Dustin J. Hefley Missouri Cases

Dustin J. Hefley appealed the denial of his Rule 24.035 motion for postconviction relief after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated. He contended his plea counsel was ineffective for misinforming him about his eligibility for a long-term treatment program, for which he was statutorily ineligible as a habitual offender. The Missouri Supreme Court reversed the postconviction court's judgment, finding its conclusions were clearly erroneous. The Court held that plea counsel's affirmative misrepresentation rendered Hefley's guilty plea involuntary and that Hefley demonstrated prejudice.