Tag Archives: blood tests

Suspicion of driving under the influence is not grounds in and of itself for police to draw blood from a suspect without first acquiring a warrant, the Supreme Court ruled today. In Missouri v. McNeely, the Court upheld a Missouri State Supreme Court ruling that police could only take a blood test without a warrant in an emergency or under exigent circumstances. A person’s blood alcohol content naturally dropping over time does not count. “The question presented here is whether the …

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments today over whether police should be allowed to take blood samples of suspected drunk drivers without a warrant. The justices are looking at the case of Tyler G. McNeely, who was pulled over for speeding by Missouri police in 2010 after leaving a bar. When police smelled alcohol on his breath and saw other signs of intoxication, McNeely admitted that he had been drinking but refused to take a breathalyzer or blood test. Police …