DWI Lawyer in Centralia, MO

DWI Lawyer in Centralia, MO. Getting pulled over and suspected of driving while intoxicated is definitely one of the biggest worries a Centralia-area driver can have. Not only will you be suspended of your driving privileges for at least sixty days, you will have to pay a hefty fine, your insurance rates will go up, and have points on your license for years to come. Even worse, your status among friends and neighbors will take a massive hit, and your ability to potentially travel out of the United States could be cut off, as nations such as Canada prevent travelers with DWI convictions on their record from entering.

Have You Been Pulled Over For DWI in Centralia?

Having an effective and aggressive Centralia, MO DWI lawyer on your team can —and often does — make the difference between being found guilty to DWI and facing all its punishments, and having charges reduced or even dismissed. At Combs Law Group, our experienced St. Louis DWI lawyers fight fiercely for all our Centralia, MO-area DWI clients. Whether this is the first time you have ever been pulled over for any moving violation or if this is not the first time you are facing DWI charges, our firm will give your Centralia DWI case the personal attention you deserve and plan a legal strategy that is designed to get you the best outcome.

Our track record of success for those accused of DWI is unmatched, 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 with no regard to 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 pulled over by a police officer who suspects that you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it’s logical to be nervous. Being pulled over by police for any moving violation is something that can trigger a “fight or flight” reaction, and this is only increased when you are suspected of impaired driving. Having taken a substantial number of Centralia-area DWI cases, our firm suggests that you do the following if you are ever stopped for DUI:

• Find a safe 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 record of your Centralia DWI stop can greatly benefit your case and highlight potential differences between the police account and what really occured. Police officers are required 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 seize and search 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 increased scrutiny. Kindness 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 nothing more. Cops are looking for any reason to continue an investigation and take you into custody, so do not give them one.
• Do not take a hand-heldportable breath test. While Missouri does have an implied consent law that automatically revokes your driver’s license for one year if you do not take a breathalyzer or blood test, this only comes into effect 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 arrest you.
• If you are arrested, call a lawyer as soon as you can. Your discussion with an attorney is completely confidential and privileged under Missouri law. Getting advice from a veteran St. Louis DWI lawyer about whether you should take a breathalyzer test at the station, any complications that arose in your stop, or further questions you might have can be the difference between paying substantial fines and your case potentially being dismissed.

Fighting Both Sides Of Your Centralia, MO DWI Case

DWI cases in Missouri have two halves: a criminal side and a civil side. The criminal sentences for DWI in Missouri, as you are well aware, are stiff. Even a first Centralia DWI offense could lead to these consequences under Missouri law, as it is classified 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 known as 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 Centralia, 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 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, an ignition interlock device (which keeps someone from starting a vehicle if their BAC is over a certain limit)
• Regular, verifiable alcohol 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 portion of a Centralia, MO DWI case regards your driving privileges, and how the Missouri Department of Revenue handles your license revocation or suspension. Most Centralia-area drivers are not aware that you can appeal the automatic suspension or revocation of your license, but only if that appeal is filed within 15 days of your initial arrest. When you work with the Centralia, MO DWI lawyers at Combs Law Group, you can rest assured that our firm will tackle both parts of your DWI case without delay and work hard to reduce the effect a DWI arrest has on your life. We will gather evidence, go over the facts of your case, identify potential problems in the police report or arrest, and create a strategy that is built to win.

Some of our recent DWI/DUI Victories

Our track record for getting the best results for our Centralia, MO DWI clients is unequaled, as evidenced by these results:

Contact A Centralia DWI Lawyer Who Wins | Combs Law Group

If you have recently been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in Centralia, MO, you are probably well aware that time is of the essence when it comes to your case. The sooner you can get an experienced Centralia DWI lawyer to look over documents, obtain evidence, and craft your defense, the better the odds are that the consequences resulting from your Centralia DWI arrest will be greatly reduced, if not eliminated.

Combs Law Group has helped hundreds of Centralia-area residents from all backgrounds fight DWI accusations. Our firm melds top-notch legal acumen and combative litigation with a pledge to provide personal service and communication that is unmatched among Centralia DWI law firms. Our DWI lawyers promise 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 with you about your case or any other legal matter. This is part of our commitment to total client satisfaction, which our previous clients can speak to as well.

After you have been pulled over and charged with DWI in the Centralia, MO area, make (314) 900-HELP your first call to schedule a free initial consultation and put the veteran Centralia DWI lawyers at Combs Law Group on your case.