DWI Attorney in Hazelwood, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Hazelwood, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Hazelwood, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced Hazelwood, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to offering you the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. 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 Hazelwood, MO, negotiate a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Hazelwood, MO DWI attorneys where you can discuss the specifics of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Hazelwood, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Whatever your situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Hazelwood, MO area is vital. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been charged with driving 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 immediately.
Hiring a tenacious Hazelwood, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Hazelwood, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Hazelwood, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Hazelwood, MO can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Hazelwood, MO case, to enroll in and complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and file for SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Hazelwood, 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: Now considered 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, along with the suspension of your license.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Hazelwood, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Hazelwood, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Hazelwood, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation with care. 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. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with the police officer.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep 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, 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 Hazelwood, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can 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 Hazelwood, 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 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 crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers 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 in Hazelwood, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in Hazelwood, MO is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is committed to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you get a fair trial in Hazelwood, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:
A Hazelwood, 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 Hazelwood, 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 Hazelwood, MO clients against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in Hazelwood, MO
We begin with a in-depth, no-obligation, free case review to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our skilled team in Hazelwood, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Hazelwood, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Hazelwood, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a personalized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Hazelwood, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the legality of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
A Hazelwood, 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 in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Hazelwood, MO area.
Court Representation From a Hazelwood, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Hazelwood, MO DWI case go to trail, 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, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Hazelwood, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Hazelwood, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the leading DWI attorney in Hazelwood, 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 Hazelwood, MO residents:
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
Contact the Ideal Hazelwood, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Hazelwood, MO, don’t leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Hazelwood, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Hazelwood, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.