What to do When Pulled Over for DWI

If you're stopped by a police officer for driving whileearly enough. There's a 30-day limit for doing this,
intoxicated (DWI), be polite to the officer. Cooperatecounting from the day of your arrest.
with what he or she asks you to do, because it will beWithin 15 days
against your own interests to be uncooperative orThis is the time limit you have in Missouri for submitting
rude. Anybody can find himself or herself in thisa written request for a driver's license hearing. If you
situation, and your background (apart from anyfail to do this, you'll lose your license for 30 days, and
previous DWI offences) will have no relevance, butfor 60 days your driving will be restricted to only driving
your behavior when stopped will definitely be relevant.to school or work.
Breath and/or alcohol testsTo get your license back
The legal limit of alcohol differs according to what typeYou'll have to do several things:
of vehicle you're driving and how old you are. The· Take the Substance Abuse Traffic
basic limit in all states is 0.08%. But if you're youngerOffenders Program (SATOP)
than 21, it's lower. If you drive a commercial truck, it's· Go to a Mothers Against Drunk Driving
0.04%. Bus drivers have their own legal limit.(MADD) Victim Impact Panel
If you test at a level above the legal level for you, do· Pay a reinstatement fee to the Missouri
cooperate and take any subsequent tests. MissouriDriver's License Bureau
has an "implied consent" law, meaning that when you· Obtain an evaluation of your record
obtained your driver's license, you implicitly agreed to· File a proof of financial responsibility, i.e.,
take a chemical test if you're suspected of DWI.adequate automobile insurance, with the Driver's
If you refuse to take the Breathalyzer:License Bureau. You'll have to maintain this for 2 years.
· This refusal in itself may be treated as aCall an experienced DWI attorney
separate crimeDo this as soon as you can. Without your own
· Your driving privilege can be suspended for aMissouri DWI lawyer, you're very likely to be lost in the
yearfoggy maze of Missouri's drunk driving laws, which
· You can be viewed as admitting your ownchange every month or so. You need someone to
guiltwatch out for time limits, speak for you when
If you have your own Missouri DWI lawyer, he or shenecessary, negotiate for you, complete and file all the
could potentially file a petition for review of your licensepaperwork correctly sand on time, and generally fight
suspension in the Circuit Court, if you have hired himfor you interests.