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DWI Attorney Joplin, MO

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Last Updated: June 7, 2024

DWI Attorney in Joplin, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Joplin, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Joplin, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.

Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Joplin, MO are dedicated to providing you with the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Joplin, MO, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.

Give Combs Waterkotte a call as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Joplin, MO where you can speak about the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice.

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DWI Attorney in Joplin, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team

Whatever your scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Joplin, MO. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been charged with driving under the influence of marijuana or another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte immediately.

Hiring a determined Joplin, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Joplin, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

DWI Attorney Joplin, MO | Criminal Defense in Joplin, MO | Joplin, MO DWI Lawyers

DWI Attorney in Joplin, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri

DWI charges in Joplin, MO can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Joplin, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.

Penalties for DWI in Joplin, MO amount to:

  • First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, fines of up to $500, and a 30-day license suspension followed by a 60-day restricted driving period.
  • Second Offense: Classified as a “prior offender,” penalties include up to 1 year in jail, fines up to $1,000, and a license suspension ranging from 1 to 5 years.
  • Third Offense: Now considered a “persistent offender” and a Class E felony offense, so you could face up to 4 years in prison, fines up to $5,000, and a 10-year license revocation.
  • Fourth Offense: Along with a Class D felony offense, you may receive a prison sentence up to 7 years, fines up to $5,000, and license suspension.
  • Fifth Offense: This is a Class C felony, and you can expect a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.

DWI Attorney in Joplin, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Joplin, MO Area

Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Joplin, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. The following are steps you should follow according to the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:

  • Stay Calm and Compliant: Pull over safely to the side of the road, signaling as you do so, finding a safe, well-lit area. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with the police officer.
  • Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Place your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches your vehicle to demonstrate you are not a threat and are cooperative. Politely greet the police office and follow their instructions – this goes a long way.
  • Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. You have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement has you pulled over, officers may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Joplin, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can politely decline to answer by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I’d rather not answer without legal counsel.”
  • Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Joplin, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. An officer may ask you to take a portable breath test, or breathalyzer. While the state of Missouri has an implied consent law that suspends your license for 1 year if you refuse a breathalyzer – called chemical revocation – this is only applicable after a DWI arrest, not before. These portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
  • Contact a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

DWI Attorney Joplin, MO | Leading Criminal Defense DWI Law Firm Joplin, MO | Combs Waterkotte

DWI Attorney in Joplin, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help

Facing a DWI charge in Joplin, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial in Joplin, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:

Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Joplin, MO DWI Attorney

With more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense, the DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Joplin, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Joplin, MO clients against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.

An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in Joplin, MO

We begin with a detailed, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our proficient team in Joplin, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.

A Joplin, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence

Every Joplin, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a tailored defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Joplin, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the legality of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.

Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Joplin, MO DWI Attorney

If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There might be mitigating factors that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Joplin, MO area.

Expert Court Representation From a Joplin, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience

Should your Joplin, MO DWI case go to trail, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering a compelling defense strategy on your behalf. We cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and present supporting evidence and testimony. Our priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Joplin, MO.

When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Joplin, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Joplin, MO and throughout Missouri – you are securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team provides expertise in the following areas for Joplin, MO residents:

DWI Attorney Joplin, MO | DWI Criminal Defense in Joplin, MO | Combs Waterkotte

Connect With the Premier Joplin, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte

If you are facing a DWI charge in Joplin, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Joplin, MO.

Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Joplin, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.

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