Felony DWI Lawyer in St. Louis
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This content has been written and edited by professional legal writers and individually reviewed and verified by Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte, attorneys who have over 40 combined years in the criminal defense industry.
Felony DWI Defense Attorney in St Louis: Protection In Your Corner
Combs Waterkotte is the leading criminal defense and traffic firm serving St. Louis and the entire state of Missouri. Our criminal defense attorneys will fight for your freedom, your rights, and will not give up until you get fair justice. Our exceptional record and over 200 reviews speaks for itself.
"Best group of criminal defense lawyers in the St. Louis area. I can't say enough about them and the lengths that this firm will go to ensure presumption of innocence and actually fight for their clients."
Client Review (Google)
Felony DWI Lawyers in St. Louis
We all know that being caught driving while intoxicated in St. Louis or elsewhere in Missouri can be a huge problem for anyone. It can disrupt every facet of your life and cause a great deal of stress on you and your family.
You don't have to go through this alone. Contact one of our DWI lawyers today at (314) 900-HELP to protect your freedom.
But if your DWI charges have been elevated to a felony, whether you were in an accident or this was not your first time being charged with a DWI, the implications of your arrest are multiplied. Having a felony on your record has lasting implications for years to come and will no doubt cause a strain on your career and lifestyle.
The skilled and experienced St. Louis DWI lawyers at Combs Waterkotte have a proven track record of getting optimal outcomes for their felony DWI clients. Our firm uses a client-centered approach that combines aggressive defense tactics with personal attention to every case they take. Contact us today to speak with an attorney about your St. Louis felony DWI charges and schedule a free consultation.
Combs Waterkotte has a successful track record of defending its St. Louis and Missouri DWI with drugs clients that is second to none. Our firm fights on both the criminal and administrative sides of your case to limit not only your criminal penalties, but also your ability to drive and provide for yourself and your family.
Our firm begins all our felony DWI cases in St. Louis with a personal, one-on-one conversation with clients. We will go over all the facts of the case with you, workshop an effective defense and legal strategy, and answer any questions you might have about the hit and run DWI legal process. Our attorneys are open to listen to your ideas of how to proceed, and after this meeting we will present you with a strong, proven plan of attack, along with what outcomes you can expect. Combs Waterkotte stops at nothing to get a favorable outcome for its clients. We review every evidence file, look for extenuating circumstances, and are experts at finding flaws that can change the outcome of your case.
Our firm works with judges, prosecutors, and most importantly you, the client, to understand what diversion programs are available. We will also use our network of mental health and medical professionals to suggest rehabilitation and therapy programs, as we understand that addiction is a disease that can be treated.We'll pursue every legal avenue to eliminate the legal consequences of the DWI and drug charges against you in St. Louis, or severely limit them. But if the evidence is stacked against you, or you made a terrible mistake you regret, we'll still represent you and work to get the best possible resolution for you, your loved ones, and your future.
Learn more about our esteemed DWI defense and types of cases we handle in St. Louis and throughout Missouri:
What Are the Penalties For Felony DWI in St. Louis or Missouri?
Due to the nature and sentencing guidelines of felony cases in St. Louis and Missouri, you need a criminal defense attorney by your side; no matter where your case is being prosecuted.
Felony DWI charges in Missouri are broken down into the following categories:
- A “persistent” offender (i.e., this is their third DWI arrest)
- An “aggravated” offender (i.e., charged and convicted of a minimum 4 DWIs)
- A “chronic” offender (i.e., if this is their fifth DWI-related arrest)
- A “habitual” offender (i.e., someone who has already been convicted of a Class C felony DWI)
The sentencing for these
felony DWI categories
are, in order:
- Class E felony, which carries 1-4 years in prison
- Class D felony, which means 2-7 years in priso
- Class C felony, which means 3-10 years in prison
- Class B felony, which means 5-15 years in prison
Felony DWI vs. Misdemeanor DWI in Missouri
Most DWI arrests in Missouri are prosecuted as misdemeanors. First-time DWI offenders usually face class B misdemeanor charges, while for those for whom this is their second time being charged with DWI or if a minor was in the vehicle at the time of the stop, it is a class A misdemeanor. Felony charges are reserved for two different reasons: either the accused is a “persistent” offender (meaning this is, at a minimum, their third DWI arrest), or the person charged with a DWI got into an accident while intoxicated.
What Does Being Charged With a Felony Really Mean in St. Louis or Missouri?
In addition to these lengthy jail sentences, being convicted of felony DWI means that you will have a mandatory 10 year suspension of your driving license. Unlike with misdemeanor DWI charges, there is no way to get a restricted driving privilege if you have been convicted of felony DWI in Missouri. You will also be required to install and maintain an ignition interlock device in your car and have an SR-22 insurance endorsement.
But, more importantly, your life will be changed in ways you may not fully grasp. Convicted felons cannot own a firearm, run for office, hold certain jobs, or vote in Missouri elections until their sentence is fully concluded. In addition, those with felony DWIs on their record must disclose to prospective employers or landlords their status as a convicted felon. This can – and often does – limit where they can live and work.
Contact An Experienced St. Louis, MO Felony DWI Attorney Today
It is our job as St. Louis criminal defense attorneys to get you the outcomes you want, and we invite you to look at some of our recent results to see for yourself why Combs Waterkotte is one of St. Louis, MO’s best-reviewed defense firms. When you are ready, call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online anytime and one of our attorneys will be available to speak with you to set up a time for a free review of your case.
Impeccable Record
of Success
Impeccable Record of Success
- Over 10,000 Cases Handled
- Over 250 Five-Star Reviews
- Multiple Major Media Appearances
- Over Four Decades of Experience
Guiding you through the entire process, from start to finish.
We know most people who come to us haven't had to deal with the justice system in this way before. We understand how overwhelming and confusing the process can be, which is why we ensure clarity and support at every turn. From our initial consultation to the the final resolution of your case we strive to make the process easy for you to understand and leave you without any doubts that your case is being handled the right way.
Legal resources for a variety of cases.
Whether you've got questions about what to do when served with an order of protection, the juvenile delinquency process, how to defend a DWI case or anything in between, we have answers. Check out our blog and FAQs for answers to common questions, or contact Combs Waterkotte today to speak directly to an attorney about your case.
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