DWI Attorney in Carrollton, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Carrollton, MO can have serious and long-lasting, 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 Carrollton, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced Carrollton, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to providing you with the strongest possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Carrollton, MO, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Carrollton, MO DWI attorneys where you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Carrollton, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of the situation, you need the best legal representation available in Carrollton, MO. 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 Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Carrollton, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Carrollton, MO can result in severe consequences, such as fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, MO include:
- First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, fines up to $500, and a 30-day license suspension followed by a 60-day restricted driving period.
- Second Offense: Considered a “prior offender” so you face 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, along with the suspension of your license.
Carroll County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Carroll County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Carrollton, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Carrollton, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Carrollton, MO can be an intimidating experience, especially if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. The following are steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:
- Stay Calm and Compliant: Pull over safely to the side of the road, signaling as you do so, finding a safe, well-lit spot. 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, showing you’re 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 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 Carrollton, 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 advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Carrollton, 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 used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Contact a DWI Attorney Immediately: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Carrollton, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in Carrollton, MO is certainly daunting, with the ideal legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is committed to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial in Carrollton, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Carrollton, MO DWI Attorney
With over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense, the DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, MO area 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 Talented DWI Attorney in Carrollton, MO
We begin with a thorough, confidential, free case review to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our talented team in Carrollton, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the case, as well as likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Carrollton, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Carrollton, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Carrollton, MO. Our attorneys investigate every angle 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 Carrollton, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in Negotiating Plea Bargains
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 to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Carrollton, MO area.
Court Representation From a Carrollton, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Carrollton, MO DWI case go 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 primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or minimize any potential penalties in Carrollton, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Carrollton, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, MO residents:
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
- Criminal Lawyer
Reach Out to the Leading Carrollton, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Carrollton, MO area? Do not leave your future to chance. Place it in the trustworthy hands of the tenacious and experienced DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Carrollton, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Carrollton, 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 consultation.