Missouri DWI Implied Consent Law

Anyone who drives a vehicle upon the piblic highways of Missouri is considered to have given his/her consent to chemical tests of their blood, breath, saliva or urine in order to determine their blood alcohol content.  Under Missouri's implied consent law, refusal to submit to such a test will result in administrative penalities.

Once an officer requests you to submit to a chemical test, and you refuse, no test will be given.  The office must notify you of the consequences of refusing and that evidence of the refusal will be admissible against you in court. If you request to speak with an attorney, you will be given 20 minutes during which you may contact one.  After that 20 minute period, if you still do not wish to take a test, the officer will consider that to be a refusal.  Your license will be taken away on the spot and you will be given notice that your driving priviliges have been revoked for a period of 1 year. You will be issued a permit that is valid for 15 days from the date of your arrest.  Notice of how to request a hearing to contest the license suspension will be given.  You will have 15 days to request a hearing to review the suspension of your license for your alleged refusal.

If you did submit to a chemical test and the officer ultimately issues you a ticket for DWI, then your license will be suspended as well and you will have 15 days during which you may request a hearing. 

If you have been arrested for DWI in Missouri, contact an experienced DWI attorney in your area immediately.  It is highly encouraged to consult with an attorney prior to your civil hearing to contest the suspension of your license.  It may even be in your best interest to have an attorney represent you at the hearing.