DWI Attorney Benton, MO

DWI Attorney in Benton, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Benton, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Benton, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you need the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.

Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Benton, MO are devoted 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 talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Benton, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.

Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Benton, MO so that you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice.

DWI Attorney in Benton, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers

Regardless of your scenario, securing top-tier legal representation in Benton, MO is crucial. 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 the help of Combs Waterkotte immediately.

Hiring an aggressive Benton, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Benton, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

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

DWI charges in Benton, MO can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Benton, 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 Benton, 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: Classified as 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: 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: 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.

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

Being pulled over by law enforcement in Benton, MO can be an harrowing experience, particularly if you have been imbibing. 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, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with the police officer.
• Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep 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 Benton, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can always politely decline questions by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I would rather not answer without legal counsel.”
• Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Benton, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. An officer might request that you take a portable breath test, or breathalyzer. While Missouri’s implied consent law mandates a one-year license suspension for refusing a breathalyzer after a DWI arrest, this not apply to tests conducted before an arrest. These portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
• Call a DWI Attorney Immediately: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

DWI Attorney in Benton, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense

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

Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Benton, MO DWI Attorney

The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Benton, 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 Benton, MO area against these accusations. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.

An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Benton, MO DWI Attorney

We start with a in-depth, confidential, free consultation to understand the details of your Benton, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Benton, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.

Personalized Defense Strategies From a Benton, MO DWI Attorney

Each Benton, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Benton, MO. Our lawyers 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 Benton, MO DWI Attorney

If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating factors that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Benton, MO area.

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

If your Benton, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous 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 primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Benton, MO.

When you are charged with a DWI in or around Benton, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the leading DWI attorney in Benton, MO and throughout Missouri – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team offers expertise in the following areas for Benton, MO residents:

• Weapons Crime Attorney
• DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
• Violent Crime Lawyer

Connect With the Premier Benton, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte

Facing a DWI charge in the Benton, MO area? Do not leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Benton, MO.

Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Benton, 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.