DWI/DUI Lawyer in Dearborn, MO. Facing DWI/DUI charges in Dearborn, MO is a serious legal matter that can result in severe penalties, including license suspension, steep fines, and even jail time. Additionally, a DWI/DUI can impact your career, professional license, and personal reputation in Dearborn, MO.
If you’ve been arrested for DWI/DUI, you need an experienced Dearborn, MO DWI/DUI lawyer to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome. Call Combs Waterkote immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation. With 40+ years of combined experience and over 10,000 cases successfully handled in Dearborn and across Missouri, our legal team is prepared to build a strong defense and aggressively advocate for you in Dearborn, MO.
Legal Videos
DWI Stop Advice – Always Have Your Paperwork Ready
DWI/DUI Stop Advice and Tips. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte provide a real-time walkthrough of the proper actions to take—and crucial mistakes to avoid—during a DWI/DUI …
(Making Of) DWI Behind the Scenes Video – Bonus Footage
Before we could shoot our behind-the-scenes video, there was… this. A quick glimpse at the setup, the laughs, and everything that didn’t quite make the final cut. While this is a fun video …
Behind the Scenes of a DWI/DUI Traffic Stop (Step-by-Step Walkthrough)
Missouri criminal defense and DWI attorneys Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte provide a real-time walkthrough of the proper actions to take—and crucial mistakes to avoid—during a DWI/DUI …
What Is the Process of Going to Court for a DWI?
What happens when you go to court for a DWI or DUI charge? Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte outline what to expect when going to court for a DWI or DUI.
Long Term Consequences of a DWI
What are the long-term consequences of a DWI? Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte discuss the potential long-term consequences of a DWI or DUI conviction on your …
What to Do If You Are Pulled Over for DWI in Missouri
What actions should you take if you are pulled over for suspicion of a DWI in Missouri? Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte discuss how to handle the difficult situation of …
DWI Stop Advice – Always Have Your Paperwork Ready
DWI/DUI Stop Advice and Tips. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte provide a real-time walkthrough of the proper actions to take—and crucial mistakes to avoid—during a DWI/DUI …
(Making Of) DWI Behind the Scenes Video – Bonus Footage
Before we could shoot our behind-the-scenes video, there was… this. A quick glimpse at the setup, the laughs, and everything that didn’t quite make the final cut. While this is a fun video …
Behind the Scenes of a DWI/DUI Traffic Stop (Step-by-Step Walkthrough)
Missouri criminal defense and DWI attorneys Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte provide a real-time walkthrough of the proper actions to take—and crucial mistakes to avoid—during a DWI/DUI …
What Is the Process of Going to Court for a DWI?
What happens when you go to court for a DWI or DUI charge? Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte outline what to expect when going to court for a DWI or DUI.
Long Term Consequences of a DWI
What are the long-term consequences of a DWI? Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte discuss the potential long-term consequences of a DWI or DUI conviction on your …
What to Do If You Are Pulled Over for DWI in Missouri
What actions should you take if you are pulled over for suspicion of a DWI in Missouri? Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte discuss how to handle the difficult situation of …
Combs Waterkotte Defends You on Both Fronts of Your Dearborn, MO DWI/DUI
If you’ve been charged with DWI/DUI in Dearborn, MO, your case isn’t just about criminal charges—it also involves an adminstrative battle over your driver’s license. The criminal case, class B misdemeanor, could lead to 6 months of jail time, fines of $500, a 90-day license suspension, and a permanent record, as well as mandatory participation in a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and required purchase of SR-22 insurance, while the civil case, handled by the Missouri Department of Revenue, could result in the loss of your driving privileges.
The civil case is the lesser known of the two sides. However, the Combs Waterkotte Dearborn, MO DWI/DUI lawyers provide a wealth of information on protecting your license, next steps to follow, and more. You have 15 days following your arrest to request an administrative hearing or your license will automatically be suspended or revoked. If you are successful in the hearing, you get your license back. If you lose, your license will be suspended or revoked. Suspension periods range from 30 days to 1 year. Revocation periods are 1 year. Both could be followed by mandatory installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for at least 6 months.
Don’t fight this battle alone—let a Combs Waterkotte Dearborn, MO DWI/DUI lawyer handle both sides of your case. Give us a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
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Protect Your License
You have only 15 days to request an administrative hearing. Act quickly to protect your driver’s licenses.
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Know Your Next Steps
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Know Your Next Steps
Wondering what happens after your DWI/DUI arrest? The experienced Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.
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Contact the skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI/DUI lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.
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Steps to Take After Being Pulled Over for DWI/DUI in Dearborn, MO
A routine traffic stop in Dearborn, MO is stressful enough, but if an officer suspects you of DWI/DUI, it can quickly escalate into a serious legal matter. The way you handle the situation can affect your charges, defense options, and even potentially the outcome of your case. The Combs Waterkotte DWI/DUI legal team has handled hundreds of DWI/DUI cases and advises drivers to follow these key steps when pulled over on suspicion of DWI/DUI in Dearborn, MO:
- Pull over in a safe manner. Use your turn signal, slow down, and stop in a safe location such as a shoulder or parking lot. Remain calm, keep your hands visible, and comply with the officer’s lawful requests.
- Stay calm and cooperative. The way you interact with a law enforcement officer matters. Being hostile to a police officer will only make them more likely to search your vehicle or subject you to increased scrutiny. Remain calm and composed. Being polite goes a long way when stopped for DWI/DUI in Dearborn, MO.
- Do not incriminate yourself. You are only required to provide your license, registration, and proof of insurance. Beyond that, you do not have to answer questions about where you’ve been or whether you’ve been drinking. Police officers are trained to look for ways to continue an investigation and arrest you, so don’t give them any. If asked, politely state that you wish to exercise your right to remain silent.
- Refuse field sobriety, breathalyzer, and blood tests. While Missouri does have an implied consent law that automatically revokes your driver’s license for one year if you refuse a breathalyzer or a blood test, this only applies after you have been placed under arrest for DWI/DUI. Portable breathalyzers are unreliable and are only used as a way for an officer to get probable cause to arrest you.
- Document everything. If possible, take mental and written notes about the stop. This information can be valuable in building your defense. This includes:
- The location, time, and reason the officer gave for pulling you over.
- The officer’s behavior and whether they followed proper procedures.
- Any dialogue between you and the officer.
- Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as you can at (314) 900-HELP. Your conversation with an attorney is entirely confidential and privileged under Missouri law. Getting advice from a knowledgeable Dearborn, MO DWI/DUI lawyer about whether you should answer questions at the station, any issues that arose during your stop, or other questions you might have can make the difference between losing the ability to drive, as well as possibly going to jail, and your case potentially being dismissed.
Knowing the possible consequences of a DWI/DUI charge is crucial, and a Combs Waterkotte attorney will walk you through them—and more—during a free, confidential case review. DWI/DUI laws can differ between jurisdictions, even within Dearborn, MO, and Johnson County. That’s why it’s important to speak with a DWI/DUI lawyer who understands the specific laws in your area and can provide guidance tailored to your case.
Free book
Don’t “Blow” Your DWI/DUI Case: Key Mistakes to Avoid
Combs Waterkotte, Missouri and Southern Illinois’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.
When you hire a Combs Waterkotte DWI/DUI lawyer in the Dearborn, MO area, you’re not just choosing a leading DWI/DUI lawyer in Dearborn, MO and throughout Missouri – you are safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with esteemed DWI/DUI attorneys, our legal team is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for Dearborn, MO residents:
Why You Need a Dearborn, MO DWI/DUI Lawyer
Unfortunately, many Dearborn, MO residents make the mistake of thinking they can handle a DWI/DUI charge on their own. Missouri’s drunk driving laws are complex, and without skilled legal representation, you could be looking at harsh penalties that affect your livelihood and reputation. Here’s why hiring a DWI/DUI lawyer in Dearborn, MO is critical:
- Expert Legal Defense in Dearborn, MO — A DWI/DUI lawyer knows the intricate details of the legal system and can challenge any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
- Protecting Your Driver’s License — An attorney can help you navigate administrative proceedings to prevent or reduce the length of a license suspension.
- Challenging Test Results — Breathalyzers and field sobriety tests aren’t always accurate; a Dearborn, MO DWI/DUI lawyer can dispute flawed evidence and improper procedures.
- Negotiation Skills — A skilled Dearborn, MO DWI/DUI lawyer can negotiate for reduces penalties, alternative sentencing, or even dismissal of charges.
Need a DWI/DUI Lawyer in Dearborn, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Right Away
A DWI/DUI charge in Dearborn, MO is a serious matter—don’t risk your future by facing it alone. The sooner you hire a skilled Dearborn, MO DWI/DUI lawyer, the stronger your defense will be.
At Combs Waterkotte, our DWI/DUI lawyers in Dearborn, MO have a proven track record of successfully defending clients against charges. Let us fight for your rights and work toward the best possible outcome. Call (314) 900-HELP as soon as possible or contact us online for a free case review in Dearborn, MO.
