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DWI Lawyer Lexington, MO

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Last Updated: September 27, 2024

DWI Lawyer in Lexington, MO

DWI Lawyer in Lexington, MO. Facing allegations of driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be a frightening experience, particularly considering the potential repercussions for Lexington, 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 Lexington community or your professional sphere. Also, 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 Lexington, 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

If you’ve been arrested for DWI in the Lexington, 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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, MO Area?

Having an aggressive and proficient DWI lawyer on your Lexington, MO case can be the pivotal factor between accepting a DWI conviction with severe repercussions and achieving a more favorable outcome such as reduced or even dismissed charges. At Combs Waterkotte, our knowledgeable Lexington, MO DWI attorneys are dedicated advocates for all our clients throughout the Lexington, MO area facing DWI charges. No matter if this is your first encounter with law enforcement or if you are dealing with DWI charges again, our firm will give your Lexington, MO DWI case the personal attention you expect and craft a legal strategy that is built to get you the best possible results.

Our record of success for those accused of DWI in Lexington is second to none, and we are committed to total client satisfaction in all that we do. When facing DWI charges near Lexington, 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 challenges you may be facing, to mount a robust defense against your DWI charges in Lexington, MO.

Should You Hire a DWI Lawyer in Lexington, MO?

If you’ve been charged with DWI in the Lexington, 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 Lexington, MO helps you take control of your case.

{How Combs Waterkotte Protects You in Lexington, MO

  • Scrutinize the traffic stop and arrest for errors or rights violations
  • Challenge breathalyzer or blood test accuracy
  • 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 Lexington, MO?

After being pulled over by a police officer suspecting impairment due to alcohol or drugs in the Lexington, MO area, 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’re facing accusations of impaired driving. With extensive experience handling numerous DWI cases in Lexington, MO, our firm suggests the following course of action if you find yourself pulled over for DWI:

  • Pull over safely. Safely pull your vehicle to the side of the road. Use your turn signal, and select a well-lit safe area. If you are on a road with a shoulder, pull over there, or find a nearby parking lot. Try to avoid parking on grass.
  • 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 Lexington, MO area.
  • Avoid self-incrimination. Exercise your right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment. Give the officer your license and insurance/registration, but don’t give them any other information. Law enforcement officers are looking for any excuse 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 stating that you would rather not answer without legal advice.
  • Do not take a 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.
  • 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 Lexington, MO DWI lawyer about whether you should take a breath test at the station, addressing any issues that arose in 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 Lexington, 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 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 Lexington, MO, emphasizing the importance of seeking guidance from an lawyer well-versed in the local legal landscape for personalized advice tailored to your unique situationDriving under the influence has serious legal repercussions in Lexington, MO, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Knowing the potential outcomes is essential, and a Combs Waterkotte attorney will do that and more during a free consultation. Laws regarding DWI vary by jurisdiction, even small areas surrounding Lexington, 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 Lexington, MO

DWI cases in Missouri involve two distinct components: the criminal aspect and the civil facet. The criminal punishments for DWI in Missouri are undeniably severe, with even a first DWI offense potentially resulting in substantial repercussions as outlined in accordance with Missouri law, defining 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 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 experienced Lexington, MO legal team ensures that the residents of Lexington, 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 Lexington, MO, our lawyers are experienced in numerous types of cases, such as:

Can a DWI Charge Be Reduced in Lexington, MO?

Yes, a DWI charge can be reduced in Lexington, 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 Lexington, MO and across Missouri reduced to a lesser offense like reckless driving or a traffic violation under circumstances like these:

  • First-time offense with no prior criminal record
  • Low blood alcohol content (BAC) near the legal limit of .08%
  • No one was hurt and nothing was damaged in Lexington, MO
  • Police violated protocols during the stop or testing
  • Your defense effectively challenges the evidence

What Can a Lawyer Do to Help?

Our experienced Lexington, MO DWI defense attorneys take a strategic, aggressive approach by:

  • Negotiate with the prosecution for a plea to a lesser offense
  • Propose community service or education as a substitute for conviction
  • File motions to suppress evidence that was unlawfully obtained
  • Present mitigating circumstances or lack of evidence to pressure the state into reducing charges

Why a Reduction Matters

A reduced charge in Lexington, MO can help you:

  • Reduced or no jail time
  • Keep your driver’s license or reduce the suspension period
  • Protect your criminal record
  • Helps you keep your job or professional license
  • Minimize insurance rate increases

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

If this is your second DWI arrest in Lexington, MO, be prepared for the prospect of dealing with class A misdemeanor charges, which include these penalties:

  • 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, 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.
  • Regular, trackable 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 facet of a DWI case in Lexington, MO relates to your driving privileges, and how the Missouri Department of Revenue handles your license revocation or suspension. Most drivers in the Lexington, MO area may not be aware that , as long as that appeal is filed within 15 days of your initial arrest in Lexington, MO.

When you enlist the impeccable services of the Lexington, MO DWI lawyers at Combs Waterkotte, rest assured that our firm will promptly 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 holes in the Lexington police report or arrest, and craft a strategy that is built to win. Give us a call right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

Contact a Lexington, MO DWI Lawyer Who Wins Right Now at Combs Waterkotte

If you’ve recently been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in Lexington, MO, you are probably well aware that time is of the essence when dealing with your case. The sooner you can get a skilled Lexington, MO DWI lawyer to review documents, amass evidence, and build your case, the better the odds are that the consequences resulting from your Lexington DWI arrest will be significantly mitigated or even eradicated.

Combs Waterkotte has helped hundreds of Lexington, MO-area residents from all walks of life take on DWI charges. Our firm seamlessly combines unparalleled legal expertise and aggressive advocacy with a dedication to personal service and communication that is unmatched among DWI law firms near Lexington, 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, which our previous clients can attest to as well.

If you find yourself pulled over and facing DWI charges in the Lexington, MO area, make (314) 900-HELP your first call to schedule a free initial consultation. Trust the experienced Lexington, MO DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte to diligently handle your case.

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