DWI lawyer with payment plans in St. Louis, MO. Being charged with DWI anywhere in the St. Louis, MO 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, MO. That’s why we offer flexible payment plans for DWI cases.
You shouldn’t feel cornered into taking a quick plea or walking into court alone because money is tight. With the trusted St. Louis, 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.
Contact Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP or send us a message online to set up a free, confidential consultation with a seasoned DWI lawyer with payment plans in St. Louis, MO. Our DWI defense team brings over 60 years of combined experience and has successfully resolved 10,000+ cases for clients 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 …
Summary and Key Points
This article explains how Combs Waterkotte helps clients facing DWI charges in St. Louis, MO secure high-level defense with payment plans that fit real-life budgets. It highlights the serious legal and license-related consequences of a DWI, the urgency of getting counsel involved early, and the ways flexible pricing can remove cost as a barrier to quality representation. You’ll also learn how our St. Louis, MO DWI defense attorneys attack weak evidence, challenge improper stops or testing, pursue options that protect your driving privileges, and guide you through the process with an aggressive, experienced, and client-centered approach—without adding unnecessary financial stress.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
400+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 60 Years
Why Hire Combs Waterkotte as Your St. Louis, MO DWI Lawyer With Payment Plans?
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, 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.
That’s where we come in. Combs Waterkotte helps good people through hard moments with strong defense and flexible payment options. Our St. Louis, MO DWI lawyers with payment plans make serious representation accessible by providing:
- Manageable start-up costs on many first-time and repeat DWI cases in the St. Louis, 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 other options.
- 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, 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 Acting Quickly Matters When Facing a DWI in St. Louis, MO
DWI charges in St. Louis and across 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 skilled St. Louis, MO DWI defense attorney steps in fast to:
- Protect your driver’s license through timely administrative filings
- Break down chemical testing and roadside evaluations
- Expose procedural errors or constitutional violations
- Pursue reduced charges, alternative sentencing, or dismissal
- Stand ready to take your case to trial if needed
Most importantly, fast legal action protects your long-term future. A DWI conviction in St. Louis, MO doesn’t just go away—and with flexible payment plans available, there’s no reason to delay getting the defense you deserve.
What Are You Really Facing in a DWI Case in the St. Louis, MO Area?
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:
- Mandatory ignition interlock requirements
- Increased insurance rates
- Driver’s license suspension or revocation
- Jail time
- Steep fines and court fees
- Employment consequences
- A permanent criminal record
The financial fallout alone can be overwhelming. Choosing a St. Louis, MO DWI defense lawyer who offers payment plans allows you to get high-quality representation without sacrificing financial stability.
Our Proven Approach to Defending DWI Cases in St. Louis, MO
Combs Waterkotte does not rely on shortcuts or one-size-fits-all strategies. Each St. Louis, MO DWI case demands a focused, personalized defense built around the evidence, the law, and your long-term goals.
Our DWI defense strategies often include:
- Attacking unlawful or unsupported traffic stops
- Exposing flaws in breathalyzer and blood testing
- Analyzing police body cam footage for errors or inconsistencies
- Examining the officer’s training and certification
- Investigating improper testing procedures or equipment failures
- 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 St. Louis, 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 DWI charge in St. Louis, MO? When you choose a Combs Waterkotte DWI lawyer with payment plans in the St. Louis, MO area, you aren’t only choosing a top-rated DWI lawyer in and around St. Louis, MO – you are securing your financial situation, your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with an esteemed DWI lawyer with payment plans, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for St. Louis, MO residents:
- Federal Felony Lawyers
- Weapon Crime Defense Lawyer
- Federal Sex Crimes Defense Attorney
- Criminal Defense Lawyer with Payment Plans
Immediate Steps to Take After a DWI Arrest in St. Louis, MO
If you’ve been arrested for DWI in or near St. Louis, MO, follow these steps as soon as possible:
Step 1: Stay Calm and Avoid Arguing With Police
A DWI stop in St. Louis, MO can feel humiliating, scary, and overwhelming—but arguing with the officer usually makes the situation worse. Anything you say or do can end up in the report and be used later. Stay calm, keep your hands visible, follow basic directions, and avoid sudden movements or emotional reactions that can be misread as aggression or refusal to cooperate.
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 DWI Lawyer With Payment Plans in St. Louis, MO Right Away
After a DWI arrest in the St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, 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: Don’t Assume “Tests” Are Designed to Be Fair
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 St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, MO quickly so they can request the proper hearings and protect your driving privileges.
Step 6: Create a Written Record of What Happened in St. Louis, MO
The best time to capture details is right after the arrest. Write down everything you can remember: the reason given for the stop, exact locations, timestamps, what was said, when tests were offered, what you were instructed to do, and any factors that affected testing (footwear, injuries, nerves, uneven ground). Even “minor” details can reveal weaknesses in the State’s evidence. A written summary gives your St. Louis, MO DWI attorney a head start on building your defense.
Step 7: Follow All Bond Conditions and Court Dates
Missing a court date or violating bond conditions in St. Louis, MO can turn a bad situation into a worse one—new charges, a warrant, or stricter restrictions. Review your paperwork for your court date and any terms involving travel, alcohol, IID requirements, or check-ins, and follow them exactly. A St. Louis, MO DWI lawyer can help you stay organized, avoid missteps, and may be able to appear for certain settings to reduce disruption to your work and family.

St. Louis City Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis and Missouri.
Affordable, Hard-Hitting DWI Defense in St. Louis, MO Starts Now — Call Combs Waterkotte
If you feel overwhelmed, scared, or unsure how you will pay for aDWI lawyer in St. Louis, MO—you are not alone. At Combs Waterkotte, we believe everyone deserves a fair chance and a strong defense.
Top-tier St. Louis, 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.

