DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Franklin County, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Franklin County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you need the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Franklin County, MO are dedicated to providing you with the best possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Franklin County, MO, arrange a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Franklin County, MO where you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever your situation, you need the best legal representation available in Franklin County, MO. 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 immediately.
Hiring a determined Franklin County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact a Franklin County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Franklin County, MO can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Franklin County, 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.
The penalties for DWI in Franklin County, 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: 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: 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.
Franklin County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Franklin County and Missouri.
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 are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. Here are the steps you should follow according to 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 location. Maintain your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay 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 your vehicle to demonstrate you’re 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 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 Franklin County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can politely decline questions by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I would rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Franklin County, 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.
- Call a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
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 get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Franklin County, MO. Our firm provides:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Franklin County, 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 Franklin County, 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 Franklin County, MO area against these accusations. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in Franklin County, MO
We begin with a thorough, confidential, free consultation to understand the specifics of your Franklin County, MO case. This allows our talented team in Franklin County, 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 Franklin County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Franklin County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Franklin County, MO. Our lawyers investigate every angle 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 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 the Franklin County, MO area.
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, presenting a compelling defense strategy on your behalf. We present supporting evidence and testimony, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. 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 Franklin County, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Franklin County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the ideal DWI attorney in Franklin County, 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 Franklin County, MO residents:
- Gun Crime Lawyer
- Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
Reach Out to the Leading Franklin County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Franklin County, 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 safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Franklin County, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Franklin County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.