DWI Attorney in Shelby County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Shelby 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 opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Shelby County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.
Our experienced Shelby County, MO criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the best possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Shelby County, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser penalty via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Shelby County, MO DWI attorneys so that you can speak about the specific circumstances of your case and get expert legal advice.
Legal Videos

DWI Stop Advice – Always Have Your Paperwork Ready
DWI/DUI Stop Advice and Tips. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte provide a real-time walkthrough of the proper actions to take—and crucial mistakes to avoid—during a DWI/DUI …

(Making Of) DWI Behind the Scenes Video – Bonus Footage
Before we could shoot our behind-the-scenes video, there was… this. A quick glimpse at the setup, the laughs, and everything that didn’t quite make the final cut. While this is a fun video …

Behind the Scenes of a DWI/DUI Traffic Stop (Step-by-Step Walkthrough)
Missouri criminal defense and DWI attorneys Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte provide a real-time walkthrough of the proper actions to take—and crucial mistakes to avoid—during a DWI/DUI …

What Is the Process of Going to Court for a DWI?
What happens when you go to court for a DWI or DUI charge? Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte outline what to expect when going to court for a DWI or DUI.

Long Term Consequences of a DWI
What are the long-term consequences of a DWI? Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte discuss the potential long-term consequences of a DWI or DUI conviction on your …

What to Do If You Are Pulled Over for DWI in Missouri
What actions should you take if you are pulled over for suspicion of a DWI in Missouri? Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte discuss how to handle the difficult situation of …
DWI Attorney in Shelby County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Legal Team
No matter your situation, you need the best legal representation available in Shelby 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 help of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring a determined Shelby County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Shelby County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Shelby County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Shelby County, MO can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Shelby County, MO, you may be required to complete a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) program and be responsible for filing SR-22 insurance.
The penalties for DWI in Shelby County, MO amount to:
- First Offense: Penalties may include up to 6 months in jail, fines 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: 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, as well as the suspension of your license.

DWI Attorney in Shelby County, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in Shelby County, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Shelby County, MO can be an intimidating experience, particularly if you have been imbibing. 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: 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 your vehicle to demonstrate you are not a threat and are cooperative. Politely greet the officer and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination or long-winded conversations. After all, 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 Shelby County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. 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 Shelby 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 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.
- 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 experienced lawyers can guide you through the legal process and protect your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
Shelby County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Shelby County and Missouri.

DWI Attorney in Shelby County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in or around Shelby 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 in Shelby County, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
A Shelby County, 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 Shelby County, MO and throughout Missouri. We are adept at managing the complexities of DWI charges just like yours, and have successfully defended numerous clients in the Shelby 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 Shelby County, MO
We begin with a thorough, confidential, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our proficient team in Shelby County, MO to assess the evidence against you and identify possible weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
Personalized Defense Strategies From a Shelby County, MO DWI Attorney
Each Shelby County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Shelby County, MO. Our lawyers meticulously investigate every angle of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the arrest, closely examining the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
Skilled Plea Bargain Negotiations From Our Shelby County, MO DWI Attorney
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 in your defense. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in the Shelby County, MO area.
Court Representation From a Shelby County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Shelby County, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting 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 minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Shelby County, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Shelby County, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just selecting the ideal DWI attorney in Shelby County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing 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 Shelby County, MO residents:

Connect With the Premier Shelby County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
Facing a DWI charge in the Shelby County, MO area? Don’t leave your future to chance. Leave it to the skilled and tenacious DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our legal team is prepared to defend you and uphold your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Shelby County, MO.
Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Shelby County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.

