DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer Troy, MO. If you have been arrested for DWI/DUI near Troy, MO, you’re facing more than just criminal charges—you’re also at risk of losing your driver’s license. The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) initiates an automatic suspension or revocation of your license following a DWI arrest, but you have the right to challenge this action through an administrative hearing.
Time is critical—you have just 15 days from your arrest to request a hearing. Don’t delay. Protect your driving privileges in Troy, MO and beyond by calling a trusted DWI administrative hearing lawyer at Combs Waterkotte right away. Call (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation and let one of our experienced Troy, MO DWI/DUI defense attorneys build a powerful defense for your case.
Legal Videos

DWI Stop Advice – Always Have Your Paperwork Ready
DWI/DUI Stop Advice and Tips. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte provide a real-time walkthrough of the proper actions to take—and crucial mistakes to avoid—during a DWI/DUI …

(Making Of) DWI Behind the Scenes Video – Bonus Footage
Before we could shoot our behind-the-scenes video, there was… this. A quick glimpse at the setup, the laughs, and everything that didn’t quite make the final cut. While this is a fun video …

Behind the Scenes of a DWI/DUI Traffic Stop (Step-by-Step Walkthrough)
Missouri criminal defense and DWI attorneys Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte provide a real-time walkthrough of the proper actions to take—and crucial mistakes to avoid—during a DWI/DUI …

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What happens when you go to court for a DWI or DUI charge? Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte outline what to expect when going to court for a DWI or DUI.

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What are the long-term consequences of a DWI? Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte discuss the potential long-term consequences of a DWI or DUI conviction on your …

What to Do If You Are Pulled Over for DWI in Missouri
What actions should you take if you are pulled over for suspicion of a DWI in Missouri? Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte discuss how to handle the difficult situation of …

Understanding DWI Administrative Hearings in Troy, MO
A DWI administrative hearing is a civil proceeding separate from your criminal DWI case in Troy, MO. It determines whether the state has the right to suspend or revoke your driver’s license based on the circumstances of your arrest. If you don’t request this hearing within 15 days from your arrest date, your suspension goes into effect automatically without hearing your side.
During the hearing, the following elements are examined:
- Did law enforcement have reasonable suspicion to stop you?
- Were you driving while impaired?
- Did you refuse a breath or blood test?
Winning your hearing means you keep your license and avoid further consequences. However, if the DOR determines that these elements are proven by a preponderance of evidence, your license suspension or revocation will be enforced according to state laws and prior offenses.
Missouri License Suspension & Revocation Consequences
The consequences of an administrative hearing suspension depend on your record in Troy, MO and beyond:
- First DWI/DUI Offense: This results in a 90-day license suspension and you could be eligible for a Restricted Driving Privilege in Troy after 30 days.
- Second DWI/DUI Offense: Comes with a 1-year revocation, or 5-year license denial if the previous offense was within 5 years.
- Refusing a Chemical Test: Missouri’s implied consent law enforces a 1-year revocation, and you cannot apply for a hardship license for 90 days.
Since the burden of proof is minimal—just proving it’s more likely than not that you were intoxicated—navigating this hearing alone could jeopardize your license, job, and daily freedom in and around Troy, MO.
With 40+ years of experience and 10,000+ cases successfully handled in Troy and across Missouri, the Combs Waterkotte DWI administrative hearing team is ready to fight for your rights. Reach out to a skilled DWI administrative hearing lawyer in Troy, MO today to discuss your case and protect your driving future.
Securing a Limited Driving Privilege (Hardship License) in Troy, MO
If you’re facing a license suspension, revocation, or denial in Troy, MO, you might still be able to legally drive under specific circumstances with a Limited Driving Privilege (LDP). Eligibility often requires filing an SR-22 insurance certificate and installing an Ignition Interlock Device (IID). Once approved, an LDP—available after 30 days from the administrative hearing period—may allow you to drive for:
- Employment, business, or occupation-related travel
- Medical appointments and treatment
- School or higher education attendance
- Substance abuse programs, such as Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP)
- IID installation or maintenance visits
- Any additional hardship reasons approved by the court
If you need to restore limited driving privileges, consult a knowledgeable Troy, MO DWI lawyer as soon as possible to help improve your chances of approval.
Lincoln County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Lincoln County and Missouri.
Why You Need a Troy, MO DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
Our Troy, MO DWI/DUI defense attorneys can raise a variety of legal and procedural challenges in an administrative alcohol hearing, and the failure of the DOR to prove even one of the above elements can prevent your license suspension.
For a license suspension to be upheld, the arresting officer must have had probable cause to believe you were operating a vehicle while intoxicated at the time of your breathalyzer or blood test. (This is why the Combs Waterkotte Troy, MO DWI/DUI defense team suggests that you refuse these tests, along with any field sobriety test, as law enforcement only conducts these tests to establish probable cause.)
However, delays between the alleged driving and the first police encounter can weaken this argument, making it difficult to prove you were intoxicated while actually behind the wheel. Missouri law mandates that all breath and blood tests adhere to strict state regulations, including:
- Testing machines be maintained every 35 days by a licensed technician
- Testing officers must have valid certification
- Only state-approved testing devices may be used
- Strict calibration and accuracy standards
- Testing machine must function within state’s precise limits regarding temperature and accuracy
If any of these procedures were not followed, your BAC results may be inadmissible, which can significantly strengthen your case. Our Troy, MO legal team conducts thorough investigations into testing equipment, maintenance records, and law enforcement procedures to find potential grounds for dismissing or reducing your suspension.
Appealing the Decision of a Troy, MO DWI Administrative Hearing
If your license has been suspended or revoked, you have the right to challenge the DOR’s decision by filing an appeal in the Troy, MO circuit court within 15 days of the final ruling. This appeal must be submitted in the circuit court of the county where your arrest occurred, and the DOR must be officially notified of the appeal. Our Troy, MO DWI administrative hearing lawyers can handle the entire appeals process on your behalf to get the best possible outcome.
Once the appeal is filed, the case moves to a de novo hearing—meaning the Troy, MO circuit court will conduct an entirely new review of the evidence, without relying on the DOR’s previous decision. Unlike administrative hearings, circuit appeals allow live witness testimony, providing our Troy, MO DWI/DUI lawyers an opportunity to present a stronger defense for your case.
However, it’s important to understand that filing an appeal does not automatically delay your suspension or revocation. Your driving privileges may still be affected before the appeal hearing occurs, meaning you could be unable to drive until the court makes its ruling. If the court ultimately finds insufficient evidence to uphold the suspension, your license can be reinstated, but only after you have already served part of your suspension.

If you choose a Combs Waterkotte DWI administrative hearing lawyer in or around Troy, MO, you’re not just selecting a leading DWI administrative hearing lawyer lawyer in Troy, MO and beyond – you are protecting your license, your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with knowledgeable DWI administrative hearing lawyers, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for Troy, MO residents:
Act Now—Speak with a Troy, MO DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer Today to Keep Your Driving Privileges
A DWI/DUI arrest in Troy, MO doesn’t just mean criminal charges—it puts your driver’s license at immediate risk. You have only 15 days to request a DWI administrative hearing, or else your license suspension or revocation will go into immediate effect—with no option to appeal. Act fast to hire a Troy, MO DWI administrative hearing lawyer to give yourself the best chance at keeping your driving privileges.
Call Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review. Our Troy, MO DWI defense team is ready to fight for you and build a strong case to protect your future.

