DWI lawyer with payment plans in Buchanan County, MO. A DWI arrest in Buchanan County, MO can turn your life upside down—suddenly you’re worried about your license, your record, your job, and how you’ll pay for the legal help you urgently need. At Combs Waterkotte, we believe your ability to defend yourself should never depend on your bank account. That’s why we make experienced DWI representation accessible with flexible payment plans for clients in and around Buchanan County, MO.
No one should feel forced to risk their future or “go it alone” because of upfront legal fees. With the respected Buchanan County, MO DWI defense firm advocating for you—and payment arrangements tailored to your situation—you can aggressively contest the charges, safeguard your license and record, and move forward with confidence.
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 Buchanan County, MO. Our DWI defense team has over 60 years of combined experience and has successfully handled more than 10,000 cases just like yours in Buchanan County 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 …
Article Summary
This article explains how individuals facing DWI charges in Buchanan County, MO 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 Buchanan County, MO 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 Work With Combs Waterkotte for a DWI Defense—and a Payment Plan in Buchanan County, MO?
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 Buchanan County, MO 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 Buchanan County, MO DWI lawyers with payment plans make high-level defense accessible by providing:
- Manageable start-up costs on many first-offense and repeat DWI cases across the Buchanan County, MO area.
- Flexible payment plans designed around real life—your paycheck schedule, your obligations, and the details of your charge.
- Easy ways to pay including major credit cards, debit cards, electronic payments, checks, money orders, and more.
- Transparent flat-fee pricing for most DWI cases—no hourly surprises, with weekly, biweekly, or monthly installments available to keep things predictable.
Most importantly, we don’t adjust the quality of your defense just because you need a payment plan. Our Buchanan County, MO 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 Buchanan County, MO DWI Lawyer—Fast
DWI cases in Buchanan County and throughout Missouri move fast. License suspension deadlines, evidence retention, and police paperwork all start immediately after an arrest. Prosecutors begin building their case right away, and what you do—or don’t do—in the first few days can shape the entire outcome.
A skilled Buchanan County, MO DWI defense attorney steps in fast to:
- Preserve your driving privileges through prompt filing for administrative hearing
- Break down chemical testing and roadside evaluations
- Expose procedural errors or constitutional violations
- Push for reduced penalties, diversion programs, or dismissal
- Prepare and fight aggressively at trial when necessary
Most importantly, fast legal action protects your long-term future. A DWI conviction in Buchanan County, MO doesn’t just go away—and with flexible payment plans available, there’s no reason to delay getting the defense you deserve.
What’s on the Line in a Buchanan County, MO DWI Case?
A DWI charge isn’t just a traffic matter—it’s a serious criminal allegation that can change your life fast. The penalties are often harsh, expensive, and long-lasting, including:
- Ignition interlock installation
- Increased insurance rates
- Driver’s license suspension or revocation
- Possible jail time
- Major fines, fees, and costs
- Employment and licensing consequences
- A criminal record that can follow you for decades or life
Even the financial impact can be crushing. Working with a Buchanan County, MO DWI defense lawyer with payment plans helps you fight the charge without putting your entire budget in jeopardy.
How Our Buchanan County, MO DWI Defense Attorneys Fight for You
At Combs Waterkotte, no two DWI cases are treated the same. We take a tailored approach, building your defense around the exact facts of your Buchanan County, MO arrest, your driving history, and what matters most to you moving forward.
Common elements of our DWI defense include:
- Scrutinizing whether the traffic stop was lawful
- Questioning the reliability of breathalyzer or blood test results
- Reviewing police body camera footage for mistakes or contradictions
- Evaluating officer qualifications and arrest procedures
- Identifying improper testing methods or equipment malfunctions
- Pushing aggressively for charge reductions or case 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.

Free book
Don’t “Blow” Your DWI/DUI Case: Key Mistakes to Avoid
Combs Waterkotte, Missouri and Southern Illinois’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.
Facing a Buchanan County, MO DWI charge? When you hire a Combs Waterkotte DWI lawyer with payment plans in the Buchanan County, MO area, you aren’t simply selecting a leading DWI lawyer in Buchanan County and throughout Missouri – you are securing your financial situation, your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to a knowledgeable DWI lawyer with payment plans, our staff is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for Buchanan County, MO residents:
What to Do Immediately After a DWI Arrest in Buchanan County, MO
If you’ve been arrested for DWI in or near Buchanan County, MO, follow these steps as soon as possible:
Step 1: Stay Respectful and Don’t Fight the Officer on the Roadside
A DWI stop in the Buchanan County, MO area is stressful and can feel unfair—but roadside debates almost never help. Your words, tone, and behavior may be noted in the police report and used to paint you in the worst light later. Keep your composure, comply with basic instructions, and avoid statements or actions that could be interpreted as hostile, uncooperative, or unstable.
Step 2: Use Your Right to Remain Silent
Aside from providing basic identifying information (name, license, registration, and insurance), you do not have to answer investigative questions. When an officer asks, “How much did you drink?” or “Where are you coming from?”, they’re collecting statements to strengthen the case against you. A respectful response like, “I’m going to remain silent and I want to speak with a lawyer,” can protect you by limiting unnecessary admissions.
Step 3: Get a Payment-Plan DWI Attorney in Buchanan County, MO on Your Side—Fast
After a DWI arrest in the Buchanan County, MO area, time is not your friend. The sooner you have counsel, the sooner we can demand videos and reports, fight license consequences, preserve evidence, and start working the case before prosecutors dig in. Call (314) 900-HELP or contact Combs Waterkotte right away. With our Buchanan County, MO DWI payment plan options, you don’t have to choose between protecting your future and keeping up with your bills. We’ll explain what you’re facing in plain English and create a strategy—and a payment plan—that fits from day one.
Step 4: Be Careful With Field Sobriety and Breath Tests
In Missouri, refusing certain tests can carry consequences, so you should understand what you’re being asked to do. Roadside field sobriety tests (walking the line, one-leg stand, etc.) are not legally required and are often used to justify an arrest—even when conditions are unfair, you’re nervous, or the environment makes “passing” unlikely. Portable roadside breath tests are also different from official station testing and can be unreliable. These tools are designed to strengthen the State’s case, not protect you. Our Buchanan County, MO DWI lawyers generally recommend refusing tests, then letting your attorney evaluate whether any testing was done legally and correctly.
Step 5: Take Note of Deadlines for Your License
DWI cases in Buchanan County, MO involve a separate, fast-moving license process that runs alongside the criminal charge. You may have only a short deadline—sometimes just a matter of a couple weeks—to request the right hearing and challenge the administrative suspension. If you let that window close, your license can be suspended by default even before your case is resolved. Keep every piece of paperwork and call a Buchanan County, MO DWI lawyer immediately so action can be taken on time.
Step 6: Document the Stop While It’s Still Fresh in Buchanan County, MO
After a stressful arrest, memory fades fast. As soon as you can, write down a detailed timeline: where you were, what you ate and drank, what the officer said, when tests were requested, what conditions were like (lighting, road surface, weather), and whether anyone witnessed the stop. Small facts—like timing, instructions, and delays—can become major leverage later. Bringing these notes to your first meeting with a Buchanan County, MO DWI attorney helps them move quickly and accurately.
Step 7: Follow All Bond Conditions and Court Dates
From the moment you’re released, assume you’re being watched by the court system. Ignoring bond conditions or skipping court in Buchanan County, MO can lead to warrants, harsher conditions, and reduced negotiating power. Confirm your first court date, follow every restriction, and keep copies of anything you complete (classes, evaluations, IID paperwork, etc.). Your Buchanan County, MO DWI lawyer can guide you through each requirement and help minimize the impact on your schedule.

Buchanan County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Buchanan County and Missouri.
Get Affordable, Aggressive Buchanan County, MO DWI Representation Today — Call Combs Waterkotte
If you feel overwhelmed, scared, or unsure how you will pay for aDWI lawyer in Buchanan County, MO—you are not alone. At Combs Waterkotte, we believe everyone deserves a fair chance and a strong defense.
Top-tier Buchanan County, MO DWI representation is within reach—because we offer payment plans that make it doable.
Call us now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a case evaluation. We’ll walk you through your next steps, review payment plan options, and begin defending you immediately. You fight for your future—we’ll fight with you.

