St. Louis, MO

DWI Lawyer in St. Louis, MO

DWI Lawyer in St. Louis, MO. Facing allegations of driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be a daunting experience, particularly considering the potential repercussions for St. Louis, MO drivers. Beyond the immediate consequences of a minimum 60-day suspension of your driving privileges, hefty fines, elevated insurance premiums, and enduring points on your license, the aftermath extends to enduring damage to your reputation within your St. Louis community or your professional sphere. Additionally, international travel prospects may be thwarted, with countries like Canada prohibiting entry for people with a DWI conviction on their record.

If you find yourself in the challenging situation of facing DWI charges after being pulled over in the St. Louis, MO area, it’s crucial to enlist the support of an experienced DWI lawyer in St. Louis. Waste no time; call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or through our online contact form to initiate the process of crafting a robust defense for your case. Take advantage of our attorneys’ expertise through a free, no-strings-attached consultation to discuss the details of your situation and your next steps.

Have You Been Pulled Over Anywhere in the St. Louis, MO Area?

Having an aggressive and effective St. Louis, MO DWI lawyer on your case can be the pivotal factor between accepting a DWI conviction with severe repercussions and achieving a more favorable outcome such as reduced charges or even dismissal. At Combs Waterkotte, our seasoned St. Louis, MO DWI attorneys fight tirelessly on behalf of all our St. Louis, MO area DWI clients. No matter if this is your first encounter with law enforcement or if you are dealing with DWI charges again, our firm is committed to providing your St. Louis, MO DWI case with the attention it deserves. We devise a legal strategy tailored specifically to securing the best possible outcome for you.

Our record of success for those accused of DWI in St. Louis is second to none, and we are committed to total client satisfaction in all that we do. After you have been arrested for DWI in or anywhere near St. Louis, MO, make (314) 900-HELP your first call. Initial case reviews are always free, and Combs Waterkotte will work with you no matter what financial difficulties you might have to help you beat your St. Louis, MO DWI charges.

What Should I Do After I’m Pulled Over For DWI?

After being pulled over by a police officer suspecting impairment due to alcohol or drugs in the St. Louis, MO area, it’s natural to feel nervous. Being stopped by law enforcement for any moving violation is something that can trigger a “fight or flight” response, and this is only increased when you are accused of impaired driving. With extensive experience handling numerous DWI cases in St. Louis, MO, our firm recommends that you take the following course of action if you are ever pulled over for DWI:

• Safely pull over. Ensure a safe pull-over by using your turn signal, choosing a well-lit area on the side of the road, and opting for a shoulder or nearby parking lot if available. Try to avoid parking on grass.
• 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 stopped for DWI near St. Louis, MO.
• Avoid self-incrimination. Exercise your right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment. Give the officer your license and insurance/registration, but refrain from offering additional information. Law enforcement is seeking any reason 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 stating that you prefer not to respond without legal advice.
• Do not take a 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 frequently deemed unreliable and are primarily used as a way for an officer to get probable cause to arrest you.
• If you are arrested, call a lawyer as soon as you can. Conversations with an attorney are completely confidential and privileged under Missouri law. Getting advice from an experienced St. Louis, MO DWI lawyer regarding whether to undergo a breath test at the station, addressing any issues during your stop, or other questions you might have can make the difference between losing the ability to drive for months and your case potentially being dismissed.

Being charged with driving under the influence carries severe legal repercussions in St. Louis, MO, encompassing fines, the suspension of your driver’s license, and the possibility of jail time. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the potential consequences is crucial, and a Combs Waterkotte attorney is ready to provide detailed insights and more during a free case review. DWI laws can differ across jurisdictions, even in smaller areas neighboring St. Louis, 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 serious legal consequences in St. Louis, MO, including fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. Having a firm grasp of the potential outcomes is essential, and a Combs Waterkotte attorney will provide that and more during a free case review. Laws regarding DWI vary by jurisdiction, even small areas surrounding St. Louis, MO, so it’s advisable to consult with a lawyer familiar with the laws in your area for specific advice tailored to your situation.

Fighting Both Sides Of Your St. Louis, MO DWI Case

DWI cases in Missouri involve two distinct components: the criminal aspect and the civil facet. The criminal punishments for DWI in Missouri, as you likely know, are serious. Even a first DWI offense could lead to the following consequences 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 reduced to a restricted driving privilege (RDP) permit
• Required participation in a drug/alcohol treatment program known as 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 skilled St. Louis, MO legal team ensures that the citizens of St. Louis, MO receive the best possible legal presentation, no matter the circumstance. After all, good people often find themselves in bad situations. Along with DWI defense in St. Louis, MO, our attorneys are experienced in numerous types of cases, like:

• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
• Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
• Criminal Lawyer
• Juvenile Defense Lawyer
• Sexual Misconduct Lawyer
• Traffic Ticket Lawyer
• Order of Protection Defense Lawyer
• Speeding Ticket Lawyer

What Happens If This Isn’t My First DWI?

If this is your second DWI arrest in St. Louis, MO, be prepared for the prospect of dealing with class A misdemeanor charges, which include these penalties:

• 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, at your own expense, a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID). This keeps someone from starting a vehicle if their BAC is over a certain limit.
• Regular, trackable 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 (SR-22)

The administrative aspect of a DWI case in St. Louis, MO relates to your driving privileges, and how the Missouri Department of Revenue manages your license revocation or suspension. Many drivers in the St. Louis, MO area do not know that you can appeal the automatic suspension or revocation of your license, provided the appeal is submitted within 15 days of your initial arrest in St. Louis, MO.

When you enlist the impeccable services of the DWI lawyers with experience in St. Louis, MO at Combs Waterkotte, rest assured that our firm will quickly address both facets 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, identify potential discrepancies in the St. Louis police report or arrest, and craft a strategy that is built to win. Call us right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

Contact A DWI Lawyer Who Wins in St. Louis, MO | Combs Waterkotte

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

Combs Waterkotte has helped hundreds of St. Louis, MO-area residents from all walks of life take on DWI charges. Our firm seamlessly blends unparalleled legal expertise and assertive litigation with a commitment to personalized service and communication that stands out among DWI law firms near St. Louis, 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 commitment is an integral part of our pledge to gain complete client satisfaction, which our previous clients can attest to as well.

After you have been pulled over and arrested for DWI in the St. Louis, MO area, prioritize calling (314) 900-HELP for a free initial consultation. Trust the experienced St. Louis, MO DWI attorneys at Combs Waterkotte to diligently handle your case.