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Maryville, MO

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Last Updated: September 27, 2024

DWI Lawyer in Maryville, MO

DWI Lawyer in Maryville, MO. Facing allegations of driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be a frightening experience, especially considering the potential repercussions for Maryville, 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 Maryville 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 find yourself in the challenging situation of facing DWI charges after being pulled over in the Maryville, MO area, it’s crucial to enlist the support of a highly skilled DWI lawyer in Maryville. Waste no time; call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or through our online contact form to initiate the process of crafting a robust defense for your case. Take advantage of our attorneys’ expertise through a free, no-strings-attached consultation to discuss the details of your situation and your next steps.


Article Summary

A DWI arrest in the Maryville, 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 Maryville, 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 Maryville, MO build smart, aggressive defenses designed to protect your future—and help you move forward with confidence.


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

Having an aggressive and effective DWI lawyer on your Maryville, 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 Maryville, MO DWI attorneys fight tirelessly on behalf of all our clients throughout the Maryville, MO area facing DWI charges. Whether this is your first encounter with law enforcement or if you are dealing with DWI charges again, our firm will give your Maryville, MO DWI case the personal attention you are looking for and create a legal strategy that is built to get you the best possible results.

Our unparalleled track record of success in defending individuals in Maryville 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 Maryville, 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 challenges you might have to help you beat your Maryville, MO DWI charges.

Should You Hire a DWI Lawyer in Maryville, MO?

How a Combs Waterkotte DWI Lawyer can help you in Maryville, 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

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What Should I Do After I’m Pulled Over For DWI in Maryville, 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 Maryville, 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 amplified when you are facing accusations of impaired driving. With extensive experience handling numerous DWI cases in Maryville, MO, 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. 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 in the Maryville, MO area.
  • Avoid self-incrimination. Remember: you have the right to remain silent. Give 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 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 frequently deemed unreliable and are primarily used as a way for an officer to get probable cause to arrest you.
  • If you are arrested, call a lawyer as soon as you can. Conversations with an attorney are completely confidential and privileged under Missouri law. Seeking guidance from an experienced Maryville, MO DWI lawyer regarding whether to undergo a breath test at the station, addressing any issues that arose in the 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 Maryville, 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 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 Maryville, 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 consequences in Maryville, MO, including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Knowing the potential outcomes is vital, and a Combs Waterkotte lawyer will do that and more during a free case review. Laws regarding DWI vary by jurisdiction, even small areas neighboring Maryville, 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 Maryville, MO

DWI cases in Missouri involve two distinct 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 significant 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 restored 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 experienced Maryville, MO legal team makes sure that the residents of Maryville, 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 Maryville, MO, our attorneys are experienced in numerous forms of law, like:

Can a DWI Charge Be Reduced in Maryville, MO?

Absolutely, but it’s not automatic. Maryville, 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 Maryville, 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 legal limit (.08%)
  • No crash or injury occurred in Maryville, MO
  • Police violated protocols during the stop or testing
  • Your defense effectively challenges the evidence

What Can a Lawyer Do to Help?

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

  • Negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges
  • Advocating for diversion programs or alcohol treatment alternatives
  • Filing motions to dismiss unlawfully obtained evidence
  • Present mitigating circumstances or lack of evidence to pressure the state into reducing charges

Why a Reduction Matters

A reduced charge in Maryville, MO can help you:

  • Avoid jail entirely
  • 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 Maryville, MO?

If this is your second DWI arrest in Maryville, 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 prevents 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 facet of a DWI case in Maryville, MO has to do with your driving privileges, and how the Missouri Department of Revenue manages the revocation or suspension of your license. Most Maryville, MO-area drivers may not be aware that , provided the appeal is submitted within 15 days of your initial arrest in Maryville, MO.

When you enlist the impeccable services of the Maryville, MO DWI lawyers 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 gather evidence, look at the facts of your case, pinpoint potential holes in the Maryville police report or arrest, and create a strategy that is built to win. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

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

If you have recently faced arrest and DWI charges in Maryville, MO, you likely understand the urgency surrounding your case. Swift action is crucial in securing a seasoned Maryville, MO DWI lawyer to examine documents, amass evidence, and build your case, the better the odds are that the consequences resulting from your Maryville DWI arrest will be greatly mitigated or even eradicated.

For numerous people in Maryville, MO, Combs Waterkotte has been a beacon of support when facing 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 Maryville, 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 commitment is an integral part of our pledge to achieve complete client satisfaction, as affirmed by our satisfied clients.

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

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