Souder Forest Tate

Souder Forest Tate

5.0
Rating: 9.2

Licensed for 40 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Springfield, MO
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Drug Crime

2814 E Sunshine St., Suite A, Springfield, MO

About Souder

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

A large majority of the criminal cases I defend deal directly or indirectly with substance abuse, alcohol abuse or mental health issues. The focus of my practice is on sentencing mitigation, probation violations and treatment court issues.

37 years

40%
DUI and DWI 30%

I represent clients charged with misdemeanor and felony DWI and DUI. I also help clients get limited driving privileges and driver license reinstatement.

37 years

30%
Drug Crime 30%

I defend clients charged with misdemeanor and felony drug charges such as possession, possession with intent to distribute, sale or distribution, and trafficking.

30%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Missouri for 40 years

State: Missouri

Acquired: 1985

Good Standing, Active

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

5.0 /5.0

10 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (10) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Staff & Support

Posted by anonymous | May 08, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Administrative Law

Got my drivers license reinstated when no one else could

Souder Tate was referred to me by a friend in Recovery. He was very professional and prompt with his Legal Services. He helped me obtain my license when no one else could. I would recommend Souder Tate to anyone who is needing legal advice or consultation and getting help with fighting a case of thei...r innocence or to get something as simple as a license reinstated. I consulted several attorneys, hired attorneys, and no one was able to give me my license until I met Souder Tate. I'm so thankful for his services. His assistant Rachel was very very helpful and helping me get paperwork and necessary documents I needed to have sent in. I give his entire legal team and his office a big thumbs up!!!!

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...ard work of Mr. Tate and his assistant Rachel. Mr. Tate runs a professional practice that is also very friendly and accommodating. Mr. Tate is well respected in the Springfield area. The fees were very reasonable. I would not hesitate to use Mr. Tate in the future if the need arises.

See All Client Reviews

Souder Forest Tate's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Souder
Benjamin Arens McBride headshot
Benjamin McBride

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Justin Michael Evans headshot
Justin Evans

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 26

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"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."

Branden Scott Twibell headshot
Branden Twibell

DUI and DWI lawyer | Feb 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Mathew T. Jett headshot
Mathew Jett

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Joseph W. Flees II headshot
Joseph Flees

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

David King Back headshot
David Back

Domestic violence lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

David A. Healy headshot
David Healy

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

John David Kail headshot
John Kail

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 11

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

William Oris Worsham headshot
William Worsham

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jun 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Souder. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Russell Phillip Dempsey headshot
Russell Dempsey

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 18

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"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."

Matthew Byron Owen headshot
Matthew Owen

DUI and DWI lawyer | Oct 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Souder is a very compassionate advocate for his clients. I would recommend him to anyone in need of criminal defense representation without hesitation."

Matthew Allen Russell headshot
Matthew Russell

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

View All Endorsements
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Benjamin McBride

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Branden Twibell

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Experience

Rating:  9.2 (Superb)

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 Center

Advisory Board

2019 - Present

National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation Specialists

Member

2012 - Present

Missouri Association of Treatment Court Professionals

Member

1985 - Present

Missouri State Bar Association

Member

2012 - 2018

Missouri Association of Treatment Court Professionals

Advisory Board

2012 - 2019

Missouri Continuing Education Consortium

Board Member

2012 - 2013

Mayor's Commission for Children

Commissioner

2010 - 2011

National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation Specialists

Member

2002 - 2008

Mayor's Commission on Human Rights

Commissioner

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

See More Legal Cases

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

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

Languages

English

Activity

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