scenario, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Texas County, MO area is vital. 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 tenacious Texas County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Texas County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Texas County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Texas County, 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 Texas County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Texas County, MO amount to:
- 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: Now considered 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 Texas County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Texas County, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Texas County, 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 carefully. Here are the 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 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: Keep your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches your vehicle to demonstrate you’re 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. 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 are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Texas County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can politely decline to answer by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I’d rather not answer without legal counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Texas 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney Immediately: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Texas County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in Texas County, 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 offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial in Texas County, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
A Texas County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
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 Texas County, 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 Texas County, 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 Texas County, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a in-depth, confidential, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our skilled team in Texas 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 Texas County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Texas County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Texas County, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Texas County, MO DWI Attorney
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce 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 the Texas County, MO area.
Expert Court Representation From a Texas County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Texas County, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, presenting a compelling defense strategy 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 reduce any potential penalties in Texas County, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Texas County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the ideal DWI attorney in Texas County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Texas County and beyond:
Contact the Ideal Texas County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Texas County, 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 Texas County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Texas County, MO area by calling 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.
