DWI lawyer with payment plan in Cleveland, MO. Arrested for DWI in the Cleveland, MO area and worried about the cost? You don’t have to choose between your budget and your defense. The Combs Waterkotte Cleveland, MO DWI lawyers build aggressive, strategic defenses and offer flexible payment plans that make high-quality representation affordable—right now, when you need it most.
Call our skilled DWI defense team right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an expert attorney.
With over six decades of combined experience and more than 10,000 cases successfully handled, we know how to win—and we make it affordable. Our payment plans help everyday people in Cleveland, MO get the defense they deserve, even when finances are tight.
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 …
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Article Summary / Key Takeaways
This page explains how hiring a DWI lawyer with a payment plan in Cleveland, MO gives you immediate protection while spreading costs over time.
- Flexible Financing: Our clients can start their defense right away with payment plans designed to fit their budget.
- Proven Defense Tactics: We challenge stops, testing, and evidence, prepare for trial, and negotiate for dismissals or reductions.
- Fast Action Matters: You have just 15 days to request an administrative hearing to protect your license. Early legal action can save you from suspension or revocation.
- Serious Missouri Penalties: Convictions bring fines, jail, SR-22 filings, and ignition interlock requirements.
- Guided Process for Your Cleveland, MO Case: We walk you through each phase—motions, hearings, negotiations, and potential trial.
- FAQ Coverage: Practical guidance on license protection, plea negotiations, and trial expectations.
- Ongoing Help in Cleveland, MO: Beyond the courtroom, we help with SR-22, hardship licenses, professional license issues, and even record sealing where possible.
- Our Edge: Trial-ready reputation, deep local knowledge, and client-centered billing set us apart.
Key Takeaway: Combs Waterkotte ensures that exceptional DWI representation is affordable and effective, offering payment plans and trial-ready defense to clients throughout Cleveland, MO.
The Advantage of Hiring a Cleveland, MO DWI Attorney with Payment Plans
A DWI case moves fast, and so can consequences to your license, job, and record. Retaining counsel quickly is critical, but a single up-front fee doesn’t fit every reality. A firm that offers payment plans let’s you:
- Get immediate legal protection while breaking fees into manageable installments
- Protect your license and future by addressing deadlines and hearings on time
- Keep your fight for your license, freedom, and clean record alive
We pair courtroom experience with clear, flexible billing so you never feel forced to delay your defense in the Cleveland, MO area.
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.
Inside a Cleveland, MO DWI Defense Strategy
Every DWI case in Cleveland, MO and beyond is different. We tailor your strategy to what the state can actually prove, not what they allege.
- Stop analysis — Did the officer have lawful grounds to pull you over?
- Arrest procedures — Were field sobriety tests administered and scored correctly?
- Chemical evidence — Calibration, maintenance logs, chain of custody, and operator certification all matter.
- Medical & environmental factors — Medical issues, injuries, or outside conditions can create false signs of impairment.
- Bodycam & dashcam review — We scrutinize dashcam and bodycam footage for inconsistencies with police reports.
- Challenging the case — From suppression motions to full dismissals, we use every legal tool to weaken the prosecution.
Our Mission in Cleveland, MO: reduce or dismiss charges, protect your license, minimize penalties, and avoid jail whenever possible.
Time-Sensitive: From the moment you’re notified, you have only 15 days to request an administrative hearing with the Missouri Department of Revenue to protect your license. Our team files this right away on your behalf.
Understanding Our DWI Payment Plans in Cleveland, MO
We make it possible to secure immediate legal protection in Cleveland, MO, while spreading your costs into manageable, predictable payments.
- No-Cost Consultation
We break down your Cleveland, MO charges, important deadlines, and likely defense approaches. - All-Inclusive Pricing
No hidden fees. If additional work like a jury trial becomes necessary, you’ll know about it upfront. - Flexible Structure
- Low initial retainer to get started
- Installments set weekly, biweekly, or monthly
- Customized terms based on your case and situation
- Transparent Case Stages in Cleveland, MO
You’ll see exactly what’s included—administrative hearing, discovery, motions, negotiations, and trial prep.
Our Commitment: We make high-quality Cleveland, MO DWI defense both affordable and predictable, so you can focus on your future—not just your finances.
Potential Penalties for a DWI in Cleveland, MO
Even a first-time DWI can carry heavy consequences. Depending on your situation, you may be required to deal with:
- Loss of your driver’s license (often begins 15 days after notice if you don’t act)
- Court-ordered SATOP, treatment programs, or community service
- Ignition interlock required to regain or keep limited driving privileges
- SR-22 insurance and higher premiums
- Jail time or probation especially with prior DWI convictions or elevated BAC results
- Fines & court costs

Cleveland, MO DWI Case Process: Step-by-Step
Getting charged with DWI in Cleveland, MO is overwhelming enough. The cost of hiring a lawyer shouldn’t stop you from protecting your future. At Combs Waterkotte, we fight for your license, your record, and your peace of mind, and we offer flexible payment plans that make real legal help accessible.
With a Cleveland, MO DWI lawyer offering payment plans, you’ll have a proven defense team supporting you throughout the timeline of your case:
1. Arrest & Initial Release
- Do not discuss your case with anyone but your Cleveland, MO DWI lawyer.
- Contact Combs Waterkotte immediately—your license clock is already ticking.
2. License Defense Window
We request the administrative hearing and a stay (when available) to keep you driving legally.
3. Investigation & Discovery
- We dig into test results, equipment logs, and officer reports
- Challenge the legality of the stop and file motions to throw out flawed evidence
4. Plea Discussions & Pretrial Motions
- Use flaws in the state’s case to push for dropped or reduced charges in Cleveland, MO
- Pursue diversion programs, amended charges, or creative sentencing alternatives
5. Trial Preparation & Courtroom Defense
- Develop trial strategy including jury selection, witnesses, and cross-exams
- Challenge the prosecution’s evidence directly in front of the judge or jury
Throughout: Your Combs Waterkotte Cleveland, MO DWI lawyer with a payment plan keeps you informed, with full transparency at each stage of the case.
Facing DWI charges in Cleveland, MO and need financial assistance? When you hire a Combs Waterkotte DWI lawyer in or around Cleveland, MO with a payment plan, you’re not only choosing a top-rated DWI defense lawyer in Cleveland, MO and throughout Missouri – you are relieving yourself of immediate financial constraints, as well as protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to experienced DWI defense lawyers, our staff is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Cleveland and beyond:

FAQs: DWI Defense & Payment Plans in Cleveland, MO
Is a payment plan really available in Cleveland, MO?
Yes. We build a customized plan around your case phase and budget so you can hire an experienced Cleveland, MO DWI lawyer immediately.
Will using a payment plan impact my defense?
No. Your DWI defense strategy and effort are never tied to how you pay. We treat every case like it’s going to trial.
Can you help me keep my license?
We act quickly to request a hearing and fight the suspension. Results depend on the facts, but timing is everything.
What if I didn’t take the breath test?
Refusing under Missouri’s implied consent law can create extra hurdles—but also opens up defenses. We’ll investigate whether police followed the law to the letter.
Should I just plead guilty?
No, not before we evaluate your evidence. Many cases have fixable flaws (stop, testing, procedure) that can change the outcome.
Do I have to appear at every hearing?
Often, no. We can stand in for you at many hearings, though we’ll make sure you know exactly when your presence is mandatory.
Why Our Cleveland, MO DWI Lawyers With Payment Plans Stand Out
DWI charges require specialized knowledge of local laws, procedural guidelines, and evidence. A Combs Waterkotte Cleveland, MO DWI lawyer with payment plan provides:
- Flexible Payment Solutions: Flat fees + payment plans = clarity, access, and control.
- Local Resources & Insight: Our experience with Cleveland, and nearby courts means we know what to expect—and how to prepare.
- Reputation for Trial Readiness: Prosecutors make better offers when they know we’ll try the Cleveland, MO case.
- DWI-Focused Investigation: We scrutinize stops, video, field tests, and maintenance logs that many attorneys never request.
- Motion Practice that Matters: Suppression wins can collapse the state’s case even before trial in the Cleveland, MO area.

Protect Your Future With a Cleveland, MO DWI Lawyer Who Offers Payment Plans
A DWI arrest in Cleveland, MO can put your license, reputation, and freedom at risk immediately. The sooner you bring in experienced counsel, the more options you’ll have. With flexible payment plans, Combs Waterkotte makes it possible to secure skilled defense without the financial strain.
Call (314) 900-HELP or reach out online today for a free consultation with a DWI attorney in Cleveland, MO. Don’t wait—every day matters.


