DWI Lawyer in Vandalia, MO

DWI Lawyer in Vandalia, MO. Getting pulled over and accused of driving while intoxicated is arguably one of the biggest fears a Vandalia-area driver 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 premiums will drastically increase, and have points on your license for the near future. To make matters worse, your reputation in the community will take a sizable blow, and your ability to potentially travel out of the United States could be limited, as countries such as Canada prohibit travelers with DWI convictions on their record from entering.

Have You Been Pulled Over For DWI in Vandalia?

Having an aggressive and effective Vandalia, MO DWI lawyer in your corner can be — and often is — the difference between pleading guilty to DWI and suffering all its consequences, and having charges reduced or even dismissed. At Combs Law Group, our seasoned St. Louis DWI lawyers fight relentlessly for all our Vandalia, MO-area DWI clients. Whether this is the first time you have ever been stopped for any moving violation or if you have previous DWIs on your record, our firm will give your Vandalia DWI case the personal attention you expect and plan a legal strategy that is designed to get you the best outcome.

Our 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 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 police for any traffic infraction is something that can lead to a “fight or flight” response, and this is only increased when you are suspected of impaired driving. Having tried many Vandalia-area DWI cases, our firm recommends that you follow these steps if you are ever pulled over for DUI:

• Find a secure 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 stop with your phone. Having your own record of your Vandalia DWI stop can greatly benefit your case and highlight potential inconsistencies between the police account and what really occured. Police officers are mandated to follow a set procedure 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 passcode, too: judges have ruled that police can search and detain unsecured cell phones.
• Stay calm and cooperative. Being aggressive with a law enforcement officer will increase the likelihood that they will search your car or subject you to heightened scrutiny. A little politeness is the best thing to do when stopped for DWI.
• Keep in mind: you have the right to remain silent. Give the officer your insurance card and license, but nothing more. Cops are on the lookout for for any excuse to continue an investigation and arrest you, so do not give them one.
• Do not take a hand-heldportable breath test. While Missouri does have an implied consent law that automatically suspends your driving privileges for one year if you elect not to take a breathalyzer or blood test, this only comes into effect after you have been arrested for DWI. Portable breathalyzers are often unreliable and are only used as a way for an officer to get probable cause to take you into custody.
• If you are arrested, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Your chat with an attorney is entirely privileged and confidential under Missouri law. Getting advice from an experienced St. Louis DWI lawyer about whether you should take a BAC test at the station, any issues that came up in your stop, or further questions you might have can make the difference between paying substantial fines and your case potentially being dismissed.

Fighting Both Sides Of Your Vandalia, MO DWI Case

DWI cases in Missouri have two components: a criminal side and a civil side. The criminal sentences for DWI in Missouri, as you are well aware, are serious. Even a first Vandalia 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 reduced 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, referred to as an SR-22

What Happens If This Isn’t My First DWI?

If this is your second DWI arrest in Vandalia, 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 no less than 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 ranges 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, trackable alcohol consumption 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 Vandalia, MO DWI case relates to your driving privileges, and how the Missouri Department of Revenue deals with your license revocation or suspension. Most Vandalia-area drivers are not aware that you can appeal the mandatory suspension or revocation of your license, as long as that appeal is filed within 15 days of your original arrest. When you work with the Vandalia, MO DWI lawyers at Combs Law Group, you can be sure that our firm will tackle both halves of your DWI case without delay and fight relentlessly to minimize the effect a DWI arrest has on your life. We will collect evidence, look at the facts of your case, identify potential holes in the police report or arrest, and create a strategy that is designed to win.

Some of our recent DWI/DUI Victories

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

Contact A Vandalia DWI Lawyer Who Wins | Combs Law Group

If you have recently been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in Vandalia, MO, you are definitely well aware that timing is critical when dealing with your case. The sooner you can get a trusted Vandalia DWI lawyer to read documents, collect evidence, and build your case, the better the odds are that the punishments resulting from your Vandalia DWI arrest will be greatly limited, if not eliminated.

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

If you get pulled over and charged with DWI in the Vandalia, MO area, make (314) 900-HELP your first call to schedule a free initial document review and get the skilled Vandalia DWI lawyers at Combs Law Group on your case.