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Missouri DUI Laws

DUI Defense in Missouri

Statutes, Penalties, and Defense Strategies

What you are facing, the deadlines that bind you, and the questions an attorney needs to answer — under Missouri (MO) DUI law.

BAC Limit

0.08

Enhanced BAC

0.15

Higher penalties above this

Lookback Period

5 years

Prior offenses count within

⚠

15 days-Day DMV Hearing Deadline

Missouri gives you 15 days days from the arrest to ask for a DMV hearing. This is the

administrative hearing

Plain language

A DMV review of the license suspension — separate from the criminal court case, with its own paperwork and deadline.

that decides the license suspension. Miss the deadline and the suspension starts on its own, even if the criminal case ends in dismissal later.

First Offense Penalties in Missouri

Jail TimeUp to 6 months
FinesUp to $1,000
License Suspension90-day suspension (30-day hard suspension + 60-day restricted)
Ignition Interlock

Plain language

A breath-tester wired into the car ignition. The car will not start without a clean sample.

Available as alternative to full suspension

Implied Consent and Test Refusal

Missouri has an

implied consent law

Plain language

By driving on the state's roads, you have already agreed to a chemical test if an officer has probable cause to think you are impaired.

like every state. The test can be breath, blood, or urine. Refusing carries its own penalty, listed below.

Refusal Penalty

1-year license revocation

Missouri-Specific Detail

Missouri offers a Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) that can reduce license suspension. The 15-day administrative hearing request window applies to both test failures and refusals.

Is your Missouri DUI defense on track?

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26 questions that change how your next attorney meeting goes, a case stage roadmap, red flag checklist, and a case progress scorecard. Instant PDF download — calibrated for Missouri DUI defendants.

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Other Missouri defense topics

Facing a different charge in Missouri? Penalty ranges, enhancements, and defense questions for related crimes:

Drug Possession in MissouriAssault in MissouriDomestic Violence in Missouri

Important: This page provides general legal information about Missouri DUI laws as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your case, speaking with a Missouri-licensed attorney is one option, or take the free Masked Researcher’s First Read to see where your case stands.