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DWI Lawyer O’Fallon, MO

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Posted by Emily Herr on June 29, 2021

DWI Lawyer in O’Fallon, MO

DWI Lawyer in O’Fallon, MO. Getting pulled over and accused of driving while intoxicated is likely one of the worst experiences a O’Fallon, 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 raising insurance premiums, and have points on your license for years to come. Even worse, your reputation in the O’Fallon, 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 such as Canada prohibit travelers with DWI convictions on their record from entering.

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

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

Having a tenacious and proficient DWI lawyer on your O’Fallon, 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 O’Fallon, MO DWI attorneys fight tirelessly on behalf of all our clients throughout the O’Fallon, MO area facing DWI charges. Whether 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 will give your O’Fallon, MO DWI case the personal attention you are looking for and craft a legal strategy that is built to get you the best possible outcome.

Our record of success for those accused of DWI in O’Fallon is second to none, and we are committed to complete client satisfaction in all that we do. When facing DWI charges near O’Fallon, 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 O’Fallon, MO.

Should You Hire a DWI Lawyer in O’Fallon, MO?

After a DWI arrest, your next steps matter. Without a trusted DWI defense lawyer, you risk losing your license, paying hefty fines, and carrying a criminal record for life. Combs Waterkotte knows how to fight O’Fallon, MO DWI charges, and win.

What our DWI Attorneys do for you in O’Fallon, MO:

  • Investigate whether your traffic stop and arrest followed the law
  • Challenge breathalyzer or blood test accuracy
  • Identify constitutional violations (lack of probable cause)
  • 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 O’Fallon, 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 O’Fallon, MO, it’s natural to feel 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 O’Fallon, MO-area DWI cases, our firm suggests the following course of action if you find yourself pulled over for DWI:

  • Safely pull over. Safely pull your vehicle to the side of the road. Use your turn signal, and select a well-lit safe location. 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.
  • 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 O’Fallon, MO area.
  • Avoid self-incrimination. Exercise your right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment. Provide 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 saying 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 often deemed unreliable and are primarily used as a way for an officer to get probable cause to arrest you.
  • Call a lawyer if you are arrested. Conversations with an attorney are completely confidential and privileged under Missouri law. Seeking guidance from an experienced O’Fallon, MO DWI lawyer about whether you should take a breath test at the station, addressing any issues that arose in your 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 O’Fallon, 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 O’Fallon, 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 consequences in O’Fallon, MO, including fines, license suspension, and possible 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 case review. Laws regarding DWI vary by jurisdiction, even small areas neighboring O’Fallon, 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 O’Fallon, 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 substantial 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 reduced 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, also known as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility or an SR-22

Our knowledgeable O’Fallon, MO legal team makes sure that the citizens of O’Fallon, 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 O’Fallon, MO, our lawyers are experienced in many forms of law, like:

Can a DWI Charge Be Reduced in O’Fallon, MO?

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

  • You’ve never been in trouble before
  • Your BAC was close to the .08% limit
  • No accident, injury, or property damage involved in O’Fallon, 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 This Happen?

Our experienced O’Fallon, MO DWI defense attorneys take a strategic, aggressive approach by:

  • Negotiate a plea to a lesser charge
  • Argue for reduced penalties in exchange for substance abuse treatment or community service
  • 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 O’Fallon, MO can help you:

  • Avoid jail time
  • Less impact on your driver’s license
  • Protects your permanent record
  • Maintain employment, especially for CDL or professional license holders
  • Minimize insurance rate increases

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

If this is your second DWI arrest in O’Fallon, 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 can be between 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.
  • Continuous, trackable 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 component in a O’Fallon, MO DWI case pertains to your driving privileges, and how the Missouri Department of Revenue manages the revocation or suspension of your license. Many drivers in the O’Fallon, 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 O’Fallon, MO.

When you hire the DWI lawyers with experience in O’Fallon, MO at Combs Waterkotte, rest assured 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, look at the facts of your case, pinpoint potential discrepancies in the O’Fallon police report or arrest, and develop a strategy that is built to win. Give us a call now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.

Contact a DWI Lawyer Who Wins in O’Fallon, MO Today at Combs Waterkotte

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

Combs Waterkotte has helped hundreds of O’Fallon, MO-area residents from all walks of life take on DWI charges. Our firm seamlessly combines unparalleled legal expertise and assertive advocacy with a dedication to personal service and communication that is unmatched among DWI law firms near O’Fallon, MO and throughout Missouri. Our DWI attorneys 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.

After you have been pulled over and arrested for DWI in the O’Fallon, MO area, make (314) 900-HELP your first call for a free initial .

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