DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Buchanan County, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Buchanan County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Buchanan County, MO are devoted to offering you the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Buchanan County, MO, arrange a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Buchanan County, MO so that you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice and guidance.

DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
No matter the scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Buchanan County, MO. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been charged with 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 expertise of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring a determined Buchanan County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Buchanan County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Buchanan County, MO can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Buchanan 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.
The penalties for DWI in Buchanan 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, 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, as well as the suspension of your license.
Buchanan County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Buchanan County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Buchanan County, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Buchanan County, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. Here are the 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 location. Maintain your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with the 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, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- 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 Buchanan County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. 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 Buchanan County, MO, or anywhere else for that matter, as they are subjective and typically used only to establish probable cause to arrest you. 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.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in or around Buchanan County, 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 receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Buchanan County, MO. Our firm provides:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Buchanan County, 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 Buchanan County, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Buchanan County, 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 Talented Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney
We start with a detailed, no-obligation, free case review to understand the specifics of your Buchanan County, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Buchanan County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Buchanan County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Buchanan County, MO. Our lawyers 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 Buchanan County, 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 circumstances that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our Buchanan County, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Buchanan County, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting compelling arguments 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 lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Buchanan County, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Buchanan County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in Buchanan County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting 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 Buchanan County, MO residents:
Contact the Ideal Buchanan County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Buchanan County, 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 Buchanan County, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Buchanan County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.