DWI Lawyer in Hillsboro, MO

DWI Lawyer in Hillsboro, MO. Being pulled over and suspected of driving while intoxicated is almost certainly one of the biggest fears a Hillsboro-area motorist can have. Not only will you be suspended of your driving privileges for a minimum of sixty 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 image in the community will take a massive hit, and your ability to potentially travel out of the United States could be curtailed, as nations including Canada bar travelers with DWI convictions on their record from entering.

Have You Been Pulled Over For DWI in Hillsboro?

Having an effective and aggressive Hillsboro, MO DWI lawyer in your corner can be — and often is — the difference between pleading guilty to DWI and facing all its consequences, and having charges reduced or even dismissed. At Combs Law Group, our seasoned St. Louis DWI lawyers fight tirelessly on behalf of all our Hillsboro, 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 Hillsboro DWI case the personal attention you expect and craft a legal strategy that is built to get you the optimal outcome.

Our track record of success for those facing DWI charges 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 pulled over by a police officer who believes that you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it’s understandable to be nervous. Being stopped by the cops for any traffic infraction is something that can trigger a “fight or flight” reaction, and this is only heightened when you are suspected of impaired driving. Having taken a substantial number of Hillsboro-area DWI cases, our firm suggests that you take the following course of action if you are ever pulled over for DUI:

• Find a safe place to pull over. If you are on a road with a shoulder, stop there, or stop at a nearby parking lot. Try not to park on grass.
• Record the entire encounter with your phone. Having your own account of your Hillsboro DWI stop can greatly help your case and highlight potential inconsistencies between the police account and what really happened. Police officers are required to follow a set protocol in every DWI stop, and any incorrect or overlooked step can result in your case being dismissed. Make sure that your phone is locked and secured with a password, as well: courts have ruled that police can detain and search unsecured cell phones.
• Stay calm and cooperative. Being hostile to a police officer will only make them more likely to search your car or subject you to increased scrutiny. A little politeness goes a long way when stopped for DWI.
• Keep in mind: you have the right to remain silent. Give the officer your insurance card and license, but do not give them anything else. Officers are on the lookout for 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 12 months if you refuse a breathalyzer or blood test, this only applies after you have been arrested for DWI. Hand-held 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, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Your chat 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 breath test at the station, any issues that arose during your stop, or other questions you might have can make the difference between losing the ability to drive for months and your case possibly being dismissed.

Fighting Both Sides Of Your Hillsboro, MO DWI Case

DWI cases in Missouri have two components: a criminal side and a civil side. The criminal punishments for DWI in Missouri, as you likely know, are stiff. Even a first Hillsboro 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 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 Hillsboro, MO, you will likely be facing 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 can be between from one to five years
• You must install and maintain, as well as pay for, 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)
• Mandatory participation in a drug/alcohol treatment program
• Required purchase of a high-risk auto insurance plan, also known as an SR-22

The administrative half of a Hillsboro, MO DWI case relates to your driving privileges, and how the Missouri Department of Revenue deals with your license revocation or suspension. Most Hillsboro-area drivers are unaware that you can appeal the mandatory suspension or revocation of your license, as long as that appeal is filed within 15 days of your initial arrest. When you hire the Hillsboro, MO DWI lawyers at Combs Law Group, you can be sure that our firm will handle both parts of your DWI case without delay and work hard to reduce the effect a DWI arrest has on your life. We will obtain evidence, go over the details of your case, identify potential problems 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 the best results for our Hillsboro, MO DWI clients is unequaled, as evidenced by these results:

Contact A Hillsboro DWI Lawyer Who Wins | Combs Law Group

If you have just been arrested and accused of driving while intoxicated in Hillsboro, MO, you are certainly cognizant that time is of the essence when dealing with your case. The quicker you can get an experienced Hillsboro DWI lawyer to review documents, obtain evidence, and craft your defense, the higher the chances are that the effects resulting from your Hillsboro DWI arrest will be greatly lowered, if not erased.

Combs Law Group has helped a large number of Hillsboro-area residents from all walks of life take on DWI charges. Our firm merges best-in-class legal expertise and hard-nosed litigation with a commitment to personal attention and communication that is unmatched among Hillsboro DWI law firms. Our DWI lawyers promise that no matter the time, no matter the situation, and no matter where you are, they will be able to answer your call and discuss your case or any other legal matter. This is part of our commitment to 100% client satisfaction, which our former clients can attest to as well.

After you have been pulled over and arrested for DWI in the Hillsboro, MO area, call (314) 900-HELP first to schedule a free initial case review and put the skilled Hillsboro DWI lawyers at Combs Law Group in your corner.