Kearney, MO

DWI/DUI Lawyer in Kearney, MO. A DWI/DUI charge in Kearney, MO can have life-altering consequences, from hefty fines and potential jail time to a suspended license and long-term damage to your reputation. The legal system is tough on drunk driving cases, which is precisely why you need a skilled Kearney, MO DWI/DUI lawyer on your side.

If you’ve been arrested for DWI/DUI, you need an experienced Kearney, MO DWI/DUI lawyer to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome. Call Combs Waterkote immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation. With 40+ years of combined experience and over 10,000 cases successfully handled in Kearney and across Missouri, our legal team is prepared to build a strong defense and aggressively advocate for you in Kearney, MO.

Combs Waterkotte Fights Both Sides of Your Kearney, MO DWI/DUI

If you’ve been charged with DWI/DUI in Kearney, MO, your case isn’t just about criminal charges—it also involves an adminstrative battle over your driver’s license. The criminal case, class B misdemeanor, could lead to 6 months of jail time, fines of $500, a 90-day license suspension, and a permanent record, as well as mandatory participation in a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) and required purchase of SR-22 insurance, while the civil case, handled by the Missouri Department of Revenue, could result in the loss of your driving privileges.

The civil case is the lesser known of the two sides. However, the Combs Waterkotte Kearney, MO DWI/DUI lawyers provide a wealth of information on protecting your license, next steps to follow, and more. You have 15 days following your arrest to request an administrative hearing or your license will automatically be suspended or revoked. If you are successful in the hearing, you get your license back. If you lose, your license will be suspended or revoked. Suspension periods range from 30 days to 1 year. Revocation periods are 1 year. Both could be followed by mandatory installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for at least 6 months.

With so much at stake, you need an experienced Kearney, MO DWI/DUI lawyer to fight for you. Combs Waterkotte has the knowledge and experience to handle both sides of your case. Call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

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Don’t “Blow” Your DWI/DUI Case: Key Mistakes to Avoid

Combs Waterkotte, Missouri’s leading DWI/DUI law firm, has handled over 10,000 cases successfully. This ebook guides you through the DWI/DUI defense process and helps you avoid key mistakes.

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Pulled Over for DWI/DUI in Kearney, MO? Here’s What You Should Do

After you have been pulled over by a police officer who suspects that you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it’s natural to be nervous. Being stopped by law enforcement for a moving violation is something that can heighten anxiety and have you feeling overwhelmed, and this is only increased when you are accused of impaired driving. Having handled hundreds of Kearney, MO-area DWI/DUI cases, our firm recommends that you do the following if you are ever pulled over for DWI/DUI:

• Pull over safely. Use your turn signal, slow down, and stop in a safe location such as a shoulder or parking lot. Remain calm, keep your hands visible, and comply with the officer’s lawful requests.
• Remain calm and respectful. A confrontational attitude can work against you. Remain polite and avoid making any sudden movements. The more cooperative and respectful you are in Kearney, MO, the less likely the officer will escalate the situation.
• Avoid self-incrimination. Beyond providing basic documents, you have no obligation to answer questions about drinking or even your whereabouts. Simply state that you are choosing to remain silent.
• Do not take a field sobriety test, a breathalyzer, or a blood test. While Missouri does have an implied consent law that automatically revokes your driver’s license for one year if you refuse a breathalyzer or a blood test, this only applies after you have been placed under arrest for DWI/DUI. Portable breathalyzers are unreliable and are only used as a way for an officer to get probable cause to arrest you.
• Take notes on the stop. Note everything you can as quickly as possible, including the reason given for the stop, the officer’s conduct, and any statements exchanged. This could be vital evidence in your defense
• Contact Combs Waterkotte immediately. Legal guidance from an expert Kearney, MO DWI/DUI lawyer can make the difference between the best possible outcome and severe penalties. Your conversation with an attorney is completely confidential, and we can help you with the next steps to protect your rights and driving privileges. Call (314) 900-HELP or reach out online now.

Understanding the potential outcomes of DWI/DUI is essential, and a Combs Waterkotte attorney will do that and more during a free consultation. Laws regarding DWI/DUI vary by jurisdiction, even surrounding Kearney, MO and throughout Johnson County, so it’s advisable to consult with an attorney familiar with the laws in your area for specific advice tailored to your situation.

When you choose a Combs Waterkotte DWI/DUI lawyer in the Kearney, MO area, you’re not just hiring the ideal DWI/DUI lawyer in and around Kearney, MO – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with knowledgeable DWI/DUI attorneys, our staff is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for Kearney, MO residents:

• DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
• Violent Crime Lawyer
• Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Drug Crimes Lawyer
• Gun Crime Lawyer
• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer

Why You Need a Kearney, MO DWI/DUI Lawyer

Many Kearney, MO residents underestimate the seriousness of a DWI/DUI charge and attempt to handle it alone. However, Missouri’s drunk driving laws are strict, and without an experienced DWI/DUI lawyer, you could face severe penalties that impact your job, finances, and future in the Kearney, MO area. Here’s why hiring a DWI/DUI lawyer in Kearney, MO is critical:

• In-Depth Legal Knowledge in Kearney, MO — A DWI/DUI attorney knows the legal system inside and out and can expose flaws in the prosecution’s case.
• Protecting Your Driver’s License — With the right representation, you may avoid or reduce a license suspension through an administrative hearing.
• Challenging Evidence — Field sobriety tests and breathalyzer results aren’t always accurate—an experienced Kearney, MO DWI/DUI lawyer can challenge their validity.
• Skilled Plea Bargaining — A skilled Kearney, MO DWI/DUI lawyer can negotiate for reduces penalties, alternative sentencing, or even dismissal of charges.

Charged with DWI/DUI in Kearney, MO? Take Action Today

If you’ve been arrested for DWI/DUI in or around Kearney, MO, don’t roll the dice and leave your future to chance. The sooner you contact a skilled Kearney, MO DWI/DUI lawyer, the better your chances of securing the best possible outcome in your case.

The Combs Waterkotte DWI/DUI lawyers have successfully defended numerous Kearney, MO DWI/DUI cases, and will fight tenaciously for you. Call us as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free case review in Kearney, MO.