DWI Lawyer in Bridgeton, MO
DWI Lawyer in Bridgeton, MO. Getting pulled over and charged with driving while intoxicated is definitely one of the worst worries a Bridgeton-area motorist can have. Not only will you be stripped of your driving privileges for a minimum of sixty days, you will have to pay a significant fine, your insurance rates will go up, and have points on your license for years to come. To make matters worse, your reputation in the community will take a significant hit, and your ability to potentially travel out of the United States could be curtailed, as countries such as Canada bar travelers with DWI convictions on their record from entering.
Have You Been Pulled Over For DWI in Bridgeton?
Having an effective and aggressive Bridgeton, MO DWI lawyer on your case can —and often does — make the difference between pleading guilty to DWI and suffering all its punishments, and having charges reduced or even dismissed. At Combs Law Group, our experienced St. Louis DWI lawyers fight relentlessly for all our Bridgeton, MO-area DWI clients. Whether this is the first time you have ever been pulled over for anything or if you have previous DWIs on your record, our firm will give your Bridgeton DWI case the personal attention you deserve and create a legal strategy that is made to get you the optimal outcome.
Our record of success for those accused of DWI is second to none, and we are committed to total client satisfaction in everything we do. After you have been arrested for DWI, make (314) 900-HELP your first call. Initial consultations are always free, and Combs Law Group will work with you regardless of any financial difficulties you might have to help you beat your St. Louis DWI charges.
What Should I Do After I’m Pulled Over For DWI?
After you have been stopped by a police officer who believes that you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it’s understandable to be nervous. Being pulled over by the cops for any moving violation is something that can trigger a “fight or flight” reaction, and this is only increased when you are accused of impaired driving. Having tried hundreds of Bridgeton-area DWI cases, our firm requests that you take the following course of action if you are ever stopped for DUI:
- Find a secure place to pull over. If you are on a road with a shoulder, stop there, or find a nearby parking lot. Try to avoid parking on grass.
- Record the entire interaction with your phone. Having your own account of your Bridgeton DWI stop can greatly improve your case and find potential inconsistencies between the police report and what really occured. Police officers are mandated to follow a set protocol in every DWI stop, and any incorrect or overlooked action can result in your case being dismissed. Make sure that your phone is locked and secured with a passcode, too: judges have ruled that police can search and detain unsecured cell phones.
- Stay calm and cooperative. Being aggressive with a cop will lower the odds that they will search your car or subject you to a higher level of scrutiny. Being polite goes a long way when stopped for DWI.
- Remember: you have the right to remain silent. Give the officer your license and insurance/registration, but do not give them anything else. Cops are on the lookout for for any reason to continue an investigation and take you into custody, so do not give them any.
- Do not take a hand-heldportable breath test. While Missouri does have an implied consent law that automatically suspends your driving privileges for 12 months if you elect not to take a breathalyzer or blood test, this only applies after you have been arrested for DWI. Portable breathalyzers are not always reliable and are only used as a method for an officer to get probable cause to place you under arrest.
- If you are arrested, call a lawyer immediately. Your discussion with an attorney is 100% privileged and confidential under Missouri law. Getting advice from an experienced St. Louis DWI lawyer about whether you should take a breath test at the precinct, any issues that came up in your stop, or other questions you might have can be the difference between spending time in jail and your case potentially being dismissed.
Fighting Both Sides Of Your Bridgeton, MO DWI Case
DWI cases in Missouri have two halves: a criminal process and a civil side. The criminal sentences for DWI in Missouri, as you are well aware, are serious. Even a first Bridgeton DWI offense could lead to the following punishments under Missouri law, as it is defined 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 called SATOP
- Required purchase of a high-risk auto insurance plan, also known as an SR-22
What Happens If This Isn’t My First DWI?
If this is your second DWI arrest in Bridgeton, MO, you will likely be looking at class A misdemeanor charges, which include these punishments:
- 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 custody 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, an ignition interlock device (which prevents someone from starting a vehicle if their BAC is over a certain limit)
- Regular, verifiable 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, also known as an SR-22
The administrative component in a Bridgeton, MO DWI case relates to your driving privileges, and how the Missouri Department of Revenue handles your license revocation or suspension. Most Bridgeton-area drivers are unaware that you can appeal the automatic suspension or revocation of your license, as long as that appeal is filed within 15 days of your original arrest. When you hire the Bridgeton, MO DWI lawyers at Combs Law Group, you can be confident that our firm will handle both components of your DWI case urgently and work tirelessly to minimize the effect a DWI arrest has on your life. We will obtain evidence, go over the facts of your case, identify potential holes in the police report or arrest, and craft a strategy that is built to win.
Some of our recent DWI/DUI Victories
Our track record for getting optimal outcomes for our Bridgeton, MO DWI clients is unmatched, as seen by these results:Reduced
Felony DWI/DUI
St. Louis County man with multiple past convictions has DWI charges reduced.
Reduced
Aggravated DUI
Serious felony DUI charges reduced to a lower level.
Contact A Bridgeton DWI Lawyer Who Wins | Combs Law Group
If you have recently been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in Bridgeton, MO, you are certainly cognizant that time is money when it comes to your case. The quicker you can get a trusted Bridgeton DWI lawyer to review documents, gather evidence, and establish your defense, the higher the chances are that the effects resulting from your Bridgeton DWI arrest will be greatly limited, if not erased.
Combs Law Group has helped a large number of Bridgeton-area residents of all kinds fight DWI charges. Our firm melds top-notch legal knowledge and combative litigation with a promise to provide personal service and communication that is unequaled among Bridgeton DWI law firms. Our DWI lawyers guarantee that regardless of what time it is, regardless of the situation, and no matter the circumstances, they will be able to answer your call and talk about your case or any other legal topic. This is part of our promise of 100% client satisfaction, which our former clients can speak to as well.
If you get pulled over and charged with DWI in the Bridgeton, MO area, call (314) 900-HELP first to schedule a free initial case review and get the experienced Bridgeton DWI lawyers at Combs Law Group on your case.