DWI Attorney in Washington County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Washington County, MO can have severe and enduring, 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 Washington County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced Washington County, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to offering you the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Washington County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Washington County, MO so that you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Washington County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter your scenario, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Washington County, 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 some other intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the expertise of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring an aggressive Washington County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Washington County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Washington County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Washington County, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Washington County, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Washington County, 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: Now considered 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: 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 Washington County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Washington County, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Washington County, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation carefully. 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 location. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain 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, 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. You have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement pulls you over, officers will do everything in their power to arrest you or use “strongarm” investigative techniques. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Washington County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can politely decline questions 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 Washington 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 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, such as the skilled 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 Washington County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in Washington County, MO is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Washington County, MO. Our firm provides:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Washington County, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Washington County, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Washington County, MO area against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled DWI Attorney in Washington County, MO
We begin with a in-depth, confidential, free case review to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our talented team in Washington County, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Washington County, MO DWI Attorney
Every Washington County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Washington County, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every angle 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.
A Washington 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 might be mitigating factors that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our Washington County, MO-area clients.
Court Representation From a Washington County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Washington County, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering compelling arguments 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 minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Washington County, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Washington County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in Washington County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing 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 Washington 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
Contact the Ideal Washington County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Washington 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 Washington County, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Washington County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.
