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Steve Schanker, Attorney at Law Steve Schanker, Attorney at Law
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Driver's License Hearings

Aggressively Defending Clients for Over 25 Years

Kansas City Driver's License Hearings

Understanding Hardship Licenses in Missouri

Having an experienced Kansas City DUI attorney represent you at the hearing allows your rights to be properly defended and increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome. Your attorney can examine the circumstances under which you were stopped for suspicion of DWI and review whether or not the police officer did, in fact, have due cause for his or her actions.

Requesting a Hearing After License Suspension: Key Timeframes

When you blow over the legal limit or you refuse to blow, the police officer takes your driver's license and issues you a 14-day permit in Kansas or a 15-day permit in Missouri with instructions on how to apply for a hearing. You must request a hearing within the 14 or 15-day period or your license will automatically be suspended or revoked. A timely request for a hearing will automatically extend your permit until the case is over.

If your license is in danger of being suspended, contact a Kansas City DUI lawyer to help you fight for justice at your hearing.

Will I Regain My License After the Hearing?

The issues at the hearing include whether the police had reasonable grounds to arrest you for DUI and whether you either tested above the legal limit or refused the test. If you win, you get your license back. If you lose, your license will be suspended or revoked.

Suspension periods for breath test failures range from 30 days to one year, while revocations for breath test refusals are for one year. Both suspensions and revocations may be followed by a period of ignition interlock lasting from months to years.

Steps to Obtain a Hardship License in Missouri

You may be eligible to receive a hardship license, also referred to as "Limited Driving Privileges," after 30 days to drive to work, school, medical care and alcohol classes. You may also be eligible for an "immediate ignition interlock restriction" without waiting 30 days, for the additional purpose of groceries, child care, child visitation, church, bank, etc.

How to Secure a Hardship License in Kansas

You may be eligible for an ignition-interlock restricted driving privilege during the suspension followed by an additional interlock period as a condition of reinstatement.

Eligibility Criteria for Hardship Licenses in Missouri

You may be ineligible for an LDP (limited driving privilege) due to some of the following reasons:

  • MO driving privilege is eligible to be reinstated, but not all requirements have been met
  • In the last 5 years, you have faced a felony conviction involving a vehicle
  • Your commercial vehicle driving privileges have been revoked
  • You have a suspension due to failure to pay a ticket
  • You have a license suspension due to DUI conviction
  • You are not a Missouri resident and do not attend school in MO

How a Kansas City DUI Attorney Can Assist Your Hearing

Our Kansas City DUI Attorneys can analyze all aspects of your breath and blood tests and any field sobriety tests to determine if they were correctly administered and interpreted. These factors can all be addressed in the hearing in fighting for your right to retain your driving privileges.

How Can We Help?

  • Recently Arrested?
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  • Know Your Next Steps
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Client testimonials

Strongly Recommended. Strongly Trusted.
  • "Exceptional service"
    Mr. Schanker provides exceptional service at a competitive price. He always makes your options clear such that you can make an informed decision. I highly recommenced his services.
    - HAI
    COLUMBIA, MO
  • "Excellent Lawyer!"
    I'm so glad I chose Mr.Schanker as my lawyer to fight the DWI case in MO. He informed me all about the case laws/scenarios and gave very practical recommendations to follow. Careful listener who never understated the issue but navigated me through due process ultimately finding a way to plead down to a much lesser charge! Very reasonably priced and experienced....highly recommended. Good Luck!
    - Raj
    Kansas City, KS
  • "When your back is against the wall legally, call STEVE SCHANKER!!!!"
    Steve Schanker ESQ, where do I begin? Having been raised by a prominent Trial Attorney and having several other family members as attorneys, as well as having attended Law School myself, however choosing management as my career instead of the law, I believe I have a great body of knowledge of how to determine a great lawyer. Steve has defended me in two different extremely challenging situations. The first time I met Steve was in an extremely stressful DUI situation. I had spoken with a number of attorneys about my situation and most did not want to take the case on. I had a BAC of .14 and was pulled over driving 102mph on highway 70. Steve told me it was not a wise decision, however he also said he could help me. End result was not losing my license, a few hours of community service, and a Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS) which equates to not being convicted. Incredible result that I probably did not deserve which effectively saved my career! The second time I hired Steve was an even better result. I had just purchased a new car, and stupidly decided to see what it could do. I was taken out of my car after driving near 100mph in a 60mph stretch of road again, stupid ...I know, I was cuffed on the side of the road thinking I had really screwed myself this time around. However, I then called Steve and gave him the laundry list of charges including evading a police officer, road rage, the speeding etc....5 charges in all. What did Steve accomplish in my defense you may ask? He had 3 of the 5 charges dismissed entirely and two reduced to defective muffler status. 0 points, 0 moving violations......INCREDIBLE! If you ever have a legal need in any area that Steve specializes in you would be wise to hire Steve. Simply put he gets results! I wrote earlier my life experience helps me determine greatness in Attorneys, however that word doesn't describe Steve as a lawyer correctly....Simply put..... he is the BEST at what he does. I can't thank you enough Steve! JP
    - John P
    Leawood, KS
  • "He exceeded my expectations"
    I didn't think I could afford a great dwi lawyer. But I was happily surprised. Mr. Schanker charged a fair price, and more importantly he gave me a very good defense. He exceeded my expectations. Thank you.
    - King