Law enforcement offers have the right, at the time they pull you
over, to request that you submit to Field Sobriety Tests such as ‘touch
your finger to your nose’ and ‘walk in a straight line, heel to
toe.’ These are not required and you have a right to refuse them,
as many people have difficulty with these tests even under the most
sober of conditions and the officer’s subjective assessment of your
performance can be incriminating.
Chemical tests, such as a Breathalyzer, Blood and/Urine Tests, are not
optional. If you refuse a chemical test, your license will be
suspended indefinitely for 1 year.
- Breathalyzer - A small apparatus that the driver blows into. It
will record the amount of alcohol in your blood. The Breathalyzer
is chemical test of choice.
- Blood Test - You will be asked to provide only one sample of your
blood.
- Urine Test – You are subjected to a Urine Test if you are suspected
of DUID (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs).
How is Missouri Law Enforcement Tipped-Off to a Possible DWI?
There are tell-tale signs when you are driving while intoxicated or
under the influence of drugs. An officer will first notice that
you are weaving or ‘swaying’ in and out of traffic, having difficulty
remaining in one lane, or are making irrational or erratic decisions
behind-the-wheel. This is cause enough for them to pull you over
for suspicion.
The officer will then engage you in conversations and take you through
a series of questions in order to confirm their suspicions and attempt
to get you to incriminate yourself. The officer will also examine
your general appearance, be alert for alcohol-related odors and make
note of any slurred or incoherent speech. Finally, the officer
will have you step out of your car and observe you for fumbling,
stumbling, falling and any other unbalanced behavior that is indicative
of impairment.
Once the officer’s suspicions are confirmed, you will be subjected to a
chemical test to confirm an elevated BAC or to confirm the presence of
drugs in your blood or urine.
