DWI/DUI Lawyer in St. Louis

DWI/DUI Defense in St. Louis, MO

If you've recently been arrested and charged with a DWI/DUI in the St. Louis area, you need an experienced, knowledgeable, and established St. Louis DWI/DUI lawyer. You owe it to yourself to get sound advice from one of the best DWI lawyers in St. Louis as soon as possible.

If you've been charged with a DWI/DUI, you will be facing a driver's license suspension, fines, and possible jail time.  A DWI/DUI in St. Louis or elsewhere in Missouri can result in unimaginable costs – but you could avoid them, with the expert help provided by an effective St. Louis DWI/DUI attorney.

There are hundreds of DWI law firms in St. Louis, but Combs Waterkotte is one that is exceptionally unique. Our firm takes a highly personalized approach to every DWI/DUI case we litigate. You will find our process to be exceptionally thorough, compelling, and client-focused. Our firm gives the maximum personal attention to all our DWI/DUI clients and works closely with them to formulate the best possible strategy for their case. You will find that our St. Louis DWI/DUI lawyer services have helped protect our clients’ rights and secure their futures.

Our firm begins all our DWI/DUI cases in St. Louis with a personal, one-on-one conversation with clients. We will go over all the facts of the case with you, workshop an effective defense and legal strategy, and answer any questions you might have about the DWI/DUI legal process. Our attorneys are open to listen to your ideas of how to proceed, and after this meeting we will present you with a strong, proven plan of attack, along with what outcomes you can expect. Combs Waterkotte stops at nothing to get a favorable outcome for their clients: we review every evidence file, look for extenuating circumstances, and are experts at finding flaws that can change the outcome of your case.

Our firm has handled a multitude of DWI/DUI cases in jurisdictions throughout the St. Louis area, ranging from first-time DWI/DUI offenders to those who caused an accident or injury while under the influence. We are confident in our capability to defend you if you are facing any DWI/DUI related legal issues in St. Louis.

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Don’t “Blow” Your DWI/DUI Case: Key Mistakes to Avoid

Combs Waterkotte, Missouri's leading DWI/DUI law firm, has handled over 10,000 cases successfully. This ebook guides you through the DWI/DUI defense process and helps you avoid key mistakes.

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What to Do if You're Pulled Over for DWI/DUI in St. Louis

Being stopped by police is nerve-wracking—especially if an officer suspects you of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The stress of a routine traffic stop intensifies when accusations of impaired driving come into play. However, staying calm and knowing your rights can make a significant difference in how the situation unfolds. With extensive experience handling DWI/DUI cases throughout the St. Louis area, our legal team strongly advises you to follow these critical steps:

• Pull Over Safely: As soon as you notice flashing lights behind you, find a safe place to stop. If possible, pull over on a road shoulder or into a nearby parking lot—avoid stopping on grass or in unsafe areas. Keep your hands visible, follow the officer's instructions within reason, and remain respectful.
• Stay Calm and Cooperative: The way you interact with an officer matters. Remaining composed and courteous can prevent unnecessary complications. Arguing or acting aggressively will only raise suspicion and could lead to additional scrutiny, vehicle searches, or an escalated encounter.
• Know Your Rights — Avoid Self-Incrimination: You are not required to answer questions that could be used against you. While you must provide your driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance, you are under no obligation to disclose where you have been or whether you have consumed alcohol. If asked, politely assert your right to remain silent. Officers are trained to gather evidence against you—don't give them more than they already have.
• Refuse Field Sobriety Tests and Breath or Blood Tests: Missouri's implied consent law applies only after an arrest. Field sobriety tests and roadside breathalyzers are unreliable and serve only to justify your arrest. Politely refuse these tests.
• Call Combs Waterkotte Immediately if Arrested: If you are taken into custody, do not answer any questions without legal representation. Your conversation with an attorney is fully confidential and protected under Missouri law. Contact us at (314) 900-HELP as soon as possible. Our experienced DWI/DUI defense lawyers are ready to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

Can You Drive After a DWI/DUI Charge in St. Louis?

If you are arrested for DWI/DUI in St. Louis, your driver’s license could be immediately suspended or revoked by the Missouri Department of Revenue – called an Administrative Alcohol Suspension. This suspension is separate from any criminal penalties and is an administrative action taken against your driving privileges. Following your arrest, law enforcement will confiscate your driver’s license and replace it with a Notice of Suspension or Revocation, which allows you to keep driving for 15 days. This allotment of time is meant to allow you to contest the suspension or make other arrangements. You have the right to request an administrative hearing to challenge this suspension within those 15 days.

If your license is suspended or revoked, you might be eligible to apply for a Limited Driving Privilege (LDP), commonly referred to as a hardship license. Under Missouri Revised Statute § 302.309, this permit allows you to drive for specific purposes, like school, work, or medical appointments.

To obtain an LDP, you might need to:

• Complete a Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program (SATOP)
• Install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
• Provide Proof of Insurance (SR-22 form)

How You Can Help Combs Waterkotte Build Your DWI/DUI Defense in St. Louis

Being arrested for DWI/DUI in St. Louis is a daunting experience. Here's how you can help your DWI/DUI lawyer best prepare for your defense:

• 1. Take Important Initial Steps Following Your Arrest
  

  Document the details of your arrest, including the time, location, and law enforcement officer's actions and any statements. Also, record if the officer stated a reason for the stop. Request a copy of the arrest report—your DWI/DUI lawyer will use this to review any evidence obtained and identify any procedural errors. Do not discuss the case with anyone other than your attorney and avoid posting any details online.

• 2. Fully Understand Missouri DWI/DUI Laws & Penalties
  

  Understand Missouri’s implied consent law, which applies to blood and breath tests and can result in license suspension if you refuse testing. However, we suggest that you do refuse any field sobriety, breath, and blood test.

• 3. Hire an Experienced DWI/DUI Attorney
  

  Hire a St. Louis DWI/DUI defense lawyer, one experienced in Missouri’s DWI/DUI laws. Discuss potential criminal defense strategies, including lack of probable cause, failure to issue Miranda rights, a faulty breathalyzer, or improperly conducting a field sobriety test.

• 4. Examine Evidence of Probable Cause
  

  Our legal team can challenge the reason for the traffic stop and investigate if there was reasonable suspicion to pull you over, and review bodycam/dashcam to verify event and challenge police conduct.

• 5. Evaluate / Scrutinize Sobriety Tests
  

  The Combs Waterkotte St. Louis DWI/DUI attorneys can review any field sobriety test procedures and verify they were administered according to Missouri guidelines. We can also check for breathalyzer machine accuracy to make sure the device was properly calibrated and maintained. According to statewide protocols as specified in 19 CSR 25-30.060, monthly maintenance reports on breathalyzers must be sent to Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.

• 6. Review Chemical Testing Procedures
  

  We verify any breath or blood test procedures, making sure any tests administered followed Missouri’s strict protocols for chemical testing, and challenge chain of custody—checking to see if samples were handled, transferred, and stored correctly.

• 7. Investigate Police Conduct and Any Rights Violations
  

  Our St. Louis DWI/DUI attorneys examine Miranda Rights compliance, confirming if your rights were read and respected at the time of your arrest, and unlawful search and seizure to see if the officer had reasonable suspicion or consent to conduct a search.

• 8. License Suspension Defense
  

  If you're facing license suspension, it's crucial to request an Administrative Hearing to contest the suspension within the statutory deadline of 15 days. Our team can help explore driving privilege options that may allow limited driving under specific conditions. Missouri has two – LDP or Restricted Driving Privileges (RDP).

• 9. Gather Supporting Evidence
  

  Any relevant document or witness statements can help your St. Louis DWI/DUI defense attorney. Any witness that can contest the officer's report and corroborate your side of the story could be pivotal to your case. Also, if relevant, provide any records showing medical conditions or recent use of medications that could explain skewed test results or FST performance, such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia
  • Gastroesophageal-reflux disease (GERD)
  • Low-carbohydrate diet
  • Heart Conditions
  • Flu or fever
  • Inhalers
  • Cold medications
  • Mouthwashes/Breath sprays
  
  
  
  
• 10. Prepare for Court
  

  Discuss with your skilled St. Louis DWI/DUI defense lawyer any evidence or testimony that might be used to fight the prosecution's case. We'll help you weigh the possible pros and cons of negotiating a plea agreement versus going to trial. The Combs Waterkotte legal team always has your best interests in mind when trying to get you the best possible outcome, and you have the final say in any decision.

We'll pursue every legal avenue to eliminate the legal consequences of the DWI/DUI charges against you in St. Louis, or severely limit them. But if the evidence is stacked against you, or you made a terrible mistake you regret, we'll still represent you and work to get the best possible resolution for you, your loved ones, and your future. Call Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

See below to learn more about our DWI/DUI defense and some of the types of cases we've handled:

• Aggravated DWI
• Celebrity and Public Official/High Profile DWI Cases
• DWI With Child Endangerment
• Unlawful Police Stops
• DWI Resulting in Death
• DWI Assault
• DWI Serious Injury
• Open Container Violations
• DWI/DUI
• Hit and Run DWI
• Felony DWI
• CDL DWIs
• DWI First Offense
• DWI Second Offense
• DWI Accidents
• DWI With Drugs
• DWI With Marijuana