DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer Neosho, MO. If you have been arrested for DWI/DUI near Neosho, 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.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. You have only 15 days after your arrest to request this hearing. A Combs Waterkotte Neosho, MO DWI administrative hearing lawyer can fight for your right to drive and build a strategic defense for your case. Call (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free consultation with one of our expert Neosho, MO DWI/DUI defense attorneys before the deadline passes.
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 …

What Is the Process of Going to Court for a DWI?
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.

Long Term Consequences of a DWI
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 …

What is a DWI Administrative Hearing in Neosho, MO and Across Missouri?
A DWI administrative hearing is not a criminal trial—it’s a civil proceeding that determines where your driver’s license will be suspended or revoked after a DWI arrest in Neosho, MO. If you don’t request this hearing, your suspension takes effect automatically, and you lose the chance to contest it.
During the hearing, the following elements are examined:
- Did law enforcement have reasonable grounds to stop you?
- Were you driving a vehicle while intoxicated?
- Did you refuse a breath or blood test?
Winning the hearing can mean keeping your license and avoiding additional penalties. If the DOR determines that the three above questions are affirmatively answered and proven by a preponderance of evidence, your license will be suspended or revoked based on any prior offenses or test refusal.
Understanding Missouri’s License Suspension & Revocation Penalties
The outcome of an administrative hearing depends on your driving history in Neosho and across Missouri:
- First DWI/DUI Offense: A 90-day suspension applies, but you might qualify for a Restricted Driving Privilege in Neosho, MO after 30 days.
- Second DWI/DUI Offense: Leads to a 1-year revocation period in Neosho, MO, or a 5-year license denial if the prior offense was within the past 5 years.
- Refusing a Chemical Test: Triggers a 1-year revocation under Missouri’s implied consent law and makes you ineligible for a hardship license for 90 days.
With such a low burden of proof—the state only needs to prove it’s more likely than not that you were intoxicated—facing this process alone is a serious risk. Losing your license can affect your job, daily responsibilities, and overall mobility in Neosho, MO.
With 40+ years of experience and 10,000+ cases successfully handled in Neosho 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 Neosho, MO today to discuss your case and protect your driving future.
Securing a Limited Driving Privilege (Hardship License) in Neosho, MO
If you licenses has been suspended, revoked, or denied, you might qualify for a Limited Driving Privilege (LDP) in Neosho, MO. To be eligible, you’ll likely need to file an SR-22 insurance form and install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on your vehicle. After 30 days from your 15-day administrative hearing period, an LDP may allow you to drive under specific conditions, like:
- Attending Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) or other alcohol- or drug-treatment programs
- Seeking the required services of a certified IID provider
- A business, occupation, or employment
- Seeking medical treatment
- Attending school or other institution of higher education
- Any other circumstance the court finds would create an undue hardship
If you need to restore limited driving privileges, consult a knowledgeable Neosho, MO DWI lawyer now to help improve your chances of approval.
Newton County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Newton County and Missouri.
Why You Need a Neosho, MO DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
Having a skilled DWI administrative hearing attorney in Neosho, MO can make the difference between keeping your license and facing a suspension. Our DWI/DUI defense lawyers know how to challenge procedural errors and legal flaws in your Neosho, MO case, and if the DOR fails to prove even one of the above required elements, your suspension can be overturned.
A valid suspension requires that you were under arrest at the time of a breathalyzer or blood test and that the arresting officer had probable cause to believe you were intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle. (This is why the Combs Waterkotte Neosho, 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. Also, Missouri law mandates strict compliance with Department of Health and Senior Services regulations regarding breath and blood testing procedures. These regulations require that:
- Routine maintenance of testing devices every 35 days
- Proper certification of the testing officer
- Only state-approved testing devices may be used
- Calibration samples meet specific regulatory standards
- The machine functions within precise limits regarding temperature and accuracy
If any of these requirements were not met, we can challenge the BAC results, which could lead to the dismissal of your suspension. Our team of Neosho, MO DWI experts has a proven track record of helping clients throughout Missouri keep their licenses.
Appealing the Decision of a Neosho, 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 with the Neosho, MO circuit court within 15 days of the final ruling. This appeal must be filed in the circuit court of the Neosho, MO county where your arrest occurred, and the DOR must be formally served with notice of the appeal. A Combs Waterkotte Neosho, MO DWI administrative hearing lawyer can handle filing this appeal for you and represent you to get the best possible outcome.
Once the appeal is filed, the case moves to a de novo hearing—meaning the Neosho, 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 Neosho, 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 partner with a Combs Waterkotte DWI administrative hearing lawyer in or around Neosho, MO, you’re not just selecting a top-rated DWI administrative hearing lawyer lawyer in Neosho, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing your license, your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with esteemed DWI administrative hearing attorneys, our legal team is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Neosho and beyond:
- Weapon Crime Defense Lawyer
- DWI Lawyer With Payment Plans
- Criminal Defense Lawyer with Payment Plans
Don’t Wait—Contact a Neosho, MO DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer Right Away to Keep Your Driving Privileges
If you’ve been arrested for DWI/DUI in Neosho, MO, the clock is ticking on your right to fight for your license. Missing the 15-day deadline on an administrative hearing means automatic suspension or revocation with no way to appeal. You need a Neosho, MO DWI administrative hearing lawyer on your side right now to protect your driving privileges and fight for your future.
Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free case review. Our Neosho, MO DWI defense team is ready to fight for you and build a strong case to protect your future.

