Carthage man charged with DWI for sixth time

A Carthage man with three DWI convictions and five DWI arrests, was charged for sixth time after he was arrested by the Carthage Police Department Tuesday,

An arrest warrant was issued today for James Matthew Hancock (DOB 1983) with bond set at $5,000 cash or surety.

From the probable cause statement:

The facts supporting this belief are as follows: On 10/28/2025 at approximately 1252 I, Cpl. Snow, conducted a traffic stop in the Mazoo Liqour, 119 N. Baker, on a tan 2004 Ford Taurus MO LP#EK4T4J for fail to signal as it turned into the parking lot from Baker.

When getting the driver’s, James Hancock, phone out of the vehicle for him, I smelled a strong odor of alcohol in the vehicle. I also observed an empty clear vodka bottle on top of other items in the front passenger floorboard. I asked if Hancock had anything to drink today due to the vehicle having a strong odor of alcohol. Hancock nodded his head yes. I asked him how much and he said enough. 

Hancock told his wife, who he was on the phone with, that I was confronting him and that I knew. While standing under the awning and speaking with Hancock from a few feet away, I could smell a moderate odor of alcohol emanating from his person.

I told Hancock I wanted to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety Tests on him and he agreed to do them, but advised he was not going to pass.

The first test I conducted was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus. I told Hancock to get in the starting position with his feet together and his hands down to his sides. I explained the test I would be conducting and what he should do during the test. Hancock advised he understood my instructions. Hancock then said he would not pass it though. 

During the test Hancock had a difficult time keeping his head still and following the tip of my finger with his eyes. During the tests I observed lack of smooth pursuit and onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both of Hancock's eyes. This was a total of 4 clues

Hancock could/would not follow my finger well enough for me to observe distinct sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation.

The next test I attempted to conduct was the Walk and Turn. I asked if Hancock could imagine a straight line in front of him and he said no. I told Hancock to get into the starting position with his right foot in front of his left in a line and his hands down to his sides. Hancock said he could not do it. Hancock ultimately decided to try and perform the test. 

I instructed Hancock to get into the starting position with his right foot in front of his left in a line and his hands down to his sides again. Hancock lost his balance multiple times having to catch himself with the wall next to him one of the times.

Hancock exited the starting position, apologizing and advising he could not do it.

Ptl. Haddock conducted the interview portion of the Alcohol Influence Report.

Questions/Answers:

What were you doing during the last 3 hour prior to contact with law enforcement? Trying not to detox/be sober.

Were you operating the vehicle at the time of the stop? Yes.

Have you been drinking? Yes.

What were you drinking? Vodka.

Time started? Didn't even stop.

How much? A few shots.

Where? Home.

Are you under the influence of an alcoholic beverage? No.

Have you used marijuana or any other drug, legal or illegal, in the last 72 hours?

Yes.

When? Yesterday.

Where? Home.

How much? 1 gram.

What? Marijuana.

Hancock has a total of 4 active actions against his license. The most recent is a chemical revocation effective on 03/09/2025 with an eligibility date of 03/09/2026.

Hancock has been convicted of DWI charges 3 times and charged with DWI 5 times according to his criminal history. This is his 6th charge for DWI.