DWI Lawyer in Wentzville, MO
DWI Lawyer in Wentzville, MO. Being pulled over and suspected of driving while intoxicated is definitely one of the worst fears a Wentzville-area driver can have. Not only will you be prohibited from driving for a minimum of sixty days, you will have to pay a hefty fine, your insurance rates will go up, and have points on your license for the near future. To make matters worse, your status in the community will take a sizable impact, and your ability to potentially travel out of the United States could be curtailed, as nations such as Canada prevent travelers with DWI convictions on their record from entering.
Have You Been Pulled Over For DWI in Wentzville?
Having an aggressive and effective Wentzville, MO DWI lawyer in your corner can be — and often is — the difference between being found guilty to DWI and suffering all its punishments, and having charges reduced or even dismissed. At Combs Law Group, our veteran St. Louis DWI lawyers fight fiercely for all our Wentzville, MO-area DWI clients. Whether this is the first time you have ever been pulled over for anything or if you have faced DWI charges before, our firm will give your Wentzville DWI case the personal attention you expect and craft a legal strategy that is built to get you the best results.
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 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 understandable to be nervous. Being pulled over by law enforcement for any moving violation is something that can lead to a “fight or flight” reaction, and this is only heightened when you are suspected of impaired driving. Having tried hundreds of Wentzville-area DWI cases, our firm recommends that you do the following if you are ever stopped for DUI:
- Find a secure place to pull over. If you are on a road with a shoulder, pull over there, or stop at a nearby parking lot. Try to avoid parking on grass.
- Record the entire interaction with your phone. Having your own record of your Wentzville DWI stop can greatly benefit your case and identify potential inconsistencies between the police report and what really occured. Police officers are required to follow a set procedure 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 password, too: judges have ruled that police can detain and search unlocked cell phones.
- Stay calm and cooperative. Being hostile to a law enforcement officer will increase the likelihood that they will search your car or subject you to a higher level of scrutiny. Kindness does you a lot of good when stopped for DWI.
- Keep in mind: you have the right to remain silent. Give the officer your license and insurance/registration, but nothing more. Cops are on the lookout for for any excuse to continue an investigation and arrest you, so do not give them any.
- Do not take a hand-heldportable breathalyzer test. While Missouri does have an implied consent law that automatically revokes your driver’s license for 12 months 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 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 you can. 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 BAC test at the station, any issues that came up in your stop, or additional questions you might have can make the difference between paying substantial fines and your case potentially being dismissed.
Fighting Both Sides Of Your Wentzville, 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 Wentzville DWI offense could lead to these 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 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 Wentzville, 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, as well as pay for, 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)
- 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 portion of a Wentzville, MO DWI case regards your driving privileges, and how the Missouri Department of Revenue handles your license revocation or suspension. Most Wentzville-area drivers do not know 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 Wentzville, MO DWI lawyers at Combs Law Group, you can be sure that our firm will take on both parts of your DWI case without delay and work relentlessly to reduce the effect a DWI arrest has on your life. We will collect evidence, go over 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 outcomes for our Wentzville, 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 Wentzville DWI Lawyer Who Gets Results | Combs Law Group
If you have just been arrested and accused of driving while intoxicated in Wentzville, MO, you are probably well aware that time is money when it comes to your case. The sooner you can get a trusted Wentzville DWI lawyer to look over documents, gather evidence, and build your defense, the higher the chances are that the effects resulting from your Wentzville DWI arrest will be greatly limited, if not eliminated.
Combs Law Group has helped hundreds of Wentzville-area residents of all kinds battle DWI charges. Our firm combines first-rate legal acumen and aggressive litigation with a commitment to personal attention and communication that is unequaled among Wentzville DWI law firms. Our DWI lawyers promise 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 talk about your case or any other legal matter. This is part of our promise of total client satisfaction, which our previous clients can attest to as well.
If you get pulled over and charged with DWI in the Wentzville, MO area, call (314) 900-HELP first to schedule a free initial case review and get the veteran Wentzville DWI lawyers at Combs Law Group to work for you.