DWI Attorney in Wayne County, MO. A dreaded Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge in Wayne County, MO can have serious and long-lasting, if not permanent, implications on your life, including your freedom, finances, and any future housing, career, and personal prospects. If you have been arrested for DWI in Wayne County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri, you deserve the expertise of a seasoned Combs Waterkotte DWI attorney in your corner.
Our knowledgeable Wayne County, MO criminal defense attorneys are devoted to offering you the strongest possible defense, ensuring your rights are upheld at every stage. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a skilled DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte may be able to get your charges in Wayne County, MO reduced or even dropped, arrange a lesser punishment via a plea bargain, or contest your conviction in a trial.
Give Combs Waterkotte a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online for a free, no-obligation case review with one of our Wayne County, MO DWI attorneys where you can have a discussion about the specific circumstances of your case and get confidential legal advice and guidance.
DWI Attorney in Wayne County, MO: Safeguard Your Future With the Combs Waterkotte Lawyers
No matter the situation, procuring the best legal representation throughout the Wayne County, 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 another intoxicating substance, or have been involved in an accident while driving impaired, you need the expertise of Combs Waterkotte immediately.
Hiring an aggressive Wayne County, MO DWI attorney can be the difference between feeling compelled to plead guilty and potentially having your charges reduced or dismissed. Contact a Wayne County, MO DWI attorney without delay at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online.
DWI Attorney in Wayne County, MO: Understanding DWI Penalties in Missouri
DWI charges in Wayne County, MO can carry serious penalties, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Depending on your situation in Wayne 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.
Penalties for DWI in Wayne 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: Classified as 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 Wayne County, MO: Steps to Take If Pulled Over in Wayne County, MO
Being stopped by law enforcement in Wayne County, MO can be an intimidating experience, particularly if you have been partaking in alcoholic drinks. 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:
- Stay Calm and Compliant: Pull over safely to the side of the road, signaling as you do so, finding a safe, well-lit location. Keep 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 are not a threat and are cooperative. Politely greet the police office and follow their instructions, as this can positively influence the encounter.
- Limit Your Conversation: Avoid self-incrimination. 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 don’t have to answer questions about where you’ve been in the Wayne County, MO area, what you have been doing, or whatever it is you’ve been drinking. You can politely decline to answer 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 Wayne 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 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 only used to establish probable cause. Don’t give it to them.
- Contact a DWI Attorney as Soon as Possible: Seek an attorney who specializes in DWI cases, such as the skilled DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte. Our experienced lawyers can help navigate the legal system and safeguard your rights and future. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
DWI Attorney in Wayne County, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Can Help With Your Defense
While facing a DWI charge in Wayne County, MO is certainly daunting, with the right legal representation you can be in a far better scenario than going it alone. Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to offering exceptional DWI defense services, ensuring you get a fair trial in Wayne County, MO and the best possible outcome. We provide:
Extensive Experience & Expertise From Our Wayne County, MO DWI Attorney
The DWI attorney team at Combs Waterkotte has a deep understanding of the DWI laws in Wayne 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 Wayne County, MO area against these types of charges. Our record of success speaks for itself, and we are devoted to total client satisfaction.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation With a Talented DWI Attorney in Wayne County, MO
We start with a in-depth, no-strings-attached, free consultation to understand the specifics of your case. This allows our talented team in Wayne County, 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.
A Wayne County, MO DWI Attorney Who Challenges the Evidence
Every Wayne County, MO DWI case is unique and a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice. The Combs Waterkotte DWI attorneys craft a customized defense strategy based on your individual circumstances in Wayne County, MO. Our lawyers 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.
A Wayne 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 might be mitigating factors that could be used to your advantage. Our goal is to achieve the most favorable outcome for our Wayne County, MO-area clients.
Court Representation From a Wayne County, MO DWI Attorney With Decades of Litigation Experience
If your Wayne County, MO DWI case goes to trial, our attorneys provide robust 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 minimizing the possibility of penalties imposed in Wayne County, MO.
When you are facing a DWI charge in or around Wayne County, MO and choose Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just choosing the leading DWI attorney in Wayne County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re 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 Wayne County, MO residents:
Connect With the Premier Wayne County, MO DWI Attorney Today | Combs Waterkotte
If you are facing a DWI charge in Wayne County, MO, 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 safeguard your rights with the aggressive representation you need in Wayne County, MO.
Take the first step toward protecting your freedom, finances, and future in the Wayne County, MO area by calling a DWI attorney at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.
