DWI Attorney in Hannibal, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Hannibal, MO can have major 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 Hannibal, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Hannibal, MO are devoted 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 DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Hannibal, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Hannibal, MO so that you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Hannibal, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter the situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Hannibal, MO area is vital. 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 expertise of Combs Waterkotte right away.
Hiring an aggressive Hannibal, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Hannibal, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Hannibal, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Hannibal, MO DWI charges can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, 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: 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: 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.
Marion County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Marion County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Hannibal, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Hannibal, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Hannibal, MO can be an harrowing experience, particularly if you have been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation with care. The following are 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 area. Maintain your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay 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, showing you’re not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the police office and follow their instructions – this goes a long way.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. After all, you have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement pulls you over, officers will do everything in their power to arrest you or use “strongarm” investigative techniques. You don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Hannibal, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can politely decline to answer by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I’d rather not answer without legal counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Hannibal, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. An officer might request that you 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can help navigate the legal system and protect your rights and future. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Hannibal, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in the Hannibal, MO area is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going solo. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Hannibal, MO. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Hannibal, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, 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 Talented DWI Attorney in Hannibal, MO
We start with a in-depth, no-obligation, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in Hannibal, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Hannibal, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Hannibal, 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 specific circumstances in Hannibal, MO. Our lawyers meticulously 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Hannibal, MO DWI Attorney
If we decide your case is unlikely to be dismissed, we negotiate plea bargains to reduce charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating factors that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our Hannibal, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Hannibal, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Hannibal, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, presenting compelling arguments 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 lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Hannibal, MO.
When you are charged with a DWI in or around Hannibal, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the leading DWI attorney in Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, MO residents:
- 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
- Criminal Lawyer
Connect With the Premier Hannibal, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Hannibal, 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 lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Hannibal, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Hannibal, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.