Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District / May 12, 2020
Eric Branson, Respondent, vs. Director of Revenue, State of Missouri, Appellant.
Eric Branson petitioned the circuit court to reinstate his driving privileges after a five-year revocation for driving while intoxicated. The Director of Revenue opposed, arguing Branson was ineligible due to a controlled substance conviction within the preceding five years, as per Section 302.060.1(10). The circuit court granted Branson's petition. The appellate court reversed, holding that Branson's guilty plea to possession of a controlled substance eleven days before filing his petition rendered him ineligible under the plain language of the statute, and the circuit court lacked authority to create exceptions.