Police lights at night — DWI stop Missouri

Step 1: The Stop

The officer needed a lawful reason to pull you over — a traffic violation, equipment issue, or observed erratic driving. Pull over safely, keep your hands visible, and provide your license, registration, and insurance. Be polite. Everything from this moment forward is being recorded.

Step 2: The Questions

"Have you had anything to drink tonight?" is not small talk — it's evidence collection. You are required to identify yourself. You are not required to answer questions about where you've been or what you've consumed. A polite "I'd prefer not to answer questions" is your legal right, and it cannot be used against you the way "just two beers" absolutely will be.

Step 3: Field Sobriety Tests

The walk-and-turn, one-leg stand, and eye-tracking (HGN) tests are voluntary in Missouri. You can respectfully decline them, and most defense lawyers will tell you these roadside gymnastics exist mainly to build probable cause against you — sober people fail them on dark, uneven shoulders all the time. Declining may still result in arrest, but it gives the State less to work with.

Step 4: The Breath Test — Where It Gets Serious

The roadside portable breath test is also generally refusable. But the evidentiary breath or blood test at the station is different. Under Missouri's implied consent law, refusing that test triggers a one-year license revocation, and you have a very short window to challenge it in court. There's no universal right answer on refusal — it depends on your record and situation — which is why the most important step is the next one.

Step 5: Call Mike — That Night

In Missouri you have the right to attempt to contact an attorney before deciding on the chemical test — the police must give you 20 minutes to try. Use it. And remember the arrest starts two cases: the criminal charge and the license action, each with its own deadlines. Call or text (636)940-7771 from the station, from booking, or from your kitchen table at 3 a.m. We answer.

One more thing: posting bond gets you out. Mike Kielty keeps you out.

★★★★★·“Honest, straightforward and effective.” — Josh★★★★★★·“The most competent attorney in Missouri.” — Brianna★★★★★★·“Professional, honest and tenacious.” — William★★★★★★·“Fair, honest attorney.” — Bryan★★★★★★·“Great guy and awesome lawyer.” — James★★★★★★·“Very professional and forthcoming.” — Jessica★★★★★★·“Best lawyers in St. Charles by far.” — Summer★★★★★★·“Gets the job done in your favor.” — Tim★★★★★★·“By far the best attorney in the state of Missouri.” — Monica★★★★★★·“Professional, knowledgeable, and very responsive.” — Doug H.★★★★★★·“Straightforward and no beating around the bush.” — Farrah★★★★★★·“Very helpful throughout my court procedures.” — Jacob★★★★★★·“Handled everything perfectly and got a great result.” — Maria★★★★★★·“Fair pricing, and did what he said he'd do.” — Bryon★★★★★★·“Always looking for ways to help any way he can.” — Zach★★★★★★·“Goes the extra mile to get your case handled swiftly and fairly.” — Leo★★★★★★·“Extremely professional from start to finish.” — Nick★★★★★★·“Absolutely the best at getting the best outcome.” — Kevy★★★★★★·“Very professional. The best there is.” — Jeff★★★★★★·“Very pleased with the results of his efforts.” — Terrence★★★★★★·“One of the best attorneys I've ever had the pleasure of working with.” — Bruce★★★★★★·“Completely competent and genuinely cares about his clients.” — Steven★★★★★★·“Always available, responding quickly every time I called.” — Michael★★★★★★·“Handled my case with no penalty. Very kind and caring.” — Kenzie★★★★★★·“Honest, straightforward and effective.” — Josh★★★★★★·“The most competent attorney in Missouri.” — Brianna★★★★★★·“Professional, honest and tenacious.” — William★★★★★★·“Fair, honest attorney.” — Bryan★★★★★★·“Great guy and awesome lawyer.” — James★★★★★★·“Very professional and forthcoming.” — Jessica★★★★★★·“Best lawyers in St. Charles by far.” — Summer★★★★★★·“Gets the job done in your favor.” — Tim★★★★★★·“By far the best attorney in the state of Missouri.” — Monica★★★★★★·“Professional, knowledgeable, and very responsive.” — Doug H.★★★★★★·“Straightforward and no beating around the bush.” — Farrah★★★★★★·“Very helpful throughout my court procedures.” — Jacob★★★★★★·“Handled everything perfectly and got a great result.” — Maria★★★★★★·“Fair pricing, and did what he said he'd do.” — Bryon★★★★★★·“Always looking for ways to help any way he can.” — Zach★★★★★★·“Goes the extra mile to get your case handled swiftly and fairly.” — Leo★★★★★★·“Extremely professional from start to finish.” — Nick★★★★★★·“Absolutely the best at getting the best outcome.” — Kevy★★★★★★·“Very professional. The best there is.” — Jeff★★★★★★·“Very pleased with the results of his efforts.” — Terrence★★★★★★·“One of the best attorneys I've ever had the pleasure of working with.” — Bruce★★★★★★·“Completely competent and genuinely cares about his clients.” — Steven★★★★★★·“Always available, responding quickly every time I called.” — Michael★★★★★★·“Handled my case with no penalty. Very kind and caring.” — Kenzie★

Pulled Over for a DWI in Missouri? Here's Exactly What to Expect

Step 1: The Stop

Step 2: The Questions

Step 3: Field Sobriety Tests

Step 4: The Breath Test — Where It Gets Serious

Step 5: Call Mike — That Night