DWI Attorney in Maries County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Maries County, MO can have major and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Maries County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our experienced Maries County, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a skilled Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Maries County, MO, arrange a lesser penalty through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in court.
Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our DWI attorneys in Maries County, MO where you can speak about the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Maries County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter the situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Maries County, 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 help of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a tenacious Maries 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. Contact a Maries County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Maries County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Maries County, MO can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on your situation in Maries County, 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.
The penalties for DWI in Maries County, MO amount to:
- First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, 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, as well as the suspension of your license.
Maries County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Maries County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Maries County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in the Maries County, MO Area
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Maries County, MO can be an harrowing experience, particularly if you have been drinking. If you are pulled over for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation carefully. Here are the 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, taking deep breaths in order to stay calm throughout the interaction with the police officer.
- Keep Your Hands Visible and Be Polite: Place your hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches your vehicle to demonstrate you’re 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 pulls you over, officers will do everything in their power to arrest you or use “strongarm” investigative techniques. You are not obligated to answer questions about your whereabouts near Maries County, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can politely decline questions 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 Maries 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 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 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, 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 today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Maries County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in or around Maries County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Maries County, MO. Our firm offers:
A Maries County, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Maries 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 Maries County, MO area against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled DWI Attorney in Maries County, MO
We begin with a detailed, confidential, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our proficient team in Maries 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 Maries County, MO DWI Attorney
Every Maries County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a tailored defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Maries County, 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 Maries 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 circumstances that could be used in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our Maries County, MO-area clients.
Expert Court Representation From a Maries County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Maries County, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting a compelling defense strategy on your behalf. We cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and present supporting evidence and testimony. 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 Maries County, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Maries County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the ideal DWI attorney in Maries 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 Maries 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
Contact the Ideal Maries County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Maries 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 Maries County, MO.
Take the first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Maries County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.