Venker v. Director of Revenue
Venker v. Director of Revenue
Opinion of the Court
Director of Revenue (“Director”) appeals the judgment of the Circuit Court of St. Louis County reinstating Andrew E. Venker’s (“Driver”) driving privileges under the “zero tolerance” law. The trial court found notice to Driver was insufficient and, therefore, fatally defective. We reverse and remand.
Driver was stopped for speeding on November 11, 2000. Driver was 17 at the time of the stop. Officer Wandless noted a strong smell of alcohol on Driver’s breath. The officer performed four field sobriety tests: the alphabet test, the one-leg stand, the walk-and-turn, and gaze nystagmus. Driver failed the walk-and-turn, the one-leg stand, and the gaze nystagmus tests. Driver was transported to the Glendale Police Department. Driver consented to a breath test which yielded results of .029% blood alcohol level. Driver signed Missouri Department of Revenue form “Notice of Suspension/Revocation of Your Driving Privilege” while he was in custody. Director’s sole point on appeal asserts the trial court erred in holding that the notice to driver was insufficient.
Our review of the trial court’s judgment is governed by Murphy v. Carron, 536 S.W.2d 30 (Mo. banc 1976). Therefore, we must affirm the judgment unless there is no substantial evidence to support it, it is against the weight of the evidence, or it erroneously declares or applies the law. Id. at 32. However, we are not required to defer to the trial court’s findings when the evidence is uncontroverted and the case is virtually one of admitting the facts or when the evidence is not in conflict. Pendergrass v. Director of Revenue, 4 S.W.3d 599, 601 (Mo.App. 1999).
The pertinent statute in this case is section 302.520(2) RSMo 2000
. Unless otherwise specified, all statutory references are the RSMo 2000.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.