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DWI Lawyer Kirksville, MO

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Last Updated: September 27, 2024

DWI Lawyer in Kirksville, MO

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

If you have been pulled over and are facing DWI charges, you need a top-tier Kirksville, 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

Getting pulled over and charged with DWI in Kirksville, MO can feel overwhelming—but the right attorney can make all the difference. At Combs Waterkotte, we’ve helped hundreds of drivers avoid the most serious consequences of a DWI arrest. This guide walks you through every stage of the process, including how to respond during a stop in the Kirksville, MO area, what penalties you could face, and how to fight the charges. Whether it’s your first offense or you’ve been down this road before, our legal team delivers personalized defense strategies that get results—from case dismissals to reduced charges and alternative sentencing.


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

Having an aggressive and proficient Kirksville, MO DWI lawyer on your 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 seasoned Kirksville, MO DWI attorneys are devoted advocates for all our Kirksville, MO area DWI clients. Whether this is your first encounter with law enforcement or if you are dealing with DWI charges again, our firm is committed to providing your Kirksville, MO DWI case with the attention it deserves. We formulate a legal strategy tailored specifically to securing the best possible outcome for you.

Our record of success for those accused of DWI in Kirksville is second to none, and we are committed to complete client satisfaction in all that we do. After you have been arrested for DWI in or anywhere near Kirksville, MO, make (314) 900-HELP your first call. Initial case reviews are always free, and Combs Waterkotte will work with you no matter what financial difficulties you might have to help you beat your Kirksville, MO DWI charges.

Should You Hire a DWI Lawyer in Kirksville, MO?

If you’ve been charged with DWI in the Kirksville, MO area, don’t face the legal system alone. A skilled DWI lawyer can be the difference between a conviction and a second chance. From protecting your driving privileges to challenging weak evidence, the right legal team in Kirksville, MO helps you take control of your case.

{How Combs Waterkotte Protects You in Kirksville, MO

  • Scrutinize the traffic stop and arrest for errors or rights violations
  • Challenge questionable breath or blood test results
  • Identify constitutional violations (lack of probable cause)
  • Defend you in court and fight your license suspension

DWI Lawyer in St. Louis | Combs Waterkotte

What Should I Do After I’m Pulled Over For DWI in Kirksville, 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 Kirksville, MO, it’s natural to feel nervous. Any encounter with law enforcement for a moving violation can trigger a “fight or flight” response, and this is amplified when you are accused of impaired driving. Having tried hundreds of Kirksville, MO-area DWI cases, our firm suggests the following course of action if you find yourself pulled over for DWI:

  • Pull over safely. Ensure a safe pull-over by using your turn signal, choosing a well-lit location on the side of the road, and opting for a shoulder or nearby parking lot if available. Avoid parking on grass to maintain safety and compliance.
  • Stay 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 pulled over for DWI in the Kirksville, MO area.
  • 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 excuse to continue an investigation and arrest you, so it’s wise not to provide unnecessary data. You can always choose not to answer potentially incriminating questions, like “Have you been drinking?” by stating 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 often deemed unreliable and are primarily used to establish probable cause for an arrest.
  • If you are arrested, call a lawyer as soon as you can. Conversations with an attorney are completely confidential and privileged under Missouri law. Getting advice from an experienced Kirksville, MO DWI lawyer about whether you should take a breath test at the station, addressing any issues during the stop, or clarifying other concerns can be the crucial difference between facing months of license suspension and potentially having your case dismissed.

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

Fighting Both Sides Of Your DWI Case in Kirksville, MO

DWI cases in Missouri have two components: a criminal side and a civil side. The criminal punishments for DWI in Missouri, as you likely know, are serious. Even a first DWI offense could lead to the following consequences under Missouri law, as it is categorized 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 restored to a restricted driving privilege (RDP) permit
  • Required participation in a drug/alcohol treatment program known as 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 skilled Kirksville, MO legal team makes sure that the citizens of Kirksville, 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 Kirksville, MO, our lawyers are experienced in numerous forms of law, such as:

Can a DWI Charge Be Reduced in Kirksville, MO?

Absolutely, but it’s not automatic. Kirksville, MO prosecutors will sometimes agree to reduce a DWI charge if the circumstances warrant it, and if you have a strong defense team behind you. At Combs Waterkotte, our Kirksville, MO DWI defense attorneys have helped clients across Missouri get their charges dropped to reckless driving or a traffic violation in cases where:

  • You’ve never been in trouble before
  • Your BAC was close to the legal limit (.08%)
  • No one was hurt and nothing was damaged in Kirksville, MO
  • Police violated protocols during the stop or testing
  • We can dispute the accuracy or reliability of the tests

What Can a Lawyer Do to Help?

With a skilled DWI defense attorney in Kirksville, MO on your side, we may be able to:

  • Negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges
  • Argue for reduced penalties in exchange for substance abuse treatment or community service
  • Filing motions to dismiss unlawfully obtained evidence
  • Point to mitigating details that support leniency

Why it Matters

A reduced charge in Kirksville, MO can help you:

  • Reduced or no jail time
  • Less impact on your driver’s license
  • Protects your permanent record
  • Maintain employment, especially for CDL or professional license holders
  • Minimizes insurance hikes

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

If this is your second DWI arrest in Kirksville, MO, be prepared for the prospect of dealing with class A misdemeanor charges, encompassing potential 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 keeps someone from starting a vehicle if their BAC is over a certain limit.
  • Continuous, trackable BAC monitoring (either by regular breath tests or a wearable device)
  • Required participation in a drug/alcohol treatment program
  • Required purchase of a high-risk auto insurance plan (SR-22)

The administrative facet of a DWI case in Kirksville, MO relates to your driving privileges, and how the Missouri Department of Revenue deals with your license revocation or suspension. Many drivers in the Kirksville, MO area may be unaware that you can appeal the automatic suspension or revocation of your license, as long as that appeal is filed within 15 days of your initial arrest in Kirksville, MO.

When you enlist the impeccable services of the DWI lawyers with experience in Kirksville, MO at Combs Waterkotte, rest assured that our firm will promptly address both components of your DWI case as soon as possible and strive to mitigate the impact of a DWI arrest on your life. We will gather evidence, look at the facts of your case, identify potential holes in the Kirksville police report or arrest, and craft a strategy that is built for success. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

Reach Out To a Kirksville, MO DWI Lawyer Who Wins Right Now at Combs Waterkotte

If you have recently been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in Kirksville, MO, you likely understand the urgency surrounding your case. The sooner you can get a skilled Kirksville, MO DWI lawyer to review documents, amass evidence, and build your case, the higher the likelihood that the repercussions of your DWI arrest in Kirksville will be substantially mitigated or even eradicated.

For numerous individuals in Kirksville, MO, Combs Waterkotte has been a beacon of support when facing DWI charges. Our firm blends top-notch legal expertise and assertive litigation with a dedication to personalized service and communication that is unmatched among DWI law firms near Kirksville, MO and throughout Missouri. Our DWI attorneys promise that no matter the time, no matter the situation, and no matter the circumstances, they will be able to answer your call and discuss your case or any other legal topic. This commitment is an integral part of our pledge to gain complete client satisfaction, as affirmed by our satisfied clients.

If you find yourself pulled over and facing DWI charges in the Kirksville, MO area, prioritize calling (314) 900-HELP to schedule a free initial .

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