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Souder Forest Tate
About Souder
Biography
I defend criminal cases in Greene County and the surrounding counties of Lawrence, Christian, Taney, Stone, Webster, Polk, Barry, Douglas, Wright, Dade, and Texas.
I handle felony and misdemeanor drug cases, DWI & DUI, burglary, stealing and other property crimes, probation violations, and traffic tickets. I also help clients receive limited driving privileges, license reinstatements, and expungements.
I have a great deal of training and experience in sentencing mitigation and treatment courts. Approximately 25% of my practice involves preparing private pre-sentence investigations and sentencing mitigation reports for other attorneys. I serve on area drug courts for over eight years, and I have spoken at numerous drug court and addiction treatment conferences. I know how to help my clients get the best possible outcome in their cases.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Missouri for 40 years
State: Missouri
Acquired: 1985
No misconduct found
Location
Souder Tate Law
2814 E Sunshine St., Suite A, Springfield, MO, 65804-2049
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Souder Forest Tate's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
10 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 6 - 10 of 10 reviews
Posted by Ron | January 24, 2015 | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
A professional practice
I retained Souder Tate Law LLC. to represent me in a traffic case. I couldn't be happier with the representation that I received. Mr. Tate is very knowledgeable in the workings of the Missouri Court system and the law. I received the outcome that I was looking for. This was due primarily to the h...
Posted by anonymous | September 10, 2014 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Stone-Cold Professional
Souder Tate is just a supremely professional attorney. He gave me honest answers to tough questions. He believed in me and listened to my concerns. He knows the law and the judicial system and works very hard to achieve the best possible outcome. His expert counsel helped me resolve my issue and bro...
Posted by anonymous | July 07, 2014 | DUI & DWI
Best Attorney in SW Missouri
Souder Tate far exceeded my expectations as an Attorney who not only cared but got better results than I had ever hoped for. He came recommended to me by a friend and after doing some exhaustive research on many Attorney's in the SW MO. area, we decided to give him a try. My Brother is a diabetic &...
Posted by James | July 01, 2013 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Best lawyer in the area!
Sauder is an honest lawyer he was always upfront and honest with me he did an excellent job defending me. Even though I don't foresee anymore problems with the law he would be the only lawyer I would consider if I did. My advise to anybody considering him to defend the would be to do so!
Posted by D | June 25, 2013 | Car Accidents
Wonderful!
I got into my first car accident a few months ago, it was my fault and I received a ticket for failing to yield. Not a big deal for many people but as this was my first accident it caused me a good deal of stress, especially when I thought about having to appear in court. That stress all but vanished...
Souder Forest Tate's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Tate has been a steadfast rock in the recovery community for a long time. The desire to see his clients succeed in life is motivating and I seek to approach my practice with that same zeal."
"I have known Mr. Tate not only as a member of the bar, but as the go-to representative for a number of people that I worked with prior to my legal career. I had heard him recommended many times, for matters big and small. After working at the prosecuting attorney's office, I now know why. Mr. Tate advocates very well for his clients, and he has a gift for speaking to others that many lack. He is well-respected by everyone in the courtroom, from the judiciary to the opposing prosecutors. Further, I have reviewed many of the pre-sentence investigations that he has prepared, and they are absolutely top-notch work. He is a gift to the legal community, and someone that I'm glad to know."
"I endorse this lawyer. Souder is not only one of the most intelligent attorneys in the area, but one of the most caring. This combination of skills ensures anyone who retains Souder is in good hands."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Souder is widely respected by the local courts as a lawyer who can present his clients most positive attributes in often difficult times. There is never any doubt that Souder has taken the time to get to know his clients on a personal level and truly cares about their welfare. You can not go wrong with having Souder on your side in the court room."
"I have known Souder Tate for nearly 15 years and I am consistently impressed with the devotion and care he extends to his clients. He always gives a superior effort on behalf of his clients. He is especially impressive when constructing sentencing arguments as he conducts his own investigations and prepares highly detailed sentencing packets for the judge. I strongly recommend Souder Tate."
"I use Souder's Pre-Sentence Investigation Services in all of my contested DWI sentencings. He does a great job presenting unbiased facts and findings that courts seem to respect."
"I endorse Souder. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"Souder is a highly respected attorney in the area who is very active in the Missouri Speciality Courts which include Drug Court, DWI Court and other such courts. He is a strong advocate for his clients and truly cares about them. When Souder represents an individual, he handles the criminal case and also makes sure that they are set up for future success. I strongly endorse Souder Tate."
"Souder is a very compassionate advocate for his clients. I would recommend him to anyone in need of criminal defense representation without hesitation."
"This attorney really does care. I know that it sounds cliche, but it is simply true. If I had to narrow it down about what Souder is really about, I have to say that he cares about each of his clients unlike anything we see in the profession these days. Sure, he is knowledgeable and experienced and gets great results, but my hunch is that he forms bonds with his clients that really help him get to the root of the issue he is dealing with and then helps them get through it. I highly endorse this attorney."
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Experience
Honors
2008
Certificate of Appreciation for Six Years of Service, City of Springfield - Mayor's Commission on Human Rights
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Training Faculty, National Drug Court Institute
2012 - Present
Defense Representative, Greene County Treatment Court
2010 - Present
Owner, EPIC Sentencing Solutions LLC
2009 - Present
Defense Representative, Christian County Treatment Court
1986 - Present
Attorney, Souder Tate Law
1987 - 1990
Prosecuting Attorney, Douglas County, Missouri
Associations
2020 - Present
National Drug Court Resource CenterAdvisory Board
2019 - Present
National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation SpecialistsMember
2012 - Present
Missouri Association of Treatment Court ProfessionalsMember
1985 - Present
Missouri State Bar AssociationMember
2012 - 2018
Missouri Association of Treatment Court ProfessionalsAdvisory Board
2012 - 2019
Missouri Continuing Education ConsortiumBoard Member
2012 - 2013
Mayor's Commission for ChildrenCommissioner
2010 - 2011
National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation SpecialistsMember
2002 - 2008
Mayor's Commission on Human RightsCommissioner
Sample of Legal Cases
Felony Vehicular Assault involving Alcohol
Judge suspended imposition of sentence and placed client in treatment court. Community service by no shock jail time. Client was able to avoid loss of driving privileges.
First Degree Burglary - No Conviction
Client received a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) and received drug court.
Felony Drug Charges Dismissed with Deferred Prosecution
Case dismissed pursuant to a deferred prosecution agreement upon client's proof that she completed a substance abuse evaluation and community service.
Possession with Intent to Distribute Synthetic Marijuana
Class B Felony reduced to misdemeanor.
DWI, repeat offender
Case dismissed
Felony UUW Dismissed
Dismissed at Preliminary Hearing
Education
2019
OSCA
RANT (Risk and Needs Triage) Assessor Training
2018
Global Institute of Forensic Research
Level of Service/Case Management Inventory Certification
2015
The Pan American Health Organization
AUDIT-SBI Virtual Course Participation Certificate
2011
TASSI, Inc.
Certification to Administer & Score the SASSI (Substance Abuse)
2011
TASSI, Inc.
Training Certification for Clinical Interpretation of the SASSI
1985
University of Missouri School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1982
Missouri State University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2021
2021 Missouri Association of Treatment Court Professionals Annual Conference
Criminal Defense Attorneys serving on a Treatment Court Team
2018
2018 Missouri Association of Treatment Court Professionals Annual Conference
The EPIC Way: Your Destiny Re-Imagined
2017
Operational Tune-up - Pocatello ID
Being a Legal Eagle: Confidentiality, Ethics and Constitutional Requirements
2017
Operational Tune-up - Hillsdale MI
Behavior Modification 101: Incentives, Sanctions, and Treatment Responses
2017
Operational Tune-up - Hillsdale MI
Phases and Court Requirements
2017
Operational Tune-up - Hillsdale MI
Multidisciplinary Teams
2017
Operational Tune-up - Hillsdale MI
Identifying the Drug Court Population
2017
MATCP 2017 Annual Conference
Incentives, Sanctions, and Therapeutic Adjustments
2017
MATCP 2017 Annual Conference
Zealous Advocacy and the Ten Key Components
2017
Coffee & Core Concepts
Handling Criminal Matters in Specialty Courts
2016
NDCI Operational Tune-up for Prosecutors and Defense Counsel
Confidentiality and Ethics
2016
Missouri Association of Treatment Court Professionals
Living the Good Life: Virtue Ethics, Human Flourishing and Motivation to Change
2016
Adult Drug Court Planning Initiative
Facilitator at Breakout Sessions
2015
The Power of Story - MOCEC
The Power of Story to Motivate Change
2015
NADCP 21st Annual Training Conference
The Critical Role of the Team: Best Practices
2015
NADCP 21st Annual Training Conference
Breakout Session - Defense Attorneys
2015
17th Annual Conference - Missouri Association of Drug Court Professionals
The Power of Story to Motivate Change: Reading, Writing & Responsivity
2015
17th Annual Conference - Missouri Association of Drug Court Professionals
Due Process and Constitutional Issues for Problem-Solving Courts
2014
Technology and Treatment - MOCEC
Ethical Use of Technology for Treatment Providers
2014
16th Annual Conference - Missouri Association of Drug Court Professionals
Legal Ethics for Judges and Lawyers in Drug Court
2014
"Diverse Approaches to Spirituality in Treatment"
Panelist on Spirituality and Treatment
2013
15th Annual Conference - Missouri Association of Drug Court Professionals
Issues for Criminal Defense Attorneys in Drug Courts
Publications
2015
www.soudertatelaw.com
The Power of Story to Motivate Change: Reading, Writing & Responsivity
2014
www.soudertatelaw.com
Tolkien, Treatment and Technology
2014
www.soudertatelaw.com
Defense Attorneys on a Drug Court Team
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Do I need to hire an attorney for municipal court?
27 Jun 2015
Q&A
Was denied a public defender on a dui case. the dui case cost me my job.
03 Feb 2015
Q&A
Charged with theft/stealing a controlled substance, 3 vicodin, from coworker while at work.
04 Feb 2015