Lebanon, MO

DWI Lawyer in Lebanon, MO

DWI Lawyer in Lebanon, MO. Facing allegations of driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be a frightening experience, particularly considering the likely repercussions for Lebanon, 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 Lebanon community or your professional sphere. Also, international travel prospects may be thwarted, 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 Lebanon, MO DWI lawyer on your side right now. Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible 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-strings-attached 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 DWI lawyer on your Lebanon, 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 experienced Lebanon, MO DWI attorneys fight tirelessly on behalf of all our Lebanon, MO area DWI clients. 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. When facing DWI charges near Lebanon, MO, prioritize making (314) 900-HELP your initial contact. We provide free case reviews and, at Combs Waterkotte, we are devoted to working with you, accommodating any financial hardships you may be facing, to mount a robust defense against your DWI charges in Lebanon, MO.

Should You Hire a DWI Lawyer in Lebanon, MO?

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

• Scrutinize the traffic stop and arrest for errors or rights violations
• Challenge inaccurate or poorly administered chemical tests
• Build a strong constitutional defense, including probable cause issues
• Represent you in both criminal court and administrative hearing

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

After being pulled over by a police officer suspecting impairment due to alcohol or drugs in the Lebanon, MO area, it’s natural to feel nervous. Being stopped by law enforcement for any moving violation is something that can trigger a “fight or flight” response, and this is only increased when you are facing accusations of impaired driving. Having tried hundreds of DWI cases in Lebanon, MO, 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, 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. 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 in the Lebanon, MO area.
• Avoid self-incrimination. Exercise your right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment. Provide the officer your license and insurance/registration, but refrain from offering additional information. Law enforcement officers are looking for 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. Refrain from taking a portable breath test. While Missouri enforces implied consent laws that lead to a one-year license revocation for refusing a breathalyzer or blood test, this is applicable only after you are formally arrested for DWI. Portable breathalyzers are frequently deemed unreliable and are only used to establish probable cause for an arrest.
• Call a lawyer if you are arrested. Your conversation with an attorney is entirely 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 clarifying other concerns can be the critical 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 Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, MO, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Knowing the potential outcomes is essential, and a Combs Waterkotte lawyer will provide 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 an attorney 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: 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 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 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 skilled Lebanon, MO legal team makes sure that the residents of Lebanon, MO receive the best possible legal presentation, no matter the circumstance. After all, good people often find themselves in bad situations. In addition to DWI defense in Lebanon, MO, our lawyers are experienced in numerous types of cases, like:

• Weapons Crime Attorney
• DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
• Violent Crime Lawyer

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:

• You’ve never been in trouble before
• Your BAC was close to the .08% limit
• No one was hurt and nothing was damaged in Lebanon, MO
• Procedural errors by law enforcement (e.g., improper stop, flawed field sobriety or breath tests)
• We can dispute the accuracy or reliability of the tests

How Does This Happen?

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

• Negotiate with the prosecution for a plea to a lesser offense
• Propose community service or education as a substitute for conviction
• Filing motions to dismiss unlawfully obtained evidence
• Highlighting mitigating factors that favor leniency

Why a Reduction Matters

A reduced charge in Lebanon, MO can help you:

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

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

If this is your second DWI arrest in Lebanon, MO, be prepared for the prospect of dealing with 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 can be anywhere from one to five years
• You must install and maintain, as well as pay for, a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID). This prevents someone from starting a vehicle if their BAC is over a certain limit.
• Continuous, verifiable BAC 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 in a Lebanon, MO DWI case pertains to your driving privileges, and how the Missouri Department of Revenue deals with the revocation or suspension of your license. Most Lebanon, MO-area drivers do not know that they have the option to appeal the automatic suspension or revocation, provided the appeal is submitted within 15 days of your initial arrest in Lebanon, MO.

When you enlist the impeccable services of the DWI lawyers with experience in Lebanon, MO at Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that our firm will quickly address 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 gather evidence, look at the facts of your case, identify potential discrepancies in the Lebanon police report or arrest, and develop a strategy that is built for success. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

Call a Lebanon, MO DWI Lawyer Who Wins Today at Combs Waterkotte

If you’ve 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. The sooner you can get a skilled Lebanon, MO DWI lawyer to examine documents, gather evidence, and build your case, the higher the likelihood that the repercussions of your Lebanon DWI arrest will be substantially reduced, if not eliminated.

For numerous individuals in Lebanon, 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 commitment to personalized service and communication that is unmatched among DWI law firms near Lebanon, MO and throughout Missouri. Our DWI lawyers 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 is part of our commitment to 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 consultation. Trust the experienced Lebanon, MO DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte to diligently handle your case.