DWI lawyer with payment plans in Pettis County, MO. When you’re hit with a DWI charge in Pettis County, MO, the stress isn’t just about court dates and possible penalties—it’s also about how you’ll afford a quality defense. At Combs Waterkotte, we know most people don’t plan for a DWI arrest. That’s why we believe top-tier defense should be financially within reach and offer reasonable, flexible payment plans for DWI cases across the Pettis County, MO area.
You shouldn’t feel cornered into taking a quick plea or walking into court alone because money is tight. With the trusted Pettis County, MO DWI defense firm in your corner and custom payment options designed around your budget, you can push back against the charges, protect your future, and get the skilled 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 Pettis 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 Pettis 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 …
Summary and Key Points
This article explains how individuals facing DWI charges in Pettis 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 Pettis 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 Choose Combs Waterkotte as Your DWI Lawyer with Payment Plans in Pettis 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 Pettis 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 understand—good people end up in tough situations. That’s why Combs Waterkotte offers flexible options. Our Pettis County, MO DWI lawyers with payment plans make high-level defense accessible by providing:
- Manageable start-up costs for many first-time and repeat DWI cases in Pettis County, MO.
- Flexible monthly options designed around real life—your paycheck schedule, your obligations, and the details of your charge.
- Convenient payment choices including major credit cards, debit cards, electronic payments, checks, money orders, and more.
- Clear flat-rate fees 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 Pettis 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 Time Is Not on Your Side After a DWI Arrest in Pettis County, MO
DWI cases in Pettis 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 Pettis County, MO DWI defense attorney steps in fast to:
- Take immediate action to protect your driver’s license
- Challenge breath tests, blood tests, and field sobriety procedures
- Identify constitutional violations or police missteps
- Push for reduced penalties, diversion programs, or dismissal
- Fight your case at trial if necessary
But, most importantly, they protect your future. A DWI conviction in Pettis County, MO can follow you for life. With payment plans available, there is no reason to wait.
What’s at Stake in a DWI Case in the Pettis County, MO Area?
A DWI charge isn’t just a ticket—it’s a life-altering criminal offense. The consequences can be severe and expensive, including:
- Ignition interlock installation
- Increased insurance rates
- Driver’s license suspension or revocation
- Time in jail
- Large fines and court 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 Pettis County, MO DWI defense lawyer with payment plans helps you fight the charge without putting your entire budget in jeopardy.
How Our Pettis County, MO DWI Lawyers Build a Strong Defense
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 Pettis 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
- Challenging the accuracy of breath or blood test results
- Reviewing police body camera footage for mistakes or contradictions
- Verifying the arresting officer’s training and certification
- Uncovering testing errors or faulty equipment
- Negotiating strategically for reduced penalties or dismissal
We examine every detail and pursue every opportunity to weaken the prosecution’s case. When your license, livelihood, and freedom are at risk, you need a DWI defense team in Pettis County, MO that refuses to back down.

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 Pettis County, MO DWI charge? When you choose a Combs Waterkotte DWI lawyer with payment plans in the Pettis County, MO area, you’re not simply choosing the ideal DWI attorney in Pettis County, MO and beyond – you’re safeguarding your financial situation, your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to an experienced DWI lawyer with payment plans, our staff is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Pettis County and beyond:
Immediate Steps to Take After a DWI Arrest in Pettis County, MO
If you’ve been arrested for DWI in or near Pettis County, MO, follow these steps as soon as possible:
Step 1: Keep Your Cool and Don’t Escalate the Stop
A DWI stop in or around Pettis County, MO, 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
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 Pettis County, MO on Your Side—Fast
After a DWI arrest in the Pettis 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 Pettis 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
Some DWI tests in Missouri can trigger penalties if you refuse, so it’s important to know what’s happening in real time. Roadside field sobriety tests are generally voluntary and often become evidence even when they’re performed on uneven pavement, in bad lighting, or while you’re stressed. Portable breath tests on the roadside can also be less reliable than the official testing process. These tests are typically used to build probable cause and support charges—not to “clear you.” Our Pettis County, MO DWI defense attorneys typically advise refusing tests and letting counsel later challenge whether the stop, arrest, and any testing procedures were lawful and accurate.
Step 5: Take Note of Deadlines for Your License
In Pettis County, MO 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 in Pettis County, MO quickly so they can request the proper hearings and protect your driving privileges.
Step 6: Create a Written Record of What Happened in Pettis 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 Pettis 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 Pettis 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 Pettis County, MO DWI lawyer can guide you through each requirement and help minimize the impact on your schedule.

Pettis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Pettis County and Missouri.
Get Affordable, Aggressive Pettis County, MO DWI Representation Today — Call Combs Waterkotte
A DWI charge can feel like everything is crashing down at once—fear about the consequences, pressure from the system, and the added worry of how you’ll afford the legal help you need in Pettis County, MO. Combs Waterkotte is here to change that.
You can afford a top DWI lawyer in Pettis County, MO—because we make it possible.
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.

