DWI Lawyer Lebanon, MO

DWI Lawyer in Lebanon, MO

DWI Lawyer in Lebanon, MO. Getting pulled over and accused of driving while intoxicated is potentially one of the worst experiences a Lebanon, MO-area driver can have. Not only will you be stripped of your driving privileges for a minimum of 60 days, you will have to pay a substantial fine, face raising insurance costs, and have points on your license for years to come. Even worse, your reputation in the Lebanon, MO community or your workplace could take a significant hit, and your ability to potentially travel out of the United States could be limited, as countries like Canada prohibit individuals with DWI convictions on their record from entering.

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

A DWI arrest in the Lebanon, MO area can upend your life—leading to license suspension, costly fines, a permanent record, and even jail. But being charged doesn’t mean you’re guilty. With a skilled legal team like Combs Waterkotte, you can fight back. This article breaks down everything you need to know after a DWI stop in or around Lebanon, MO, from legal rights during a traffic stop to challenging chemical tests and understanding the penalties for first and repeat offenses. Our veteran DWI lawyers in Lebanon, MO build smart, aggressive defenses designed to protect your future—and help you move forward with confidence.

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

Having a tenacious and effective Lebanon, MO DWI lawyer on your case can be the pivotal factor between accepting a DWI conviction with severe repercussions and achieving a more favorable outcome such as reduced charges or even dismissal. At Combs Waterkotte, our experienced Lebanon, MO DWI attorneys are devoted advocates for all our clients throughout the Lebanon, MO area facing DWI charges. No matter if this is the first time you have ever been pulled over for anything or if this is not the first time you are facing DWI charges, our firm is committed to providing your Lebanon, MO DWI case with the attention it deserves. We devise a legal strategy tailored specifically to securing the best possible outcome for you.

Our record of success for those accused of DWI in Lebanon 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 Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, MO DWI charges.

Do You Need a DWI Lawyer in Lebanon, MO?

How a Combs Waterkotte Lebanon, MO DWI Lawyer can help you:

• Investigate whether your traffic stop and arrest followed the law
• Challenge questionable breath or blood test results
• Identify constitutional violations (lack of probable cause)
• Represent you in both criminal court and administrative hearing

What Should I Do After I’m Pulled Over For DWI in Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, MO, it’s natural to be nervous. Being stopped by law enforcement for any moving violation is something that can trigger a “fight or flight” response, and this is amplified when you are facing accusations of impaired driving. Having tried hundreds of Lebanon, MO-area DWI cases, our firm recommends that you take the following course of action if you are ever pulled over for DWI:

• Safely pull over. Ensure a safe pull-over by using your turn signal, selecting a well-lit area 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. Remain calm and composed. Being hostile to a police officer will only make them more likely to search your car or subject you to increased scrutiny. Being polite goes a long way when being pulled over for DWI in the Lebanon, 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 reason to continue an investigation and arrest you, so do not give them any. 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.
• Do not take a 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 only 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 Lebanon, MO DWI lawyer about whether you should take a breath test at the station, addressing any issues during your stop, or other questions you might have can make the difference between losing your driving privileges for months and your case potentially being dismissed.

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

Fighting Both Sides Of Your DWI Case in Lebanon, MO

DWI cases in Missouri involve two distinct components: the criminal aspect and the civil facet. 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 defined 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 knowledgeable Lebanon, MO legal team makes sure that the citizens of Lebanon, MO receive the best possible legal presentation, no matter the circumstance. After all, good people often find themselves in dire situations. Along with DWI defense in Lebanon, MO, our lawyers are experienced in numerous types of cases, like:

• Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
• Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys

Can a DWI Charge Be Reduced in Lebanon, MO?

Absolutely, but it’s not automatic. Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, MO DWI defense attorneys have helped clients across Missouri get their charges dropped to reckless driving or a traffic violation in cases where:

• It’s a first offense with no prior criminal record
• Your BAC was close to the .08% limit
• No crash or injury occurred in Lebanon, MO
• Procedural errors by law enforcement (e.g., improper stop, flawed field sobriety or breath tests)
• Strong legal defense that challenges probable cause, test accuracy, or arrest procedure

How Does It Work?

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

• Negotiate a plea to a lesser charge
• Propose community service or education as a substitute for conviction
• Filing motions to dismiss unlawfully obtained evidence
• Point to mitigating details that support leniency

Why a Reduction Matters

A reduced charge in Lebanon, MO can help you:

• Reduced or no 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 Lebanon, MO?

If this is your second DWI arrest in Lebanon, MO, you will likely be facing class A misdemeanor charges, which include these punishments:

• 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, as well as pay for, a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID). This keeps someone from starting a vehicle if their BAC is over a certain limit.
• Regular, 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 component in a Lebanon, MO DWI case has to do with your driving privileges, and how the Missouri Department of Revenue deals with the revocation or suspension of your license. Most drivers in the Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, MO.

When you hire the DWI lawyers with experience in Lebanon, MO at Combs Waterkotte, rest assured that our firm will promptly address both components of your DWI case as soon as possible and work hard to minimize the effect a DWI arrest has on your life. We will gather evidence, scrutinize the details of your case, identify potential discrepancies in the Lebanon police report or arrest, and develop a strategy that is built to win. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

Reach Out To a Lebanon, MO DWI Lawyer Who Wins Right Away at Combs Waterkotte

If you have recently been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in Lebanon, MO, you are probably well aware that time is of the essence when dealing with your case. Swift action is crucial in securing a seasoned Lebanon, MO DWI lawyer to review documents, amass evidence, and construct a robust case, the higher the likelihood that the repercussions of your Lebanon DWI arrest will be significantly mitigated or even eradicated.

For numerous people in Lebanon, MO, Combs Waterkotte has been a beacon of support when facing DWI charges. Our firm blends top-notch legal expertise and assertive advocacy with a dedication to personal service and communication that stands out among DWI law firms near Lebanon, MO and throughout Missouri. Our DWI attorneys assure you that, regardless of the time, location, or situation, they will promptly answer your call to discuss your case or any other legal concerns. This commitment is an integral part of our pledge to gain complete client satisfaction, as affirmed by our satisfied clients.

After you have been pulled over and arrested for DWI in the Lebanon, MO area, make (314) 900-HELP your first call to schedule a free initial case review and put the experienced Lebanon, MO DWI lawyers at Combs Waterkotte to work for you.