October 3, 2025 – St. Louis County officials have announced that the county is now a “No Refusal” jurisdiction for DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) cases. This major change means that if you are suspected of drunk driving and refuse a breath or blood test, police officers will now be required to obtain a warrant to draw your blood — even against your will.
What Does “No Refusal” Mean for Drivers?
Under the new policy, refusing a chemical test no longer prevents the state from collecting evidence of intoxication.
Once an officer suspects a driver of being under the influence, they can quickly contact a judge to get an electronic search warrant authorizing a forced blood draw.
County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price has made it clear she intends to take a tough stance on impaired driving. The goal, she says, is to reduce alcohol-related crashes and promote safer roads. Whether this approach will truly deter drunk driving remains to be seen — but it certainly increases the stakes for anyone pulled over after drinking.
What It Means for Law Enforcement
This new approach shifts significant responsibility onto police officers.
Traditionally, officers used roadside breath tests to measure blood-alcohol concentration (BAC). These tests are fast and convenient, though often less reliable than a properly conducted blood test.
Now, when a driver refuses, the officer must:
Apply for a search warrant,
Transport the suspect to a hospital or approved facility, and
Wait for a nurse or phlebotomist to draw blood.
In some states, police officers themselves are trained and licensed to perform blood draws, but those programs have had mixed accuracy and legal challenges. If St. Louis County begins mandatory blood draws for every refusal, officers could spend hours off the road, waiting in emergency departments instead of patrolling or responding to calls.
Efficiency and Policy Concerns
The previous policy — limiting blood draws to felony-level DWI refusals — arguably made more sense from an operational standpoint. Every hour an officer spends processing one DWI suspect is an hour they’re not preventing other crimes or responding to emergencies.
While the Prosecutor’s Office wants to send a strong message about DWI enforcement, it’s uncertain how strictly this “No Refusal” rule will be enforced in daily police work. Some officers may still use discretion, pursuing warrants only for certain high-risk or repeat offenders.
What This Means for You
For drivers in St. Louis County and across Missouri, this is a reminder that:
1- Refusing a breath test can still lead to blood testing by warrant.
2 -You could face license suspension, increased penalties, and now a forcible blood draw.
3- Legal representation matters more than ever — especially if your rights were violated during a DWI arrest or blood draw.
If you’ve been charged with DWI in St. Louis County, talk to an experienced defense attorney before you take any action.
