DWI Attorney in Cottleville, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Cottleville, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Cottleville, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Cottleville, MO are dedicated to offering you the best possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Cottleville, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Cottleville, MO DWI attorneys where you can speak about the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Cottleville, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever your situation, you need the best legal representation available in Cottleville, MO. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been arrested for driving while intoxicated under the influence of marijuana or another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the help of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a tenacious Cottleville, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Cottleville, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Cottleville, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Cottleville, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Cottleville, 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 Cottleville, 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: 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: 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, as well as the suspension of your license.
St. Charles County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Charles County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Cottleville, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Cottleville, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement in Cottleville, MO can be an intimidating experience, especially if you have been imbibing. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation with care. The following are 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 location. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with the officer.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Place your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches, showing you are not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the police office 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 has you pulled over, officers will do everything in their power to arrest you or use “strongarm” investigative techniques. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Cottleville, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. 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 Cottleville, 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team 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 Cottleville, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in Cottleville, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Cottleville, MO. Our firm provides:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Cottleville, 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 Cottleville, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Cottleville, MO clients against these accusations. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Cottleville, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a detailed, confidential, free consultation to understand the details of your Cottleville, MO case. This allows our talented team in Cottleville, MO to evaluate 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 Cottleville, MO DWI Attorney
Every Cottleville, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Cottleville, MO. Our lawyers 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 Cottleville, 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 in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our Cottleville, MO-area clients.
Court Representation From a Cottleville, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Cottleville, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide robust 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, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Cottleville, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Cottleville, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Cottleville, 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 provides expertise in the following areas for Cottleville, 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
Connect With the Premier Cottleville, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Cottleville, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Leave it to the skilled and tenacious DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Cottleville, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Cottleville, 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 case review.