Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is an area of criminal law that continues to evolve as a result of the continuing changes made each year by the Missouri General Assembly. Generally, a person arrested for a DWI not only risks the loss of a driver’s license through a suspension or revocation by the Missouri Department of Revenue but faces serving time in jail or prison as a result of a DWI guilty plea or conviction. You need to hire a DWI / DUI lawyer with extensive experience handling driving while intoxicated (DWI) cases.
Over the course of my career, I have served as a criminal defense lawyer for hundreds of people facing DWI charges. As a former prosecuting attorney in Cole County, I bring that experience directly to my clients’ cases. I have tried criminal cases in circuit courts and federal courts throughout Missouri.
I have also authored a section of the Missouri Bar‘s DWI Law and Practice book on chemical refusal cases, a reference used by other attorneys with questions about DWI law. The National Trial Lawyers has selected me as one of the Top 100 lawyers in criminal defense, including DWI. I am also a proud member of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
My clients come to me from many different situations. Some are facing their first arrest and have no idea what to expect. Others are dealing with repeat charges or circumstances that make the stakes even higher. Regardless of where you are in that spectrum, I approach every case the same way: carefully, candidly, and with a strategy built around your goals.
Here is a look at the types of clients I regularly represent:
No matter which of these situations applies to you, my job is to listen carefully, assess the facts honestly, and build the strongest defense available.
As mentioned above, DWI laws are continually changing, and the outcome often depends on the unique circumstances of the particular arrest. For example, how did the traffic stop for DWI by the officer occur? Was the vehicle being driven at the time of the DWI stop? How did the officer attempt to determine whether a person was intoxicated in making an arrest for DWI? Did the person make any statements to the officer that they had been drinking at the time of the arrest for driving while intoxicated? Did the officer read the person their Miranda rights during the DWI arrest? How was the chemical analysis of a person’s breath or blood performed to determine the level of alcohol concentration in the body? What DWI field sobriety tests were administered, and how did the person perform? What observations did the officer make in determining whether to arrest a person for driving while intoxicated? As these questions illustrate, numerous facts and details must be determined to evaluate the strength or weakness of a DWI case and determine how to proceed.
Experience on both sides of the courtroom is not something most attorneys can claim. As a former Cole County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, I know what the state must prove to secure a conviction, and I use that knowledge to build stronger defenses for my clients.
The National Trial Lawyers Association has selected me as one of the top 100 lawyers in criminal defense. I have been voted the number one criminal defense lawyer in the Jefferson City News Tribune and recognized as City’s Best Attorney by Jeff City Magazine. I authored a section of the Missouri Bar’s DWI Law and Practice book on chemical refusal cases, a resource other attorneys reference when handling these matters.
A DWI charge does not automatically result in a conviction. Evidence can be challenged. Charges can be reduced. Cases can be dismissed. The path forward depends on acting quickly and working with an attorney who understands every layer of DWI laws.
If you or someone you know has been charged with driving while intoxicated, contact my office now to schedule a consultation. The sooner we speak, the more options you have.
A DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) charge in Missouri means the state believes you operated a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or both. This is a criminal offense, and even a first charge can lead to jail time, fines, and a permanent mark on your record that affects your job, reputation, and future opportunities. That said, a charge is not a conviction, and the details of your case, from how the traffic stop occurred to how testing was handled, can shape the outcome significantly.
Yes, a first DWI is a criminal charge, and I never want a client to treat it lightly. Even without a prior record, a conviction can suspend your license, raise your insurance rates, create a criminal record that appears on background checks, and affect your employment. Every case turns on its own facts, so my job is to review the details of your stop, your testing, and the evidence, then give you a candid assessment of your options.
Yes, some DWI charges can be reduced or dismissed, though outcomes depend entirely on the facts of each case. When I review a case, I examine the reason for the traffic stop, whether testing procedures were followed correctly, the strength of the state’s evidence, and whether any constitutional issues could limit or exclude that evidence. When the facts support it, I work to reduce or dismiss the charge; when they do not, I give you an honest picture of where things stand.
You are not required to answer questions about your driving, your drinking, or your whereabouts after a DWI arrest. Statements made after an arrest often become evidence the state uses against you, so you can politely provide your name and basic identifying information, then let the officer know you want to speak with a lawyer before answering anything further. Staying calm and respectful while exercising your right to remain silent is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your case.
Refusing a breath or chemical test typically creates more problems than it solves. Under Missouri’s implied consent law, driving on state roads means you have already agreed to submit to testing when an officer lawfully requests it, and refusing carries its own consequences separate from the criminal DWI case. Before making that decision, it is worth understanding that a refusal can be used against you and may trigger an automatic license suspension.
A Jefferson City man faced DUI charges following a field sobriety test. Charges against the defendant were dropped after Scott successfully maintained the client’s claims that the test results were inaccurate. While the client initially appeared to be in a difficult situation, Scott was able to push investigators to determine the sobriety test results as invalid, so the charges were dismissed.
A mother was seeking sole custody of her children following a divorce. The father refused to cooperate, leaving the client in a difficult situation as she felt as though her children didn’t have a voice. Scott recognized her need for an advocate and carefully listened to the children’s wishes, which conclusively helped the client achieve sole custody of her children and protected their best interests.
A client from Fulton was accused of drug possession as a result of a home search. While drug charges may potentially be filed as a Class C felony involving severe consequences, Scott was able to help the client receive a reduced sentence. Ultimately, the client faced significantly smaller penalties compared to the initial charges.
Scott assisted a defendant in a particularly challenging divorce case in which the other spouse was not cooperating. Scott was able to help the client avoid court through an aggressive legal approach to resolve all outstanding disagreements while maintaining the client’s long-term needs.
One client sought legal assistance after an altercation with another individual in Jefferson City. The client was arrested on assault charges despite allegedly not starting the fight. Since an arrest can lead to life-altering penalties such as being terminated from employment and serving jail time, Scott was able to build a solid legal defense in the client’s favor and argued in favor of the client’s innocence.
A grandparent sought visitation rights to his grandchild after the parent tried to block him. Scott takes grandparents’ rights very seriously, and so he devised a strategy to help the grandparent set a visitation schedule. Scott developed a strategy to show that the child’s best interests were fulfilled through the grandparent’s ability to visit the child, helping push the case towards a resolution in the client’s favor.
Scott assisted a client who was injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence. The defendant claimed that the opposing party using their phone at the time of the crash, and Scott emphasized this claim to show that the other driver was at fault for the client’s injuries. The case concluded with the client receiving the necessary compensation for medical bills following a long hospital stay due to injuries.
I cannot recommend Scott Hamblin highly enough. Although my custody case has been ongoing for over 15 years, Scott has only been involved for the last two. In that short amount of time, he took the initiative to thoroughly study the extensive history of my extremely difficult and complex case, identifying the most important details,…
I came to Mr. Hamblin with a very difficult case. Prior to discovering him, I had tried to contact other attorneys who would not return my calls. Mr. Hamblin willingly agreed to represent me. He was straightforward with me, assuring me that he would work toward the best outcome possible. Whenever I contacted his office…
I cannot say enough good things about Scott Hamblin and his team. From the beginning, Scott was extremely organized, thorough, and realistic. He was always honest with me about my options and what to expect, and he never made promises he couldn't guarantee. At the same time, he was confident, strategic, and fully prepared. Going…
If you are looking for an attorney who always strives to win, Scott is your number one choice. He is here for you and is there to win the case. I believe he has the best of intentions to do the job he is hired for every time. Best of all, he takes pride in…
Going to court is, without a doubt, the scariest and my stressful thing that I have ever done. All the legalities and unknowns are all you can think about, and having a good attorney to ease some of those worries is essential. From the first day we met Mr. Hamblin, he has been kind, understanding,…
This is where I found myself about a year ago – reading Scott Hamblin’s Google reviews and wondering who I should turn to for help. My ex-wife (a former family law attorney) was trying to relocate our two children out of state. I’m not an attorney. I didn’t yet live in Cole County. I read…
When first starting out I wasn't sure who could handle my situation I was in I did some research on Google and found Scott Hamblin and read the reviews I ended up hiring Scott Hamblin and I was in a situation where the Mom was making really bad allegations and alienating me from my Child…
Attorney Hamblin is extremely professional, kind, and caring. We hired him for a family law case. We won!! He was prepared for the case and did an excellent job. I would highly recommend him. I trust him so much that I’m planning to have him help us with our will next. I deeply appreciate how…
I was going through a contested divorce case and custody battle. When I hired Scott I felt my world was crashing around me. Scott jumped in and handled the case very professionally and to the point. He argued the facts and made sure that my rights was not violated. I am happy to report that…
I hired Scott in the middle of my 2 yearlong custody modification case. After discussing with Scott about how I felt I did not have an aggressive enough lawyer with my first lawyer for the case, I was fighting against ex-husband, Scott gladly took the case. Scott and Madysn were extremely responsive with questions that…
Scott was knowledgeable and efficient, expertly guiding us through the process. He took the time to explain every step clearly and made sure we felt informed and confident in our decisions. Beyond his professionalism and attention to detail, Scott was also incredibly kind and personable, which made working with him a genuinely positive experience. His…
Scott and his office were so helpful, thorough and professional during a very adversarial divorce. He offers good solid advice. He does not pursue options which will more than likely not yield a good result ( unless the client insists). He strives to give his clients the best results for their money. He's personable but…
Mr. Hamblin is one of the best attorneys we have ever had the privilege to use. He is courteous and to the point. I would recommend him to anyone and we will continue to use his services.
Scott Hamblin is simply put - the best! Scott deserves 10 stars! He has all the qualities a person could ask for with legal representation and more. I even had a lawyer from another county tell me, Mr. Hamblin is an excellent lawyer. That remark alone told me how respected he is, by his peers.…
Scott Hamblin is the best lawyer that I have ever met. He really cares about his clients and does not sugar coat anything. He works very hard to help his clients, and knows the law very well, and he will work with you on your tab if he can. The staff there is very helpful…
I am very pleased with Mr. Hamblin. I needed an attorney for my custody case and I did not know who to use. I found Mr. Hamblin on the internet. All the reviews I read and now my experiences with him and his team are spot on. I was being denied reasonable time with my…
Finding an attorney is not easy, and in my case I was in a child custody modification that was being dragged out and messy. This went on for a full 3.5 years. I had other representation at the time that I didn’t feel was doing what was best for me and my kids. I reached…
My divorce was with a difficult person, Mr.Hamblin handled every aspect of the divorce, professionally and quickly, his experience and knowledge was extremely helpful. thank you, Mr.Hamblin for your support.
Scott will forever be regarded by myself as the best divorce lawyer in Jefferson City bar none. His service, expertise, knowledge and dedication to all of his clients is top notch. I hope that no one ever finds themselves in a position of his services, but if you do, you cannot make a wrong choice…
I originally hired a family attorney in Columbia, who said he would fight to keep my rights with my young daughter. After a month, this Columbia attorney stated that I should just settle and do 50/50 custody with my daughter's biological father. I was not satisfied with this response so I hired Scott Hamblin instead.…
Scott was honest, he was straightforward, and the best of all he was good at what he does. He's very knowledgeable and practices his craft well. I had a 10/10 experience with Scott and will trust no other attorney to handle my case.
Scott Hamblin is a great attorney. Between Scott and his legal assistant Madasyn, I felt like all my questions were answered promptly and thoroughly. Scott is very knowledgeable and was very well prepared for trial. I would recommend Scott to anyone needing an attorney.
Can't say enough good things about Mr. Hamblin and his team. They're responsive, treat your case like it's their own, and are personable as can be. Court can be daunting, but they are there to help you through every step of the tough process. Madasyn is part of this team and deserves to be recognized…
10/10 recommend Mr. Scott Hamblin. Mr. Hamblin and his legal assistant Madasyn have been wonderful throughout my whole case and very prompt, and helpful the whole time. He was very thorough and left nothing missed during my whole case. Questions were answered quickly throughout the process whether through email, phone or in person. As well…
Scott recently provided outstanding representation for my divorce. He was well-prepared throughout the course of the litigation and trial, resulting in a very favorable outcome for me. Scott is a very bright attorney who takes pride in his work, and it shows. He is truly in a league of his own.
For accessible and experienced representation, contact attorney Scott Hamblin today.
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