DWI Attorney St. Joseph, MO

DWI Attorney in St. Joseph, MO. Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charges in St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph, MO or anywhere else in Missouri, you need the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney fighting for you.

Our knowledgeable St. Joseph, MO criminal defense attorneys are committed to offering you the strongest possible defense, making sure your rights are protected every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a talented DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in St. Joseph, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment through a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.

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 St. Joseph, MO DWI attorneys so that you can discuss the specific circumstances of your case and receive expert legal advice and guidance.

DWI Attorney in St. Joseph, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers

No matter the scenario, procuring the best legal representation throughout the St. Joseph, MO area is vital. 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 right now.

Hiring a tenacious St. Joseph, 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. Contact a St. Joseph, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.

DWI Attorney in St. Joseph, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri

St. Joseph, MO DWI charges can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. You may be required, depending on the specifics of your St. Joseph, 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.

The penalties for DWI in St. Joseph, MO include:

• 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, 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: 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.

DWI Attorney in St. Joseph, MO: What You Should Do If Pulled Over in the St. Joseph, MO Area

Being stopped by law enforcement at any time in St. Joseph, MO can be a frightening experience, but particularly so if you’ve been drinking. If you find yourself stopped for a DWI, it is vital to handle the situation carefully. Here are the steps recommended by the Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys:

• Remain Calm and Compliant: Pull over safely to the side of the road, signaling as you do so, finding a safe, well-lit spot. Maintain your composure by taking deep breaths to remain 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, showing you’re not a threat and cooperative. Politely greet the officer and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
• Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. 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 St. Joseph, 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 counsel.”
• Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in St. Joseph, MO, or anywhere else. These tests are subjective and often only used to establish probable cause for your arrest. 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 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 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 today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

DWI Attorney in St. Joseph, MO: How the Esteemed Defense Strategists at Combs Waterkotte Can Help

Facing a DWI charge in or around St. Joseph, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is devoted to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial in St. Joseph, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm provides:

Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our St. Joseph, MO DWI Attorney

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 St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph, MO clients against these accusations. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are dedicated to total client satisfaction.

Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Skilled St. Joseph, MO DWI Attorney

We start with a detailed, no-obligation, free case review to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our proficient team in St. Joseph, MO to evaluate the evidence against you, identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explore potential defense strategies tailored to your circumstances.

A St. Joseph, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence

Every St. Joseph, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach just won’t cut it. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in St. Joseph, MO. Our attorneys meticulously 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 St. Joseph, 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 might be mitigating factors that could be used to your advantage. We always aim for the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around St. Joseph, MO.

Court Representation From a St. Joseph, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience

If your St. Joseph, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, delivering 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 lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in St. Joseph, MO.

When you’re facing a DWI charge in or around St. Joseph, MO and hire Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just hiring the leading DWI attorney in St. Joseph, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing 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 St. Joseph and beyond:

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
• Weapons Crime Attorney

Contact the Ideal St. Joseph, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte

Facing a DWI charge in the St. Joseph, MO area? Don’t leave your future to chance. Leave it to the skilled and tenacious DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in St. Joseph, MO.

Take the crucial first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the St. Joseph, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential consultation.