Washington County, MO

DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer Washington County, MO. A DWI/DUI arrest in Washington County, MO doesn’t just mean criminal charges—it also puts your driver’s license at immediate risk. The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) automatically moves to suspend or revoke your license in Washington County, MO, but you have the right to fight back and tell your side of the story through an administrative hearing.

You have only 15 days following your arrest to request this hearing. Don’t wait—protect your license by contacting a Washington County, MO DWI administrative hearing lawyer at Combs Waterkotte now. Call (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our expert Washington County, MO DWI/DUI defense attorneys who can fight for your driving privileges and build a strong defense for your case in Washington County, MO.

What is a DWI Administrative Hearing in Washington County, MO and Across Missouri?

A DWI administrative hearing is a civil proceeding separate from your criminal DWI case in Washington County, 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 the officer have reasonable suspicion to stop you?
• Were you operating a vehicle while intoxicated?
• Did you refuse a breath or blood test?

A successful hearing outcome could mean keeping your license and avoiding further penalties. However, if the DOR finds that all elements are met and supported by a preponderance of evidence, your license will be suspended or revoked, depending on prior offenses or test refusals.

Missouri License Suspension & Revocation Consequences

If you’re facing a DWI administrative suspension, the penalties depend on your prior offenses in Washington County, MO or elsewhere in Missouri:

• First DWI/DUI Offense: A 90-day suspension applies, but you might qualify for a Restricted Driving Privilege in Washington County, MO after 30 days.
• Second DWI Offense: This means a 1-year license revocation and a possible 5-year license denial if your prior Washington County, MO DWI/DUI was within the last 5 years.
• Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test: Missouri’s implied consent law enforces a 1-year revocation, and you cannot apply 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 Washington County, MO.

The Combs Waterkotte DWI administrative hearing lawyers have over 40 years of experience, successfully handling 10,000+ cases like yours in Washington County, MO and across Missouri. Contact us right away to fight for your driving privileges and get the legal defense you need in Washington County, MO.

How to Get a Limited Driving Privilege (Hardship License) in Washington County, MO

If you’re facing a license suspension, revocation, or denial in Washington County, 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:

• Attending a Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) or other treatment programs
• Visiting an IID provider for required maintenance or installation
• Commuting for work or business-related activities
• Seeking medical care
• Attending school or higher education programs
• Any other circumstance the court determines would cause undue hardship

The LDP application process in Missouri can be complex, but working with an experienced Washington County, MO DWI attorney can help you regain your driving privileges as quickly as possible.

Why You Need a Washington County, MO DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer

Having a skilled DWI administrative hearing attorney in Washington County, 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 Washington County, MO case, and if the DOR fails to prove even one of the above required elements, your suspension can be overturned.

For a suspension to proceed, you must have been under arrest at the time of the breathalyzer or blood test, and that arrest must have been based on probable cause that you were operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. (This is why our Washington County, 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. Additionally, Missouri has strict regulations governing breath and blood testing procedures, including:

• Machines must be serviced every 35 days
• Testing officers must have valid certification
• Use of state-approved testing machines
• Calibration and accuracy must meet legal 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 Washington County, MO DWI experts has a proven track record of helping clients throughout Missouri keep their licenses.

Appealing the Decision of a Washington County, 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 Washington County, MO circuit court within 15 days of the final ruling. This appeal must be filed in the circuit court of the Washington County, MO county where your arrest occurred, and the DOR must be formally served with notice of the appeal. A Combs Waterkotte Washington County, 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 Washington County, 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 Washington County, MO DWI/DUI lawyers an opportunity to present a stronger defense for your case.

It is important to note though, that filing an appeal does not automatically pause your suspension or revocation. In fact, your penalty could go into effect before the appeal hearing occurs meaning you may not be able to drive until the Washington County, MO circuit court rules on your case. If the court ultimately determines that there was insufficient evidence for the suspension or revocation, your driving privileges may be reinstated but this ruling would come only after a period of restricted or suspended driving.

When you hire a Combs Waterkotte Washington County, MO DWI administrative hearing lawyer, you’re not just hiring the ideal DWI administrative hearing lawyer lawyer in Washington County, MO and beyond – you’re protecting your license, your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with knowledgeable DWI administrative hearing attorneys, our staff is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Washington County and beyond:

• Violent Crime Lawyer
• Drug Crimes Lawyer
• Gun Crime Lawyer
• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer

Act Now—Speak with a Washington County, MO DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer Today to Keep Your Driving Privileges

A DWI/DUI arrest in Washington County, 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 Washington County, 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 no-obligation case review where we can get to work on a defense to get you the best possible outcome in Washington County, MO.