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DWI Lawyer Morgan County, MO

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Last Updated: September 27, 2024

DWI Lawyer in Morgan County, MO

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

If you find yourself in the challenging situation of facing DWI charges after being pulled over in the Morgan County, MO area, it’s critical to enlist the support of an experienced DWI lawyer in Morgan County. 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 Morgan County, 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 Morgan County, 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 Morgan County, 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 Morgan County, MO Area?

Having an aggressive and effective Morgan County, 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 experienced Morgan County, MO DWI attorneys are dedicated advocates for all our Morgan County, MO area DWI clients. No matter if this is your first encounter with law enforcement or if you are dealing with DWI charges again, our firm is committed to providing your Morgan County, 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 Morgan County is second to none, and we are committed to complete client satisfaction in all that we do. When facing DWI charges near Morgan County, 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 Morgan County, MO.

Should You Hire a DWI Lawyer in Morgan County, MO?

If you’ve been arrested for DWI in the Morgan County, 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 Morgan County, MO helps you take control of your case.

{How Combs Waterkotte Protects You in Morgan County, MO

  • Investigate whether your traffic stop and arrest followed the law
  • Challenge breathalyzer or blood test accuracy
  • Identify constitutional violations (lack of probable cause)
  • Defend you in court and fight your license suspension

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

After being pulled over by a police officer suspecting impairment due to alcohol or drugs in the Morgan County, MO area, 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 only increased when you’re facing accusations of impaired driving. Having tried hundreds of DWI cases in Morgan County, MO, our firm recommends that you take the following course of action if you are ever pulled over for DWI:

  • Safely pull over. Safely pull your vehicle to the side of the road. Use your turn signal, and choose a well-lit safe area. If you are on a road with a shoulder, pull over there, or find a nearby parking lot. Avoid parking on grass to maintain safety and compliance.
  • 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 pulled over for DWI near Morgan County, MO.
  • 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 is seeking any reason 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 saying that you prefer not to respond 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 often deemed unreliable and are only used to establish probable cause for an arrest.
  • Call a lawyer if you are arrested. Conversations with an attorney are completely confidential and privileged under Missouri law. Seeking guidance from an experienced Morgan County, 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 Morgan County, 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 Morgan County, 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 Morgan County, MO, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Having a firm grasp of the potential outcomes is vital, and a Combs Waterkotte attorney will do that and more during a free consultation. Laws regarding DWI vary by jurisdiction, even small areas neighboring Morgan County, 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 Morgan County, MO DWI Case

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 possibly resulting in substantial repercussions 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 reduced 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 Morgan County, MO legal team ensures that the citizens of Morgan County, 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 Morgan County, MO, our attorneys are experienced in many types of cases, such as:

Can a DWI Charge Be Reduced in Morgan County, MO?

Yes, many Morgan County, MO residents charged with DWI can get those charges reduced, depending on the facts of the case and the strength of their legal defense. At Combs Waterkotte, we’ve successfully reduced DWI charges in Morgan County, MO and across Missouri to lesser offenses like reckless driving or a traffic violation when:

  • You’ve never been in trouble before
  • Your BAC was close to the .08% limit
  • No one was hurt and nothing was damaged in Morgan County, 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?

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

  • Negotiate a plea deal to reduce the charges
  • 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 it Matters

A reduced charge in Morgan County, MO can help you:

  • Reduced or no jail time
  • Keep your driver’s license or reduce the suspension period
  • Protects your permanent record
  • Helps you keep your job or professional license
  • Minimizes insurance hikes

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

If you find yourself facing a second DWI arrest in Morgan County, 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 between 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 consumption 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 Morgan County, 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. Many drivers in the Morgan County, MO area do not know that they have the option to appeal the automatic suspension or revocation, as long as that appeal is filed within 15 days of your initial arrest in Morgan County, MO.

When you hire the DWI lawyers with experience in Morgan County, MO at Combs Waterkotte, you can be confident that our firm will tackle 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 holes in the Morgan County police report or arrest, and create a strategy that is built for success. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

Call a DWI Lawyer Who Wins in Morgan County, MO Right Now at Combs Waterkotte

If you’ve recently faced arrest and DWI charges in Morgan County, 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 Morgan County, MO DWI lawyer to examine documents, amass evidence, and construct a robust case, the higher the likelihood that the repercussions of your Morgan County DWI arrest will be greatly reduced, if not eliminated.

For numerous individuals in Morgan County, 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 Morgan County, 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 Morgan County, MO area, make (314) 900-HELP your first call to schedule a free initial .

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