DWI Attorney in Atchison County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Atchison County, MO can have serious and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Atchison County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our experienced Atchison County, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to offering you the strongest possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Atchison County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Atchison County, MO so that you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Atchison County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever the scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Atchison County, MO is crucial. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for driving while intoxicated under the influence of marijuana or some other intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the help of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a determined Atchison County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Atchison County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Atchison County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Atchison County, MO can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Atchison County, 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 Atchison County, 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: Considered a “prior offender” so you face up to 1 year in jail, fines up to $1,000, and a license suspension ranging from 1 to 5 years.
- Third Offense: Classified as 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: In addition to 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.
Atchison County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Atchison County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Atchison County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Atchison County, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Atchison County, MO can be an intimidating experience, especially if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped 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: Safely pull over to the side of the road, using your signal to indicate your intentions, and find a safe, well-lit spot. Keep your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with the 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 or long-winded conversations. After all, 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 don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Atchison County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can politely decline questions 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 Atchison County, 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Atchison County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in Atchison County, MO is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial in Atchison County, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Atchison County, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Atchison County, MO and throughout Missouri, with over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Atchison County, MO area against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Atchison County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a thorough, no-strings-attached, free case review to understand the details of your Atchison County, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Atchison County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Atchison County, MO DWI Attorney
Each Atchison County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Atchison County, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every angle of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Atchison County, MO DWI Attorney
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There might be mitigating circumstances that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Atchison County, MO.
Court Representation From a Atchison County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Atchison County, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, presenting compelling arguments 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, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Atchison County, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Atchison County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the leading DWI attorney in Atchison County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team provides expertise in the following areas for Atchison County, MO residents:
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
- Criminal Lawyer
Reach Out to the Leading Atchison County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Atchison County, MO area? Do not leave your future to chance. Leave it to the skilled and tenacious DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Atchison County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Atchison County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.