DWI Attorney in Kennett, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Kennett, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Kennett, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you should have the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Kennett, MO are committed to offering you the strongest possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Kennett, 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 case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Kennett, MO where you can discuss the specifics of your case and receive confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Kennett, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Regardless of your scenario, you need the best legal representation available in Kennett, MO. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for driving while intoxicated 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 Kennett, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Kennett, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Kennett, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Kennett, MO can carry serious penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Kennett, 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.
Penalties for DWI in Kennett, MO include:
- 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: 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, as well as the suspension of your license.
DWI Attorney in Kennett, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the Kennett, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement at any time in Kennett, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been drinking. 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: Safely pull over to the side of the road, using your signal to indicate your intentions, and find a safe, well-lit location. Keep your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with law enforcement.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Keep 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 or long-winded conversations. 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 Kennett, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can always politely decline questions 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 Kennett, 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.
- Contact a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the expert 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 Kennett, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in Kennett, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is committed to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Kennett, MO. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Kennett, MO DWI Attorney
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 Kennett, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Kennett, MO clients against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented Kennett, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a thorough, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our proficient team in Kennett, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Kennett, MO DWI Attorney
Each Kennett, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Kennett, 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.
A Kennett, 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 factors that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our Kennett, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Kennett, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Kennett, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, delivering compelling arguments on your behalf. We present supporting evidence and testimony, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. Our priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Kennett, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Kennett, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in Kennett, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Kennett and beyond:
Reach Out to the Leading Kennett, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Kennett, 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 legal team is prepared to defend you and uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Kennett, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, your finances, and your future in the Kennett, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.
