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Crestwood, MO

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Posted by Emily Herr on June 29, 2021

DWI Lawyer in Crestwood, MO

DWI Lawyer in Crestwood, MO. Facing allegations of driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be a frightening experience, especially considering the potential repercussions for Crestwood, MO drivers. Beyond the immediate consequences of a minimum 60-day suspension of your driving privileges, hefty fines, elevated insurance premiums, and enduring points on your license, the aftermath extends to enduring damage to your reputation within your Crestwood community or your professional sphere. Also, international travel prospects may be constrained, with countries like Canada prohibiting entry for people with a DWI conviction on their record.

If you have been pulled over and are facing DWI charges, you need a top-tier Crestwood, MO DWI lawyer on your side right now. Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online so that we can get to work building your defense right away. Our attorneys are available for free, no-obligation consultations where they can discuss the specifics of your case with you and plan your next steps.


Article Summary

If you’ve been arrested for DWI in the Crestwood, MO area, the consequences can be severe—license suspension, steep fines, a criminal record, and even jail time. But a charge is not a conviction, and with the right legal team, you may be able to avoid the most damaging outcomes. At Combs Waterkotte, our experienced Crestwood, MO DWI lawyers fight aggressively to protect your rights, reputation, and future. This in-depth page covers everything you need to know after a DWI arrest in or around Crestwood, MO: what to do at a traffic stop, the criminal and administrative penalties involved, first-time and repeat offense consequences, and how to challenge breath tests, field sobriety evidence, and police procedures. Whether this is your first DWI or a subsequent offense, our Crestwood, MO attorneys create strategic defenses built to win—often securing dismissals, reductions, or alternative sentencing.


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Have You Been Pulled Over Anywhere in the Crestwood, MO Area?

Having an aggressive and effective DWI lawyer on your Crestwood, MO case can — and often does — make the difference between pleading guilty to DWI and suffering all its consequences, and having charges reduced or even dismissed. At Combs Waterkotte, our knowledgeable Crestwood, MO DWI attorneys fight tirelessly on behalf of all our Crestwood, MO area DWI clients. Whether this is your first encounter with law enforcement or if you are dealing with DWI charges again, our firm will give your Crestwood, MO DWI case the personal attention you expect and craft a legal strategy that is built to get you the best possible outcome.

Our unparalleled track record of success in defending Crestwood residents accused of DWI speaks volumes, and our dedication extends to ensuring complete client satisfaction in every aspect of our service. After you have been arrested for DWI in or anywhere near Crestwood, MO, make (314) 900-HELP your first call. Initial case reviews are always free, and Combs Waterkotte will work with you regardless of any financial challenges you might have to help you beat your Crestwood, MO DWI charges.

Do You Need a DWI Lawyer in Crestwood, MO?

If you’ve been arrested for DWI in the Crestwood, MO area, hiring a DWI lawyer is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your rights, your record, and your future. Without a Crestwood, MO DWI defense lawyer, you could unintentionally give up critical rights or miss opportunities to reduce or eliminate the charges.

{How Combs Waterkotte Protects You in Crestwood, MO

  • Review the traffic stop and arrest procedures for legality
  • Challenge questionable breath or blood test results
  • Build a strong constitutional defense, including probable cause issues
  • Represent you at both your court trial and administrative hearing

DWI Lawyer in St. Louis | Combs Waterkotte

What Should I Do After I’m Pulled Over For DWI in Crestwood, MO?

After you have been pulled over by a police officer who suspects that you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs near Crestwood, MO, it’s natural to be nervous. Any encounter with law enforcement for a moving violation can trigger a “fight or flight” response, and this is only increased when you are accused of impaired driving. Having tried hundreds of DWI cases in Crestwood, MO, our firm recommends that you take the following course of action if you are ever pulled over for DWI:

  • Safely pull over. Safely pull your vehicle to the side of the road. Use your turn signal, and select a well-lit safe location. If you are on a road with a shoulder, pull over there, or find a nearby parking lot. Try to avoid parking on grass.
  • Remain calm and cooperative. Maintain composure and cooperation during the encounter. Hostility can escalate the situation and lead to increased scrutiny. Politeness goes a long way when being stopped for DWI near Crestwood, MO.
  • Avoid self-incrimination. Remember: you have the right to remain silent. Provide the officer your license and insurance/registration, but refrain from offering additional information. Law enforcement is seeking any reason to continue an investigation and arrest you, so it’s wise not to provide unnecessary information. You can always choose not to answer potentially incriminating questions, like “Have you been drinking?” by saying that you would rather not answer without legal advice.
  • Avoid the portable breath 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. Portable breathalyzers are frequently deemed unreliable and are only used to establish probable cause for an arrest.
  • If you are arrested, call a lawyer as soon as you can. Your conversation with an attorney is entirely confidential and privileged under Missouri law. Getting advice from an experienced Crestwood, MO DWI lawyer about whether you should take a breath test at the station, addressing any issues during the stop, or other questions you might have can make the difference between losing the ability to drive for months and your case potentially being dismissed.

Being charged with driving under the influence carries severe legal repercussions in Crestwood, MO, encompassing fines, the suspension of your driver’s license, and the possibility of incarceration. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the potential consequences is crucial, and a Combs Waterkotte attorney is ready to provide detailed insights and more during a free case review. DWI laws can differ across jurisdictions, even in smaller areas neighboring Crestwood, MO, emphasizing the importance of seeking guidance from an lawyer well-versed in the local legal landscape for personalized advice tailored to your unique circumstancesDriving under the influence has serious legal consequences in Crestwood, MO, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Having a firm grasp of the potential outcomes is essential, and a Combs Waterkotte lawyer will do that and more during a free consultation. Laws regarding DWI vary by jurisdiction, even small areas surrounding Crestwood, MO, so it’s advisable to consult with an attorney familiar with the laws in your area for specific advice tailored to your situation.

Fighting Both Sides Of Your DWI Case in Crestwood, MO

DWI cases in Missouri have two components: a criminal side and a civil side. The criminal punishments for DWI in Missouri are undeniably severe, with even a first DWI offense possibly resulting in substantial consequences as outlined in accordance with Missouri law, categorizing it as a class B misdemeanor:

  • 8 points on your driving record
  • Up to 6 months in jail
  • Up to a $500 fine
  • A 90-day drivers’ license suspension, the last 60 of which can be converted to a restricted driving privilege (RDP) permit
  • Required participation in a drug/alcohol treatment program called Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP)
  • Required purchase of a high-risk auto insurance plan, referred to as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility or an SR-22

Our knowledgeable Crestwood, MO legal team makes sure that the residents of Crestwood, MO receive the best possible legal presentation, no matter the circumstance. After all, good people often find themselves in bad situations. Along with DWI defense in Crestwood, MO, our lawyers are experienced in numerous types of cases, like:

Can a DWI Charge Be Reduced in Crestwood, MO?

Yes, a DWI charge can be reduced in Crestwood, MO—but it depends on several factors, including the specifics of your case and the quality of your legal defense. The Combs Waterkotte DWI defense attorneys have had numerous DWI charges in Crestwood, MO and across Missouri reduced to a lesser offense like reckless driving or a traffic violation under circumstances like these:

  • You’ve never been in trouble before
  • Your BAC was close to the legal limit (.08%)
  • No crash or injury occurred in Crestwood, MO
  • Police violated protocols during the stop or testing
  • Your defense effectively challenges the evidence

What Can a Lawyer Do to Help?

A skilled Crestwood, MO DWI defense attorney, like the ones at Combs Waterkotte, can:

  • Negotiate a plea to a lesser charge
  • Advocating for diversion programs or alcohol treatment alternatives
  • File motions to suppress evidence that was unlawfully obtained
  • Highlighting mitigating factors that favor leniency

Why it Matters

A reduced charge in Crestwood, MO can help you:

  • Avoid jail time
  • Keep your driver’s license or reduce the suspension period
  • Protect your criminal record
  • Maintain employment, especially for CDL or professional license holders
  • Minimize insurance rate increases

What Happens If This Isn’t My First DWI in Crestwood, MO?

If you find yourself facing a second DWI arrest in Crestwood, MO, you will likely be facing class A misdemeanor charges, encompassing possible penalties like:

  • No more than one year in jail (any jail sentence for a second DWI must include a minimum of 10 days of “shock time” in jail before possible suspension of sentence or probation)
  • Maximum two years probation
  • Fines of no more than $1,000
  • The suspension of your driving privileges, which ranges from one to five years
  • You must install and maintain, at your own expense, a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID). This prevents someone from starting a vehicle if their BAC is over a certain limit.
  • Continuous, verifiable alcohol monitoring (either by regular breath tests or a wearable device)
  • Mandatory participation in a drug/alcohol treatment program
  • Required purchase of a high-risk auto insurance plan (SR-22)

The administrative aspect of a DWI case in Crestwood, MO relates to your driving privileges, and how the Missouri Department of Revenue manages your license revocation or suspension. Many drivers in the Crestwood, MO area do not know that they have the option to appeal the automatic suspension or revocation, as long as that appeal is filed within 15 days of your initial arrest in Crestwood, MO.

When you hire the DWI lawyers with experience in Crestwood, MO at Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that our firm will tackle both facets of your DWI case as soon as possible and work hard to minimize the effect a DWI arrest has on your life. We will compile evidence, look at the facts of your case, identify potential discrepancies in the Crestwood police report or arrest, and create a strategy that is built for success. Give us a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

Reach Out To a DWI Lawyer Who Wins in Crestwood, MO Today at Combs Waterkotte

If you’ve recently faced arrest and DWI charges in Crestwood, MO, you are probably well aware that time is of the essence when dealing with your case. The sooner you can get a skilled Crestwood, MO DWI lawyer to review documents, amass evidence, and construct a robust case, the better the odds are that the consequences resulting from your Crestwood DWI arrest will be significantly mitigated or even eradicated.

Combs Waterkotte has helped hundreds of Crestwood, MO-area residents from all walks of life take on DWI charges. Our firm seamlessly combines unparalleled legal expertise and assertive advocacy with a commitment to personal service and communication that is unmatched among DWI law firms near Crestwood, MO and throughout Missouri. Our DWI attorneys assure you that, regardless of the time, location, or situation, they will swiftly answer your call to discuss your case or any other legal concerns. This commitment is an integral part of our pledge to achieve complete client satisfaction, which our previous clients can attest to as well.

If you find yourself pulled over and facing DWI charges in the Crestwood, MO area, make (314) 900-HELP your first call for a free initial case review and put the experienced Crestwood, MO DWI lawyers at Combs Waterkotte to work for you.

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