DWI Attorney in Lawrence County, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Lawrence County, MO can have severe and enduring, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Lawrence County, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Lawrence County, MO are devoted to providing you with the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specifics of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Lawrence County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Lawrence County, MO where you can speak about the specifics of your case and get expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Lawrence County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
Regardless of the situation, you need the best legal representation available in Lawrence County, MO. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been charged with driving while intoxicated 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 tenacious Lawrence County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Lawrence County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Lawrence County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Lawrence County, MO can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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, 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.
Lawrence County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Lawrence County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Lawrence County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Lawrence County, MO Area
Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in Lawrence County, MO can be a frightening experience, but especially so if you’ve been partaking in alcoholic drinks. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial 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: Keep your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches, showing you are not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the officer 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 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 Lawrence County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can politely decline questions by saying, “I prefer not to answer that question,” or “I’d rather not answer without legal advice.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Lawrence County, MO, or anywhere else for that matter, as they are subjective and typically used only to establish probable cause to arrest you. An officer may ask you to 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 as Soon as Possible: It is critical to seek the advice of 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 now at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Lawrence County, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
While facing a DWI charge in the Lawrence County, 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 offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you receive a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Lawrence County, MO. We provide:
A Lawrence County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a comprehensive understanding of the DWI laws in Lawrence County, MO and throughout Missouri, with more than 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Lawrence County, MO area against these types of charges. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled Lawrence County, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a in-depth, no-strings-attached, free case review to understand the specifics of your Lawrence County, MO case. This allows our talented team in Lawrence County, MO to assess the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore possible defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Lawrence County, MO DWI Attorney
Each Lawrence County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Lawrence County, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the legality of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
A Lawrence County, MO DWI Attorney Who is Skilled in Negotiating Plea Bargains
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. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Lawrence County, MO area.
Court Representation From a Lawrence County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
Should your Lawrence County, MO DWI case proceed to trail, our attorneys provide robust representation in court, delivering a compelling defense strategy 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 minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Lawrence County, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Lawrence County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Lawrence County, 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 provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Lawrence County and beyond:
- 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 Lawrence County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Lawrence County, MO area? Don’t leave your future to chance. Trust the experienced and determined DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Lawrence County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Lawrence County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential case review.