Patrol Case Law: Missouri V. McNeely

The Supreme Court case Missouri v. McNeely concern the constitutionality of warrantless blood tests conducted on suspected drunk drivers. The case revolves around the question of whether the natural dissipation of alcohol in the bloodstream constitutes a sufficient exigent circumstance to justify a warrantless search. The Court ultimately ruled that a per se rule permitting warrantless blood draws in all drunk-driving cases is unconstitutional, holding that the Fourth Amendment requires a case-by-case assessment based on the totality of the circumstances.