DWI lawyer with payment plans in St. Louis, Missouri. Being charged with DWI anywhere in the St. Louis area brings a sense of panic, not just about the criminal consequences surrounding your driver’s license and future but about how you’re going to be able to afford the legal help you need. At Combs Waterkotte, we believe a strong defense shouldn’t be out of reach—for anyone in or around St. Louis. That’s why we offer flexible payment plans for DWI cases.
You should never feel forced to plead guilty or face the system alone because of cost. With the leading St. Louis DWI defense firm on your side, and payment options that fit your budget, you can fight back, protect your future, and get the experienced legal team you deserve.
Call Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an expert DWI lawyer with payment plans in St. Louis. Our DWI defense team has over 60 years of combined experience and has successfully handled more than 10,000 cases just like yours in St. Louis and across Missouri.
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 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 …
Article Summary
This article explains how individuals facing DWI charges in St. Louis can access skilled legal representation through flexible payment plans at Combs Waterkotte. It highlights the serious consequences of a DWI arrest, why fast legal action is essential, and how affordable payment options make high-quality defense accessible to everyone. The article outlines how our skilled St. Louis DWI defense attorneys challenge evidence, protect driving privileges, and build strong defense strategies tailored to each case. It also emphasizes our proven experience, client-centered approach, and commitment to helping clients navigate the legal system without financial strain.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
400+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 60 Years
Why Choose Combs Waterkotte as Your DWI Lawyer with Payment Plans in St. Louis?
Here’s the truth: a single DWI can flip your life upside down long before you ever see a courtroom. License on the line, job at risk, fines stacking up—most people in St. Louis facing a DWI charge didn’t budget for “sudden criminal defense fees.” You’re trying to keep up with rent, car payments, kids, and now… a drunk driving charge.
We get it—good people find themselves in bad situations. That’s exactly why Combs Waterkotte offers flexible options. Our St. Louis DWI lawyers with payment plans make high-level defense accessible by providing:
- Low upfront payments on many first-time and repeat DWI cases in the St. Louis area.
- Flexible payment plans built around real-world budgets, structured to fit your income, obligations, and the specifics of your case.
- Simple, convenient payment methods including major credit cards, debit cards, electronic payments, checks, money orders, and more.
- Transparent flat-fee pricing for most DWI matters, so you know the cost from the start—with weekly, biweekly, or monthly installments available instead of surprise hourly invoices.
Most importantly, we don’t adjust the quality of your defense just because you need a payment plan. Our St. Louis DWI defense lawyers still bring the same aggressive strategy, motion practice, and trial readiness we’re known for. You’re not shopping for a nice car or luxury yacht—you’re protecting your record, your license, and your future. At Combs Waterkotte, we treat it that way.
Why You Need a Skilled St. Louis DWI Lawyer—Fast
DWI charges in Missouri move quickly. From driver’s license suspension deadlines to police reports and evidence preservation, the first few days are critical. Prosecutors jump into action immediately, and every decision you make during this time can dramatically affect your case.
A knowledgeable St. Louis DWI defense attorney can:
- Protect your driver’s license through timely administrative filings
- Challenge breath tests, blood tests, and field sobriety procedures
- Expose procedural errors or constitutional violations
- Negotiate for reduced penalties, treatment options, or case dismissal
- Fight your case at trial if necessary
But, most importantly, they protect your future. A DWI conviction can follow you for life. With payment plans available, there is no reason to wait.
What’s at Stake in a St. Louis DWI Case?
A DWI charge isn’t just a ticket—it’s a life-altering criminal offense. The consequences can be severe and expensive, including:
- Mandatory ignition interlock devices
- Increased insurance rates
- Driver’s license suspension or revocation
- Jail time
- Large fines and court costs
- Employment consequences
- A permanent criminal record
The financial fallout alone can be overwhelming. Choosing a St. Louis DWI defense lawyer who offers payment plans allows you to get high-quality representation without sacrificing financial stability.
How Our St. Louis DWI Lawyers Build a Strong Defense
At Combs Waterkotte, we don’t take a cookie-cutter approach. Every St. Louis DWI case is unique, and we build your defense around the specific details of your arrest, your background, and your goals.
Our defense strategies often include:
- Challenging the legality of the traffic stop
- Questioning the reliability of breathalyzer or blood test results
- Analyzing police body cam footage for errors or inconsistencies
- Examining the officer’s training and certification
- Investigating improper testing procedures or equipment failures
- Negotiating aggressively for reduced charges or dismissal
We look at every angle and leave no stone unturned. You deserve a relentless defense—especially when your freedom, future, and finances are on the line.
What to Do Immediately After a DWI Arrest in St. Louis
Here are the steps to follow if you’ve been arrested for DWI in the St. Louis area:
Step 1: Stay Calm and Avoid Arguing With Police
A DWI stop in St. Louis, or anywhere else for that matter, is stressful, embarrassing, and scary—but getting angry or arguing with the officer will only make things worse. Anything you say or do can be written into the police report and used against you later. Stay as calm and polite as you can, keep your hands visible, follow basic instructions, and avoid making any sudden movements or emotional outbursts that could be misinterpreted as aggression or noncompliance.
Step 2: Use Your Right to Remain Silent
Beyond providing your basic information (name, license, registration, insurance), you are not required to answer detailed questions about where you were, what you drank, or how you feel. When officers ask, “How much have you had to drink?” or “Where are you coming from?”, they’re looking for evidence to build a case against you. A simple, respectful response such as, “I’d like to remain silent and speak with an attorney,” is often the safest choice. Exercising this right early can limit the amount of damaging evidence the State has to work with.
Step 3: Contact a St. Louis DWI Lawyer With Payment Plans Right Away
The most important step after a DWI arrest in St. Louis is getting experienced legal help as quickly as possible. Early representation allows your lawyer to request videos and reports, challenge license suspensions, preserve evidence, and start negotiating with prosecutors before they lock into a harsh position. Call (314) 900-HELP or contact Combs Waterkotte immediately. Our St. Louis DWI lawyers with payment plans make it possible to get high-level defense on your side without waiting for “better timing” or scrambling for one giant upfront fee. We’ll walk you through your options, explain your risks in plain English, and build a plan, for your case and for your budget, from day one.
Step 4: Be Careful With Field Sobriety and Breath Tests
In Missouri, some tests can carry consequences if refused. Roadside field sobriety tests (like walking a line or standing on one leg) are not legally required and are often used solely to justify an arrest, even if they’re done in poor lighting, on uneven ground, or while you’re nervous. Portable, roadside breath tests are also not as reliable as the official tests given at the station. You should understand that these tests are primarily tools for building the State’s case, not helping you. Our St. Louis DWI lawyers suggest refusing all tests. We can later evaluate whether any tests were administered properly and whether your rights were violated.
Step 5: Take Note of Deadlines for Your License
In many DWI cases, you only have a short window of time to challenge the administrative suspension of your driver’s license. This deadline can be as short as a couple of weeks from the date of your arrest. If you miss it, your license may be automatically suspended—even if your criminal case is still pending. As soon as you’re released, keep any paperwork the officer gave you and contact a lawyer quickly so they can request the proper hearings and protect your driving privileges.
Step 6: Write Down Everything You Remember
Details fade quickly after a stressful event. As soon as you are able, write down everything you recall about the stop and arrest: where you were coming from, what you had to eat and drink, what the officer said, when you were asked to do tests, how you performed, and whether there were witnesses. Small details—like weather, road conditions, or how long you waited before a test—can become powerful tools in your defense. Bringing this written timeline to your first meeting with a DWI attorney helps them hit the ground running.
Step 7: Follow All Bond Conditions and Court Dates
Missing a court date or ignoring bond conditions can make your situation much worse. You may face additional charges, warrants, or stricter conditions. Check your paperwork for your first appearance date, any restrictions on travel, alcohol consumption, or ignition interlock requirements, and follow them exactly. A DWI lawyer can help you keep track of appearances and, in some cases, may appear on your behalf for certain hearings to reduce the disruption to your work and family life.
Get Affordable, Aggressive St. Louis DWI Representation Today — Call Combs Waterkotte
If you feel overwhelmed, scared, or unsure how you will pay for a St. Louis DWI lawyer—you are not alone. At Combs Waterkotte, we believe everyone deserves a fair chance and a strong defense.
You can afford a top DWI lawyer in St. Louis—because we make it possible.
Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case evaluation. We’ll explain your options, discuss payment plans, and start building your defense immediately. Your future is worth fighting for. With Combs Waterkotte, you don’t have to fight alone.
