Practice Areas

Practice Areas. Having over 34 years of legal experience, I know that in today’s world getting pulled over for a DWI or being accused of a crime can not only greatly impact your life now, but also your future.  That’s why I have tailored my practice exclusively to Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Defense, Driving While Under the Influence (DUI) Defense, Criminal Felony and Misdemeanor Defense and Traffic Ticket Defense.  My goal is to ensure that your rights are protected, to aggressively advocate on your behalf, and to seek out any mitigating evidence to try and obtain the most favorable outcome possible.

Some of my practice areas of expertise include:Practice Areas: DWI Defense – DUI Defense

A DWI Charge (Driving While Intoxicated), which in some courts is called a DUI Charge (Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs), is a very serious offence, even though it us usually issued as a traffic ticket. The consequences can be: Loss of your driver’s license and/or commercial drivers license (CDL); Points assessed against your drivers license; Being required to attend alcohol treatment programs such as SATOP or  ADEP; Heavy fines; Being required to wear the SCRAM device; Being required to have the ignition interlock device installed on your vehicles: Being ordered to perform community service;  Being sentenced to serve time in jail or prison; and having a conviction entered on your permanent criminal record. The laws and punishments in this area of DWI laws have become more strict and severe over the years, including the increased charge of a felony being issued for repeat offenders.

When an individual is charged with either a DWI or a DUI, two separate sections of Missouri law govern the proceedings.

Criminal DWI: This law deals with the criminal aspect of the ticket that was issued. Besides the above listed consequences, if you are convicted of an alcohol offense, the court will send a copy of the conviction to the Missouri Department of Revenue, resulting in points imposed against your driving record.  This point assessment could lead to a suspension or revocation of your driving privileges for days, months, or even years.

Administrative DWI:  This law deals with the administrative aspect of the ticket.  It imposes a separate suspension or revocation of the driving privilege if either your blood alcohol content (BAC) level is over the legal limit or if you refuse the BAC test(s) providing a sample of your breath/blood/urine.  This can be an automatic suspension or revocation, even if the ticket was disposed of in court or reduced to a lesser charge. If you submitted to a breath/blood/urine test, the police officer should have given you a Form 2385.  This is your 15 day Temporary Driving Permit. You only have 15 days to request an Administrative Alcohol Hearing or else your driving privileges will be suspended.

If you refused to take a test test, the police officer should have given you a Form 4323. This informs you that your driving privileges will be revoked for one year, 15 days from the date of the notice, unless a timely appeal is filed.

Read more about DWI Defense to find out how I can help save your license and your right to drive.

Practice Areas: Traffic Ticket Defense

A simple speeding ticket may seem like more of an inconvenience than an emergency, but for some, it can be the difference between staying on the road and having your driver’s license being suspended. While speeding may be the most well-known source of traffic tickets, any moving violation can result in points being added against your license, from running a stop sign, to vehicular manslaughter.

According to the Missouri Point System, if you accumulate 8 or more points in an 18-month period, your license will be suspended for 30 days. This increases to 60 days for a second offense and 90 days for any subsequent offenses. If you accumulate 12 or more points in a year, 18 or more points in two years, or 24 or more points in three years, your license will be suspended for a year. Therefore it’s imperative to prevent undeserved points from being counted against you.

I can help keep points off your license. Find out how at Traffic Ticket Defense. Practice Areas: Criminal Defense

Criminal acts are divided into “major” offenses (felonies) and “minor” offenses (misdemeanors). Either can produce fines and/or incarceration, and can lead to a permanent criminal record. The penalty for a misdemeanor is capped at a $2,000 fine and/or 1 year in the county jail (plus court fees), while a felony (depending on the Class or seriousness) can result in up to life in prison.

Because the stakes are so high, it’s vital to have experienced representation. I have defended all types of crimes from Class A to E Class Felony Charges, and the different types of Misdemeanors Charges and Municipal Court Infractions.

To find out more about how I can help you with your criminal defense, click here at Criminal Defense Lawyer.

Practice Areas: Criminal Non-Support Defense

Failure to pay child support is a unique crime in the State of Missouri. If you owe less than 12 month’s back child support, you could be charged with a misdemeanor criminal non-support; if you owe more than 12 month’s back child support, you can be charged with a felony and a warrant issued for your arrest. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for the State of Missouri keeps records of your child support payments and must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you have failed to pay. If you believe the State’s records to be incorrect, incomplete, have had extenuating circumstances, or a “good cause” reason why you were not able to pay, then call me today or click Criminal Non-Support Defense to read more about how I can help defend you against this charge.

Practice Areas: Motorcycle DWI Defense Law 
A DWI Charge (Driving While Intoxicated), which in some courts is called a DUI Charge (Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs), is a very serious offence, even though it us usually issued as a traffic ticket. The consequences can be: Loss of your driver’s license and/or commercial drivers license (CDL); Points assessed against your drivers license; Being required to attend alcohol treatment programs such as SATOP or  ADEP; Heavy fines; Being required to wear the SCRAM device; Being required to have the ignition interlock device installed on your vehicles: Being ordered to perform community service;  Being sentenced to serve time in jail or prison; and having a conviction entered on your permanent criminal record. The laws and punishments in this area of DWI laws have become more strict and severe over the years, including the increased charge of a felony being issued for repeat offenders.

When an individual is charged with either a DWI or a DUI, two separate sections of Missouri law govern the proceedings.

Criminal DWI: This law deals with the criminal aspect of the ticket that was issued. Besides the above listed consequences, if you are convicted of an alcohol offense, the court will send a copy of the conviction to the Missouri Department of Revenue, resulting in points imposed against your driving record.  This point assessment could lead to a suspension or revocation of your driving privileges for days, months, or even years.

Administrative DWI:  This law deals with the administrative aspect of the ticket.  It imposes a separate suspension or revocation of the driving privilege if either your blood alcohol content (BAC) level is over the legal limit or if you refuse the BAC test(s) providing a sample of your breath/blood/urine.  This can be an automatic suspension or revocation, even if the ticket was disposed of in court or reduced to a lesser charge. If you submitted to a breath/blood/urine test, the police officer should have given you a Form 2385.  This is your 15 day Temporary Driving Permit. You only have 15 days to request an Administrative Alcohol Hearing or else your driving privileges will be suspended.

If you refused to take a test test, the police officer should have given you a Form 4323. This informs you that your driving privileges will be revoked for one year, 15 days from the date of the notice, unless a timely appeal is filed.

Read more about Motorcycle DWI’s here to find out how I can help save your license and your right to drive a motorcycle.

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