DWI/DUI Lawyer in Cleveland, MO. A DWI/DUI charge in Cleveland, MO can have life-altering consequences, from hefty fines and potential jail time to a suspended license and long-term damage to your reputation. The legal system is tough on drunk driving cases, which is precisely why you need a skilled Cleveland, MO DWI/DUI lawyer on your side.
If you have been pulled over and are facing DWI/DUI charges, you need an expert Cleveland, MO DWI/DUI lawyer on your side immediately. Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online so that we can get to work building your defense in Cleveland, MO. Our attorneys—who have over 60 years of combined experience and have successfully handled 10,000+ cases just like yours throughout the Cleveland, MO area and across Missouri—are available for free, confidential consultations where they can discuss the specifics of your case and provide expert legal guidance on next steps.
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 Cleveland, MO DWI/DUI
Many Cleveland, MO residents don’t realize that a DWI/DUI charge involves both a criminal case and a civil case with the Missouri Department of Revenue. The criminal case, classified as a class B misdemeanor, can result in 6 months of jail time, a fine of up to $500, 8 points on your driving record, a 90-day driver’s license suspension, and additional penalties like mandatory participation in a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and purchasing SR-22 insurance.
Few people realize that they have only 15 days from the date of arrest to request a hearing to challenge their license suspension or revocation. If you win, you keep your license. If you lose, you could face a suspension of 30 days to a year or even a 1-year revocation with an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) requirement.
With so much at stake, you need an experienced Cleveland, MO DWI/DUI lawyer to fight for you. Combs Waterkotte has the knowledge and experience to handle both sides of your case. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
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Protect Your License
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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.
Stay Informed
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Get Started Now
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Ready to Talk to an Expert?
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 Cleveland, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement is always nerve-wracking, but when you’re suspected of DWI/DUI, the situation can feel overwhelming. Knowing your rights and how to respond can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. With decades of experience handling hundreds of DWI/DUI cases in and around Cleveland, MO, our firm recommends taking the following steps if you’re ever pulled over for a suspicion of DWI/DUI:
- Pull over in a safe manner. As soon as you notice flashing lights behind you, safely pull your vehicle over to the side of the road. Keep your hands visible, remain polite, and follow the officer’s instructions (within reason). If you are on a road with a shoulder, pull over there, or find a nearby parking lot. Try to avoid parking on grass.
- Remain calm and respectful. 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 Cleveland, MO.
- Exercise your right to remain silent. Beyond providing basic documents, you have no obligation to answer questions about drinking or even your whereabouts. Simply state that you are choosing to remain silent.
- Decline field sobriety and any breathalyzer, or 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.
- Record key details. Note everything you can as quickly as possible, including the reason given for the stop, the officer’s conduct, and any statements exchanged. This could be vital evidence in your defense
- Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as you can at (314) 900-HELP. The sooner you consult an experienced Cleveland, MO DWI/DUI lawyer, the better your chances of avoiding harsh penalties. Your rights and future are at stake.
Understanding the potential outcomes of DWI/DUI is essential, and a Combs Waterkotte attorney will do that and more during a free consultation. Laws regarding DWI/DUI vary by jurisdiction, even surrounding Cleveland, MO and throughout Johnson County, so it’s advisable to consult with an attorney familiar with the laws in your area for specific advice tailored to your situation.
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 Cleveland, MO DWI/DUI lawyer, you aren’t just hiring a leading DWI/DUI lawyer in Cleveland, MO and beyond – you’re securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with esteemed DWI/DUI attorneys, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for Cleveland, MO residents:
Why You Need a Cleveland, MO DWI/DUI Lawyer
Many people in Cleveland, MO assume they can handle a DWI/DUI charge without legal help, only to find themselves facing severe consequences. Missouri’s drunk driving laws are tough, and without a knowledgeable attorney, you risk losing your license, paying heavy fines, or even serving jail time. Here’s why having a DWI/DUI lawyer in Cleveland, MO is vital:
- Expert Legal Defense in Cleveland, 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 License — With the right representation, you may avoid or reduce a license suspension through an administrative hearing.
- Challenging Test Results — Breathalyzers and field sobriety tests are not accurate. A skilled Cleveland, MO DWI/DUI lawyer can scrutinize the validity of test results and procedural errors by law enforcement.
- Skilled Plea Bargaining — From plea negotiations to charge reductions, a skilled Cleveland, MO DWI/DUI lawyer improves your chances of a favorable outcome.
Charged with DWI/DUI in Cleveland, MO? Take Action Today
A DWI/DUI charge in Cleveland, MO is a serious matter—don’t risk your future by facing it alone. The sooner you hire a skilled Cleveland, MO DWI/DUI lawyer, the stronger your defense will be.
The Combs Waterkote Cleveland, MO DWI/DUI legal team has successfully handled numerous charges and will aggressively advocate on your behalf. Give us a call as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case evaluation in Cleveland, MO.
