DWI Attorney in Platte City, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in Platte City, MO can have severe and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, affecting your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you have been arrested for DWI in Platte City, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our experienced Platte City, 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 specifics of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to reduce or dismiss your charges in Platte City, MO, negotiate a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in court.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Platte City, MO DWI attorneys so that you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and receive confidential legal advice.
DWI Attorney in Platte City, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter your situation, you need the best legal representation available in Platte City, MO. Whether you’re facing your first DWI charge or your third, have been arrested for 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 right away.
Hiring a tenacious Platte City, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Platte City, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Platte City, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Platte City, MO can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Platte City, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
Penalties for DWI in Platte City, MO amount to:
- 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, so you could face up to 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.
Platte County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Platte County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Platte City, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Platte City, MO
Being pulled over by law enforcement in Platte City, MO can be an harrowing experience, particularly if you have been drinking. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is crucial to handle the situation carefully. The following are steps recommended by 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 area. Maintain your composure, taking deep breaths in order to stay 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, showing you’re 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. After all, you have the right to remain silent. Once law enforcement has you pulled 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 Platte City, MO, activities, or alcohol consumption. You can always politely decline to answer 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 Platte City, MO, or anywhere else for that matter, as they are subjective and typically used only to establish probable cause to arrest you. 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 tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Call 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 safeguard your rights and future. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Platte City, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help
Facing a DWI charge in or around Platte City, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to providing you with exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial and the best possible outcome in Platte City, MO. Our firm offers:
A Platte City, MO DWI Attorney With Extensive Experience & Expertise
With over 60 years of combined experience in criminal defense, the DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Platte City, MO and throughout Missouri. We have the capability to handle the intricacies of DWI charges just like yours, and have had numerous successful results defending Platte City, MO clients against these accusations. We are committed to complete client satisfaction, and our record of success speaks for itself.
An Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented Platte City, MO DWI Attorney
We begin with a detailed, no-obligation, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our skilled team in Platte City, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the prosecution’s case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Platte City, MO DWI Attorney
Each Platte City, 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 individual circumstances in Platte City, MO. Our attorneys investigate every angle 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 Platte City, 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 may also be mitigating factors that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Platte City, MO.
Expert Court Representation From a Platte City, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Platte City, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous 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 primary objective is to establish reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, aiming to secure a not guilty verdict and/or reduce any potential penalties in Platte City, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Platte City, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in Platte City, 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 Platte City, 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 Platte City, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Platte City, 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 lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Platte City, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Platte City, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.