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DWI Attorney Franklin County, MO

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Last Updated: June 7, 2024

DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Franklin County, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Franklin County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.

Our experienced Franklin County, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to providing you with the best possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Franklin County, MO, arrange a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.

Give Combs Waterkotte a call as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Franklin County, MO DWI attorneys where you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice.

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DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team

Regardless of your situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Franklin County, 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 expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte right away.

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

DWI Attorney Franklin County, MO | Criminal Defense in Franklin County, MO | Franklin County, MO DWI Lawyers

DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri

Franklin County, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Franklin County, 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.

Penalties for DWI in Franklin County, 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: 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, so you could face up to 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.

DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Franklin County, MO

Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Franklin County, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. Here are the 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 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 are not a threat and are cooperative. Politely greet the officer and follow their instructions – this goes a long way.
  • Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination or long-winded conversations. 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 Franklin County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can always politely decline questions by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I would rather not answer without legal counsel.”
  • Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Franklin County, 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 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 as Soon as Possible: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced legal team can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights and future. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

DWI Attorney Franklin County, MO | Leading Criminal Defense DWI Law Firm Franklin County, MO | Combs Waterkotte

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

Facing a DWI charge in Franklin County, 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 Franklin County, MO. We provide:

A Franklin County, 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 Franklin County, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Franklin County, MO area against these types of charges. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.

Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO

We begin with a in-depth, confidential, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our proficient team in Franklin County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your situation.

A Franklin County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence

Every Franklin County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a personalized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Franklin County, MO. Our lawyers investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.

A Franklin County, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in Negotiating Plea Bargains

If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce 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 Franklin County, MO.

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

If your Franklin County, MO DWI case goes 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 priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Franklin County, MO.

When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Franklin County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in Franklin County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing 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 residents in Franklin County and beyond:

DWI Attorney Franklin County, MO | DWI Criminal Defense in Franklin County, MO | Combs Waterkotte

Reach Out to the Leading Franklin County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte

If you’re facing a DWI charge in Franklin County, MO, don’t 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 Franklin County, MO.

Take the first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Franklin County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.

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