Being arrested for DUI in the Kansas City metro can put your driver’s license at risk fast. What many people don’t realize is that a DUI triggers two separate processes: the criminal case in court and an administrative case that can suspend your driving privileges. A skilled DUI lawyer can act quickly on both fronts to help you keep your license and reduce penalties in Kansas and Missouri.
At Divine Law Office, we bring our extensive experience and expertise to represent clients throughout the Kansas City metro area, in both Kansas and Missouri. Our priority is to move fast, protect your rights, and preserve your ability to drive whenever possible. We are well-versed in the deadlines, hearing procedures, and defenses that matter most.
The Administrative Side: Hearings & Deadlines
After a DUI arrest, your license can be suspended through an administrative process—even before your criminal case is resolved. Timelines are short, and missing them can mean automatic suspension:
- Kansas: After receiving the DC-27 (Notice of Suspension/Temporary License), drivers generally have 14 days to request an administrative hearing with the Kansas Department of Revenue. See KDOR’s overview of Administrative Hearings for process information.
- Missouri: If you receive Missouri’s Form DOR-2385 (Notice of Suspension/Revocation), you have 15 days to request an administrative hearing. See the Missouri DOR page on DWI: Revocation & Reinstatement and the official Form 2385.
- Act fast: If you do not request a hearing on time, your license may be automatically suspended, and your options shrink dramatically.
Because these deadlines come quickly, contacting a DUI lawyer immediately can be the difference between keeping your license and losing it.
How a DUI Lawyer Helps Protect Your License
An experienced trial lawyer handles both the civil (administrative) and criminal sides at once, building a unified defense strategy. For the administrative case, your attorney can:
- File timely hearing requests: Preserve your right to contest the suspension and avoid automatic loss of driving privileges.
- Challenge testing evidence: Question breath or blood test procedures, calibration, maintenance, and protocol compliance.
- Cross-examine officers: Address inconsistencies in reports or observations that impact probable cause or test admissibility.
- Pursue limited/restricted privileges: Where available, seek limited licenses so you can drive to work, school, or medical appointments.
On the criminal side, your lawyer works to suppress unreliable evidence, negotiate charge reductions, or pursue dismissals where appropriate, keeping the overall strategy aligned with protecting your license.
What to Do Right After a DUI Arrest
Early action is critical. Deadlines for administrative hearings are short, and evidence (such as video) can be lost if not requested promptly. For practical next steps after an arrest, see our related article on if you’re facing a DUI charge in Kansas City. Acting quickly gives your attorney time to request hearings, gather records, and challenge the state’s case.
Defending Both the Criminal & Administrative Cases
A strong defense addresses probable cause for the stop, field sobriety testing conditions, breathalyzer or blood test procedures, and whether statutory protocols were followed. Issues uncovered in one forum can support your defense in the other. Coordinating both cases helps protect your record, reduce penalties, and preserve your driving privileges.
Our team at Divine Law Office is committed to handling cases in both Kansas and Missouri courts and administrative agencies, ensuring your rights are protected on every front from day one.
Why Choose Divine Law Office
At Divine Law Office, we move fast to preserve your license and defend your case. We are familiar with the DC-27 process in Kansas and Missouri’s DOR procedures, and we know how to leverage deadlines, discovery, and evidentiary challenges to your advantage. We keep you informed, clearly explain your options, and fight for the best possible outcome in both criminal and administrative matters.
We also offer a free consultation so that you can understand your options right away—no obligation. We’ll review your situation, outline hearing deadlines, and discuss strategies to protect your license and your future.
Get the Defense You Deserve
If you’re facing a DUI in the Kansas City metro area, don’t wait. Administrative deadlines arrive quickly, and missing them can cost you your license. Contact us today for your free consultation. Let us get to work immediately to protect your driving privileges and build a strong defense in both Kansas and Missouri.