Cape Girardeau, MO

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

Our experienced Cape Girardeau, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to offering you the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Cape Girardeau, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.

Give Combs Waterkotte a call as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Cape Girardeau, MO DWI attorneys where you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice and guidance.

DWI Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers

Regardless of the situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Cape Girardeau, MO area is vital. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been charged with driving 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 now.

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

DWI Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri

DWI charges in Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, MO amount to:

• First Offense: You could receive a jail term of up to 6 months, 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, along with the suspension of your license.

DWI Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Cape Girardeau, MO

Being pulled over by law enforcement in Cape Girardeau, MO can be an intimidating experience, especially if you have been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps you should follow according to the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:

• Remain 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: Place your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches, showing you’re not a threat and 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. You have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement pulls you over, officers will do everything in their power to arrest you or use “strongarm” investigative techniques. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, 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 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 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 expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

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

While facing a DWI charge in the Cape Girardeau, MO area is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial in Cape Girardeau, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm offers:

Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Cape Girardeau, MO DWI Attorney

The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, MO clients 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 Cape Girardeau, MO DWI Attorney

We begin with a in-depth, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the specifics of your Cape Girardeau, MO case. This allows our proficient team in Cape Girardeau, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.

Personalized Defense Strategies From a Cape Girardeau, MO DWI Attorney

Every Cape Girardeau, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Cape Girardeau, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every angle 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 Cape Girardeau, 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 clients in and around Cape Girardeau, MO.

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

Should your Cape Girardeau, 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Cape Girardeau, MO.

When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Cape Girardeau, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the best DWI attorney in Cape Girardeau, 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 offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Cape Girardeau and beyond:

• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
• Criminal Lawyer

Contact the Ideal Cape Girardeau, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte

Facing a DWI charge in the Cape Girardeau, MO area? Don’t leave your future to chance. Leave it to the skilled and tenacious DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Cape Girardeau, MO area by calling 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.