DWI Attorney Columbia, MO

DWI Attorney in Columbia, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Columbia, MO can have severe and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Columbia, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.

Our knowledgeable Columbia, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to offering you the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Columbia, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest 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 Columbia, MO so that you can discuss the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice.

DWI Attorney in Columbia, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team

Whatever the situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Columbia, MO is crucial. 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 help of Combs Waterkotte right now.

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

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

Columbia, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Columbia, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.

The penalties for DWI in Columbia, MO amount to:

• First Offense: You could receive a jail term of up to 6 months, 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: 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: 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.

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

Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Columbia, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation carefully. The following are 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. Maintain your composure by taking deep breaths to remain calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
• Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Place your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches your vehicle to demonstrate you’re not a threat and are cooperative. Politely greet the officer and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
• Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. After all, 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 don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Columbia, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always 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 Columbia, MO, or anywhere else for that matter, as they are subjective and typically used only to establish probable cause to arrest you. 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 tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
• Call a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Give us a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

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

Facing a DWI charge in Columbia, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Columbia, MO. Our firm provides:

A Columbia, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise

The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Columbia, MO and throughout Missouri, with over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Columbia, MO clients against these types of charges. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.

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

We start with a detailed, confidential, free case review to understand the specifics of your Columbia, MO case. This allows our skilled team in Columbia, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.

Personalized Defense Strategies From a Columbia, MO DWI Attorney

Every Columbia, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Columbia, MO. Our attorneys investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the legality of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.

A Columbia, 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 circumstances that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Columbia, MO.

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

If your Columbia, MO DWI case goes to trial, 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, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Columbia, MO.

When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Columbia, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the best DWI attorney in Columbia, MO and throughout Missouri – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Columbia and beyond:

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney

Connect With the Premier Columbia, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte

Facing a DWI charge in the Columbia, MO area? Don’t leave your future to chance. Place it in the trustworthy hands of the tenacious and experienced DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Columbia, MO.

Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Columbia, 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 case review.