DWI Attorney in Bates County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Bates County, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Bates County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Bates County, MO are committed to providing you with the best possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Bates County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Bates County, MO where you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice.

DWI Attorney in Bates County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter the scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Bates County, MO. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana or some other intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring an aggressive Bates County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Bates County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Bates County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Bates County, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Bates County, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Bates 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: 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, penalties can include 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, as well as the suspension of your license.
Bates County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Bates County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Bates County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Bates County, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Bates County, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. The following are steps you should follow according to the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Remain Calm and Compliant: Pull over safely to the side of the road, signaling as you do so, finding a safe, well-lit location. 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’re not a threat and are cooperative. Politely greet the officer and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination or long-winded conversations. 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 Bates 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 advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Bates 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.
- Call a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Bates County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in or around Bates County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is committed to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Bates County, MO. We provide:
A Bates County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Bates 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 had numerous successful results defending Bates County, MO clients against these accusations. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Bates County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a in-depth, no-obligation, free case review to understand the specifics of your Bates County, MO case. This allows our talented team in Bates County, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your situation.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Bates County, MO DWI Attorney
Each Bates County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Bates County, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Bates County, MO DWI Attorney
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating circumstances that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Bates County, MO area.
Expert Court Representation From a Bates County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Bates County, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, presenting a compelling defense strategy on your behalf. We present supporting evidence and testimony, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. Our primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Bates County, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Bates County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Bates County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re 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 residents in Bates County and beyond:
Connect With the Premier Bates County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Bates County, MO, don’t 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 safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Bates County, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Bates County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.