DWI Attorney in Kearney, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Kearney, MO can have major and enduring, if not permanent, consequences on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Kearney, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our experienced Kearney, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to offering you the best possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Kearney, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Kearney, MO DWI attorneys so that you can have a discussion about the specifics of your case and get expert legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Kearney, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever your situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Kearney, 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 expert assistance from Combs Waterkotte right now.
Hiring a determined Kearney, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Kearney, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Kearney, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
Kearney, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Kearney, 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 Kearney, 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, 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.
Clay County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Clay County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Kearney, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Kearney, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Kearney, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been imbibing. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is essential to handle the situation carefully. 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 location. Maintain 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 police office and follow their instructions – this goes a long way.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. You have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement has you pulled over, officers may use various investigative techniques to gather evidence against you. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Kearney, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can politely decline to answer 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 Kearney, 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 Missouri’s implied consent law mandates a one-year license suspension for refusing a breathalyzer after a DWI arrest, this not apply to tests conducted before an arrest. These portable 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 Immediately: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the expert DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable lawyers can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Kearney, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in the Kearney, MO area is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better situation than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you get a fair trial in Kearney, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Kearney, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Kearney, 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 Kearney, MO clients against these types of charges. 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 Kearney, MO
We start with a in-depth, confidential, free case review to understand the details of your Kearney, MO case. This allows our proficient team in Kearney, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Kearney, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Each Kearney, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys develop a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Kearney, MO. Our lawyers 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.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Kearney, MO DWI Attorney
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your 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 clients in and around Kearney, MO.
Court Representation From a Kearney, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Kearney, 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 Kearney, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Kearney, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the best DWI attorney in Kearney, MO and throughout Missouri – you are 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 residents in Kearney and beyond:
- 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 Kearney, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Kearney, MO area? Don’t 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 Kearney, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Kearney, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.