DWI Attorney in Wildwood, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Wildwood, MO are dedicated to offering you the strongest 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 Wildwood, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Wildwood, MO DWI attorneys where you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Wildwood, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever your scenario, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Wildwood, MO area is vital. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge 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 the expertise of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring an aggressive Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Wildwood, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Wildwood, MO can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Wildwood, 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.
The penalties for DWI in Wildwood, MO include:
- 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, along with the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Wildwood, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Wildwood, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Wildwood, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation carefully. The following are steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Remain 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 location. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches, showing you are not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the officer and follow their instructions – this goes a long way.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. After all, 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 Wildwood, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always 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 Wildwood, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Contact a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Wildwood, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in Wildwood, MO is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial in Wildwood, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
A Wildwood, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
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 Wildwood, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Wildwood, MO clients against these types of charges. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in Wildwood, MO
We start with a detailed, confidential, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in Wildwood, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Wildwood, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Wildwood, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Wildwood, 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.
A Wildwood, 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 circumstances that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Wildwood, MO.
Court Representation From a Wildwood, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Wildwood, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous 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 priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Wildwood, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Wildwood, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the ideal DWI attorney in Wildwood, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team provides expertise in the following areas for Wildwood, 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
Contact the Ideal Wildwood, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Wildwood, MO area? Do not leave your future to chance. Place it in the trustworthy hands of the tenacious and experienced DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Wildwood, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Wildwood, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.
