DWI Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Cape Girardeau, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Cape Girardeau, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Cape Girardeau, MO are dedicated to offering you the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Cape Girardeau, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
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 Cape Girardeau, MO where you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice.

DWI Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever the scenario, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Cape Girardeau, MO area is vital. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge 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 expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring a determined Cape Girardeau, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have 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
Cape Girardeau, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Cape Girardeau, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program, as well as being responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Cape Girardeau, 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.
Cape Girardeau County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Cape Girardeau County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Cape Girardeau, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Cape Girardeau, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been imbibing. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps recommended by 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 area. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches, showing you are not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the officer 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 may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Cape Girardeau, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. 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 Cape Girardeau, 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Contact 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 experienced legal team can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in Cape Girardeau, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial in Cape Girardeau, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
A Cape Girardeau, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
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 Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, MO area against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO
We start with a detailed, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in Cape Girardeau, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
A Cape Girardeau, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Cape Girardeau, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Cape Girardeau, 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.
A Cape Girardeau, MO DWI Attorney Who is Adept at Negotiating Plea Bargains
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 to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve 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, delivering a compelling defense strategy 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Cape Girardeau, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Cape Girardeau, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the ideal DWI attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team offers expertise in the following areas for Cape Girardeau, MO residents:
Reach Out to the Leading Cape Girardeau, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Cape Girardeau, MO, 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 in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Cape Girardeau, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.