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Criminal charges and traffic violations carry consequences that reach far beyond fines and court dates. A conviction can affect your job prospects, professional licenses, child custody arrangements, firearm rights, and insurance rates. In Missouri, even minor violations can accumulate points that lead to license suspension.
Whether you’re facing a speeding ticket, DWI charge, or serious felony offense, you don’t have to navigate the criminal justice system alone. Our Moberly legal team provides aggressive defense across all criminal and traffic matters in Randolph County, Boone County, and throughout Central Missouri.
Personal injury law aims to provide relief to individuals who have suffered harm. This harm can arise from various incidents, including accidents, medical malpractice, or even wrongful death. If someone else’s actions cause your injury, you may be entitled to compensation.
Missouri DWI charges carry serious consequences: mandatory license suspension, substantial fines, possible jail time, and a permanent criminal record. The penalties escalate sharply with each subsequent offense or if aggravating factors are present.
We challenge every aspect of DWI cases:
Our attorneys also handle Department of Revenue administrative hearings to protect your driving privileges. In Missouri, you have only 15 days from arrest to request a hearing, so immediate action is critical.
Missouri’s point system means that even “minor” traffic tickets can add up quickly. Accumulate 8 points in 18 months, and you face license suspension. For CDL holders, the stakes are even higher: professional driving careers can end with a single serious violation.
We defend against:
In many cases, we can negotiate reduced charges that carry fewer or no points, protecting your driving record and insurance rates.
Driving on a suspended or revoked license (DWS/DWR) is a serious offense in Missouri. Depending on the reason for suspension, penalties can include extended suspension periods, substantial fines, and jail time. These cases often carry higher margins for negotiation than clients expect, and we have strong relationships with the Department of Revenue that allow us to move quickly on reinstatement issues.
We work to:
Missouri recently enacted significant changes to penalties for fleeing law enforcement. Valentine’s Law, effective August 2024, creates the offense of “aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle” with substantially enhanced penalties:
Offense Level | Classification | Potential Penalty |
Aggravated fleeing (base offense) | Class D Felony | Up to 7 years; minimum 1 year before probation eligibility |
Fleeing resulting in injury | Class B Felony | 5-15 years |
Fleeing resulting in death | Class A Felony | 10-30 years or life |
What this means for you: Prosecutors are now charging fleeing offenses at higher felony levels than before this law took effect. However, these charges often look far more serious on paper than they need to be in practice. We regularly negotiate reductions to misdemeanor charges for clients facing these intimidating felony allegations when the circumstances support it.
Standard resisting arrest charges (not involving vehicle flight) remain a Class A misdemeanor unless you were resisting arrest for a felony, in which case it becomes a Class E felony.
Domestic violence charges and orders of protection can devastate your family relationships, housing situation, and employment. In Missouri, protective orders can prohibit firearm possession (though judges have discretion to make exceptions in certain circumstances, particularly for hunting) and significantly impact child custody arrangements.
Our attorneys handle:
Pet Protection in Missouri Orders: Many clients do not realize that Missouri law now allows courts to include pets in orders of protection. Under §455.045, a court can direct the care, custody, or control of any pet owned by either party and prohibit the respondent from harming or threatening the animal. If your pet’s safety is a concern, we can ensure this protection is included in your case.
We provide compassionate representation that protects your rights while respecting the sensitive nature of family matters.
A criminal record follows you everywhere: job applications, housing, professional licensing, and even volunteer opportunities. Missouri has one of the broadest expungement statutes in the country, and clearing your record may be more achievable than you think.
Missouri expungement eligibility includes:
Why clients pursue expungement:
Beyond the obvious benefits for employment and housing, we see clients pursue expungement for practical reasons they had not initially considered. International travel is a common one. Canada, for example, treats even a single DWI as grounds to deny entry. An expunged record can strengthen applications for Canadian Criminal Rehabilitation or Temporary Resident Permits. Others need clean records for custody matters, professional licensing, or firearm rights restoration.
The process is not automatic. You must petition the court, and eligibility depends on the specific offense, time elapsed, and whether you have other convictions. We handle the entire process and can evaluate whether your record qualifies.
Missouri prosecutes drug offenses aggressively, from simple possession to felony distribution charges. Penalties vary based on the substance type, quantity, and whether the offense occurred near schools or parks.
We defend clients facing:
Our defense strategies include challenging search and seizure legality, questioning evidence handling, and exploring diversion programs for eligible defendants.
Property crime charges range from misdemeanor shoplifting to felony burglary. The classification depends on property value, location, and circumstances. Conviction can result in imprisonment, restitution, and a criminal record that affects employment and housing.
Defense services include:
Our comprehensive criminal defense practice covers:
No matter the charge, we examine every detail, challenge weak evidence, and fight to protect your future. Contact our Criminal Defense Attorneys to request a legal consultation.
Call now to schedule your confidential, free consultation to discuss your criminal case.
At Gump, Faiella & Bugalski, we understand that every case is unique, and as such, we ensure a personalized approach to meet your individualized needs. Regardless of the classification of your charged offense, our team advocates aggressively for your reputation, your rights, and your freedom.
Beyond immediate penalties, criminal convictions create collateral consequences:
International Travel: Even minor convictions can bar entry to Canada and other countries.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, the stakes of any criminal charge increase substantially. Convictions that seem minor under Missouri law can trigger serious immigration consequences, including deportation, denial of naturalization, or inadmissibility if you travel outside the country.
The specific language of your charges matters. A conviction for one offense may have no immigration impact, while a nearly identical charge carries severe consequences. We work with clients and their immigration counsel to pursue charge reductions and plea agreements that minimize collateral damage to immigration status whenever possible. If you hold a green card, a visa, or are in the naturalization process, tell us immediately so we can factor this into your defense strategy.
Missouri’s Department of Revenue assigns points for moving violations. Point values can vary depending on whether the violation is charged under state law or municipal ordinance. Here is how quickly they accumulate:
Reach 8 points in 18 months: 30-day license suspension
Reach 12 points in 12 months: 1-year license revocation
We work to keep violations off your record entirely or reduce charges to non-point offenses.
We don’t just show up to court. We investigate:
Prosecutors in Randolph, Boone, and surrounding counties know our attorneys. We have working relationships built on professional respect and a track record of taking cases to trial when necessary. This credibility helps us negotiate favorable plea agreements when appropriate.
Insurance companies and prosecutors both know we prepare every case for trial. That preparation changes the negotiation dynamic. When they know we’re ready to fight, they’re more likely to offer reasonable resolutions.
If you face a DUI or DWI charge in Missouri, seek legal representation as soon as possible. DUI and DWI charges can result in serious penalties, like license suspension, heavy fines, and even jail time. You can trust the attorneys of Gump, Faiella & Bugalski to challenge evidence, question procedures, and work tirelessly to reduce or dismiss charges to protect your driving privileges.
Drivers without a license or under suspension can face fines, potential jail time, and an extended license suspension. The legal team at Gump, Faiella & Bugalski can assist by reviewing your case, ideating defense strategies, and negotiating for reduced penalties or dismissals where possible.
Drivers without a license or under suspension can face fines, potential jail time, and an extended license suspension. The legal team at Gump, Faiella & Bugalski can assist by reviewing your case, ideating defense strategies, and negotiating for reduced penalties or dismissals where possible.
Traffic warrants arise when someone fails to appear in court or address a traffic violation. Failure to do so can lead to arrest and other legal consequences. However, our attorneys can help resolve traffic warrants by addressing the underlying violation promptly, thus allowing you to avoid further penalties or arrests.
Criminal and traffic charges can result in severe consequences, like jail time, fines, and loss of driving privileges. Consulting a lawyer ensures you have an advocate who knows the law, can protect your rights, and works toward reducing or dismissing charges whenever possible.
Yes, a skilled criminal traffic attorney can often help reduce or dismiss charges against you, which can prevent additional points on your driving record. Accumulating too many points can lead to increased insurance rates and potential license suspension. At Gump, Faiella & Bugalski, our lawyers understand Missouri’s point system and can negotiate outcomes that protect your record.
Not necessarily. Even minor tickets add points to your record, increase insurance rates, and can lead to license suspension. An attorney can often negotiate reduced charges that carry fewer consequences.
The court will likely issue a warrant for your arrest. Missouri takes failure to appear seriously. If you’ve missed a court date, contact us immediately. We can often resolve the warrant without you being arrested.
Missouri allows expungement of certain DWI offenses after a 10-year waiting period, provided you meet eligibility requirements, including no subsequent alcohol-related offenses. We handle expungement petitions for qualified individuals.
Yes. Missouri’s expungement statute covers most misdemeanors and many felonies. Waiting periods range from 1 to 7 years, depending on the offense classification. Some offenses, such as certain violent crimes and sex offenses, are not eligible. We can evaluate your record and advise whether expungement is an option.
It varies. Simple traffic cases may resolve in weeks. Complex felony cases can take months or over a year. We keep you informed at every stage and move your case as efficiently as possible.
In Missouri:
Felonies have more serious long-term consequences, including loss of voting rights and firearm possession.
It depends on the charge. Many first-time misdemeanor offenders receive probation, fines, or suspended sentences. Serious felonies or offenses involving violence may result in incarceration even for first-time offenders. We work to minimize or avoid jail time whenever possible.
Yes. Missouri law allows courts to include pets in orders of protection. The order can grant you possession of the animal and prohibit the other party from harming, threatening, or coming near the pet. If this is a concern in your situation, let us know so we can ensure proper protections are in place.
Have more questions about criminal and traffic offenses in Missouri? Request a legal consultation with one of our Criminal Defense Attorneys today.
Our Moberly office represents clients throughout Central Missouri, including:
We appear regularly in municipal, associate circuit, and circuit courts across the region.
Criminal and traffic charges won’t resolve themselves. The sooner you have an attorney protecting your rights, the better your chances of a favorable outcome.
Experienced representation. Aggressive defense.
Complete our contact form to speak with a Moberly criminal defense attorney today.
Gump, Faiella & Bugalski, LLC 110 North Fifth Street Moberly, MO 65270
Phone: 660-260-2322
Toll Free: 888-262-2718
The information on this page is for general information purposes only. Nothing here should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
