Underage DWI/DUI Lawyer in St. Louis
Protect Your Freedom and Future with Combs Waterkotte
This content has been written and edited by professional legal writers and individually reviewed and verified by Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte, attorneys who have over 40 combined years in the criminal defense industry.
Underage DWI/DUI Defense Attorney in St Louis:
Protecting Your Future
Combs Waterkotte is the leading criminal defense and traffic firm serving St. Louis and the entire state of Missouri. Our criminal defense attorneys will fight for your freedom, your rights, and will not give up until you get fair justice. Our exceptional record and over 200 reviews speak for themselves. Whether you have been charged with a crime or ticket, we can help.
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We Believe Everyone Is Entitled To The Best St. Louis, MO DWI Defense
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a serious offense that carries severe consequences whether in St. Louis or elsewhere in Missouri. However, when the offender is underage, the situation quickly becomes more critical.
If you or someone you love has been charged with underage drinking and driving, you need the calming presence of the DWI/DUI lawyers at Combs Waterkotte.
You don't have to go through this alone. Contact one of our lawyers today at (314) 900-HELP to protect your future.
In addition to harsh, long-lasting legal consequences, you also have to face potential permanent scrutiny from family, employers, and other social circles. The expert attorneys at Combs Waterkotte will pursue every legal avenue to eliminate the legal consequences of the DWI or DUI charges against you in St. Louis, or severely limit them, even as an underaged individual. 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 us immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation where you can discuss the specifics of your case with one of our expert attorneys.
Click on the links below to learn more about DWI/DUI defense and types of cases:
How Can an Underage DWI/DUI Lawyer Help Me in St. Louis, MO?
When you have an expert Combs Watterkotte underage DWI/DUI defense attorney by your side in St. Louis or anywhere else throughout Missouri, you can take advantage of several critical benefits that can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
What the Expert Underage DWI/DUI Attorneys at Combs Waterkotte Can Make Happen:
- Reduction or dismissal of charges
- Strategic defense development
- Protection of your rights and future
- Minimized penalties
What Can Happen Without the Combs Waterkotte Underage DWI/DUI Lawyers:
- Lack of a strong defense strategy
- Missed opportunities for your charges being reduced
- Unawareness of legal rights and options
- Increased risk of harsher penalties, fines, and long-term consequences
What You Need to Know About Underage DWI/DUI Charges
Underage DWI/DUI refers to instances where individuals under the legal drinking age of 21 are caught driving with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system. Unlike adult DWI/DUI laws, which set the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit at .08%, Missouri enforces a zero-tolerance policy for underage drivers – meaning that if you’re caught with a BAC of .02% while driving, which translates to trace amounts of alcohol in your system, you face an automatic 90-day license suspension.
Understanding Underage DWI/DUI Charges in St. Louis, MO: What Are the Legal Consequences?
The penalties for underage DWI/DUI can be harsh and long-lasting, if not permanent. Under Missouri Revised Statute § 302.400, the consequences increase if you’re a repeat offender. See below:
Underage DWI/DUI: First Offense in St. Louis or Elsewhere in Missouri
Penalties for an underage DWI/DUI first offense in St. Louis include:
- A 90-day license suspension
- Up to 6 months in jail
- A fine of up to $1,000
The 90-day suspension could be replaced with a 90-day limited driving privilege or “hardship license” that means installing an Ignition Interlock Device (IID).
Along with the above fine and prior to the reinstatement of your driver’s license, you’d need to attend a Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program (SATOP). For most first-time offenses without injuries or damages, you would probably be facing a class B misdemeanor. But if an underage passenger is in the vehicle with you, it can turn into a class A misdemeanor.
Underage DWI/DUI: Repeat Offenses in St. Louis or Elsewhere in Missouri
Penalties for an underage DWI/DUI second offense in St. Louis or anywhere else throughout Missouri include:
- 1-year license suspension (will be a 5-year suspension if the previous conviction was less than five years ago)
- IID for at least 6 months
- Up to 1 year in jail
- A fine of up to $2,000
In some cases, your jail sentence could be replaced with probation or a suspended imposition of a sentence (SIS) involving substance abuse treatment, continuous BAC monitoring, and random drug testing. Our attorneys will certainly do whatever they can to fight for an alternative to jail on your behalf. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online. Our expert legal team is available 24/7 and works relentlessly until you get the best possible outcome.
This is typically a class A misdemeanor, although if it leads to injuries or damages, it could become a felony charge.
Penalties for an underage DWI/DUI third offense in St. Louis and Missouri include:
- A 10-year license revocation
- IID for at least 6 months
- Up to 4 years in jail
- Fines of up to $10,000
This is a class D felony charge.
Understanding Underage DWI/DUI Charges in St. Louis, MO: Why Hiring the Right Attorney is Essential
Finding your way through the legal system can be overwhelming, especially given your age. An experienced Combs Waterkotte underage DWI/DUI attorney understands the complexities of the law in St. Louis and throughout Missouri, and can provide invaluable legal advice and guidance. Our lawyers:
- Fight for Dismissal/Not-Guilty Verdicts: We have a successful track record of defending underage DWI/DUI clients from St. Louis and throughout Missouri, getting a number of dismissals and not-guilty verdicts.
- Fight for Reduced Penalties: We can negotiate for lesser charges or alternative sentencing, like participation in diversion programs or community service.
- Protect Your Future: Our attorneys help minimize the long-term impact of a DWI/DUI conviction by building a strong underage DWI/DUI defense, like those listed below.
- Provide Emotional Support: Facing legal charges can be stressful at any age. Combs Waterkotte offers reassurance and helps you understand your options and the possible outcomes.
Defense Strategies the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers Use Against Underage DWI/DUI Charges in St. Louis
If you’re facing underage DWI/DUI charges in St. Louis or anywhere across Missouri, it’s crucial to seek the best possible legal counsel. The underage DWI/DUI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte can utilize several different defense strategies, including:
- Challenging the Traffic Stop: We question the legality of the initial traffic stop. If the stop was not conducted lawfully, any evidence obtained may be inadmissible.
- Questioning the BAC Results: The accuracy of BAC tests – particularly field sobriety tests (FSTs) and breathalyzers – can be contested. Faulty equipment, improper calibration, or incorrect administration of the test can all be grounds for defense. This is precisely why our skilled legal team says the best option is to refuse these tests.
- Proving Lack of Impairment: Even if there was a miniscule amount of alcohol in your system, our attorneys might argue that you were not actually impaired and your driving abilities were unaffected. Perhaps you take medication or live with an ailment or condition that could produce a faulty BAC level.
Contact the Best Underage DWI/DUI Law Firm in St. Louis, MO Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Underage DWI/DUI is a serious offense with far-reaching consequences. If you’re facing these charges, it’s critical to act quickly and seek expert legal representation. Understanding your rights and the legal process can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case, almost as much as hiring the right underage DWI/DUI attorney.
Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-strings-attached case review with one of our expert lawyers.
Helpful Links
For more information on DWI/DUI defense in St. Louis or anywhere else in Missouri, call the Combs Waterkotte criminal defense attorneys right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a confidential consultation.
- Don’t “Blow” Your DWI/DUI Case: Key Mistakes to Avoid
- How Likely is Jail Time for a First Time DWI/DUI Offense in Missouri?
- Can a DWI or DUI Be Reduced in Missouri?
- What Is an Administrative Alcohol Suspension, and How Can I Fight It?
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Whether you've got questions about what to do when served with an order of protection, the juvenile delinquency process, how to defend a DWI case or anything in between, we have answers. Check out our blog and FAQs for answers to common questions, or contact Combs Waterkotte today to speak directly to an attorney about your case.
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