DWI Attorney in Vernon County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Vernon County, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and your future housing, career, and personal opportunities. If you are facing these charges in Vernon County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney by your side.
Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys in Vernon County, MO are committed to providing you with the best possible defense, safeguarding your rights every step of the way. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, a talented Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney may be able to get your charges in Vernon County, MO reduced or even dropped, negotiate a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or fight your conviction in a trial.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Vernon County, MO DWI attorneys so that you can speak about the specifics of your case and receive expert legal advice.

DWI Attorney in Vernon County, MO: Protect Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
Whatever your situation, securing top-tier legal representation in Vernon County, MO is crucial. Whether you’ve been charged with your first DWI or your third, have been arrested for driving while intoxicated 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 right away.
Hiring an aggressive Vernon County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between possibly feeling like you have to plead guilty and possibly having your charges reduced or even dismissed. Call a DWI attorney in Vernon County, MO right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Vernon County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Vernon County, MO can result in severe consequences, like fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Vernon County, 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 Vernon County, 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: 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: A Class C felony, you will be facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years, as well as the suspension of your license.
Vernon County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Vernon County and Missouri.
DWI Attorney in Vernon County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Vernon County, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Vernon County, MO can be an intimidating experience, particularly if you have been drinking. If you are pulled over 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 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 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 don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Vernon 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 counsel.”
- Refuse Sobriety Tests: You are not legally required to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs) in Vernon County, 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 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 portable tests are unreliable and, like FSTs, are used primarily to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Reach Out to a DWI Attorney Immediately: It is crucial to consult with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, like the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our knowledgeable legal team can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.
DWI Attorney in Vernon County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
Facing a DWI charge in Vernon County, MO can be overwhelming, but with the right legal representation, your situation can improve significantly. Combs Waterkotte is committed to offering exceptional DWI defense services, making sure you get a fair trial in Vernon County, MO and the best possible outcome. Our firm offers:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Vernon County, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Vernon 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 had numerous successful results defending Vernon County, MO clients 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 Vernon County, MO
We start with a thorough, confidential, free case review to understand the details of your case. This allows our talented team in Vernon County, MO to evaluate the evidence against you and identify potential weaknesses or holes in the case, along with likely avenues for defense strategies.
A Vernon County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Vernon County, MO DWI case is unique and a generic approach won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys build a customized defense strategy based on your specific circumstances in Vernon County, MO. Our attorneys meticulously investigate every aspect of your case, from the initial traffic stop to the actual arrest. We scrutinize the validity of the stop and the procedures followed by law enforcement.
A Vernon County, 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 circumstances that could be used in your defense. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our clients in and around Vernon County, MO.
Expert Court Representation From a Vernon County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Vernon County, MO DWI case proceeds to trial, our attorneys provide vigorous representation in court, presenting compelling arguments on your behalf. We cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and present supporting evidence and testimony. Our priority is casting reasonable doubt on the prosecution’s case, securing a verdict of not guilty and/or lessening the possibility of penalties imposed in Vernon County, MO.
When you’re charged with a DWI in or around Vernon County, MO and partner with Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the best DWI attorney in Vernon 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 residents in Vernon County and beyond:
Reach Out to the Leading Vernon County, MO DWI Attorney Right Away | Combs Waterkotte
If you’re facing a DWI charge in Vernon 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 lawyers are ready to fight for you and your rights, and provide the aggressive defense you need in Vernon County, MO.
Take the crucial first step in protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Vernon County, MO area by reaching out to a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free and confidential case review.