DWI Attorney in Washington County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Washington County, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Washington County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable Washington County, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Washington County, MO, negotiate a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Washington County, MO DWI attorneys where you can discuss the specifics of your case and receive confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Washington County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever the situation, you need the best legal representation available in Washington County, MO. 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 immediately.
Hiring an aggressive Washington County, 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. 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 carry serious penalties, 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) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Washington County, MO amount to:
- 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: 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.
Washington County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Washington County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Washington County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Washington County, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Washington County, MO can be an harrowing experience, particularly if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Stay Calm and Compliant: Safely pull over to the side of the road, using your signal to indicate your intentions, and find a safe, well-lit spot. Maintain your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with the police officer.
- 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 officer and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination or long-winded conversations. 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 don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Washington County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. 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 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 used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team 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 Washington County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in or around Washington County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial in Washington County, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
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 over 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. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Washington County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a detailed, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the details of your Washington County, MO 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.
A Washington County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Washington County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Washington County, MO. Our attorneys 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Washington County, MO DWI Attorney
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There might be mitigating circumstances that could be used in your defense. 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
If your Washington County, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting 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 lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Washington County, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Washington County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the best DWI attorney in Washington County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are securing 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 Washington County, MO residents:
- Gun Crime Lawyer
- Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
Connect With the Premier 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. 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 Washington County, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Washington County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.