DWI Attorney in Lafayette County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Lafayette County, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you are facing these charges in Lafayette County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our knowledgeable Lafayette County, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to offering you the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Lafayette County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty 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 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our DWI attorneys in Lafayette County, MO where you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Lafayette County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of your situation, you need the best legal representation available in Lafayette 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 expertise of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring an aggressive Lafayette County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Lafayette County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Lafayette County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Lafayette County, MO can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Lafayette County, 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 Lafayette County, 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: 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, along with the suspension of your license.
Lafayette County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Lafayette County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Lafayette County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Lafayette County, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Lafayette County, MO can be an intimidating experience, especially if you have been drinking. 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: Safely pull over to the side of the road, using your signal to indicate your intentions, and find a safe, well-lit area. Maintain your composure by taking deep breaths to remain 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 police office and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. 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 Lafayette County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can always politely decline to answer 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 Lafayette County, 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: It is crucial to consult with 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 contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Lafayette County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in Lafayette County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the best 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 Lafayette County, MO. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Lafayette County, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Lafayette County, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Lafayette County, MO area against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Lafayette County, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a detailed, no-obligation, free consultation to understand the details of your case. This allows our proficient team in Lafayette County, 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 Lafayette County, MO DWI Attorney
Each Lafayette County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Lafayette County, 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 Lafayette County, MO DWI Attorney Who is Adept at Negotiating Plea Bargains
If dismissal of your case is unlikely, we work to negotiate plea bargains that can your charges and penalties. There may also be mitigating circumstances that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Lafayette County, MO.
Court Representation From a Lafayette County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Lafayette County, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering compelling arguments on your behalf. We cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and present supporting evidence and testimony. Our priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Lafayette County, MO.
When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around Lafayette County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the ideal DWI attorney in Lafayette County, MO and throughout Missouri – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to DWI defense from our esteemed DWI attorney, our legal team offers expertise in the following areas for Lafayette County, MO residents:
- Homicide Lawyer
- Assault Lawyer
- Rape Defense Lawyer
- Sex Offense Lawyers
- Crime Defense Lawyers
- Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
- Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
- Criminal Lawyer
Reach Out to the Leading Lafayette County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Lafayette County, MO, 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 safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Lafayette County, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Lafayette County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.