MISSOURI

General Information:

Drinking and driving behaviors have a serious impact on the citizens of Missouri. Each year, thousands of people are injured or killed in alcohol-related crashes resulting in serious financial impacts.

The Department of Mental Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse certifies programs to provide services to individuals who have had an alcohol or drug related traffic offense. The Substance Abuse Traffic Offenders Program (SATOP) serves more than 30,000 DWI offenders annually who are referred as a result of an administrative suspension or revocation of their driver's licenses, court order, condition of probation, or plea bargain. SATOP is, by law, a required element in driver's license reinstatement by the Department of Revenue.

All SATOP offenders enter the system via an Offender Management Unit (* PDF format). Offenders receive a screening assessment where a review of their driving record, breath alcohol content at the time of their arrest, computer-interpreted assessment and an interview with a qualified substance abuse professional is conducted. Based upon the information gathered during the screening an appropriate referral is made to one of several types of SATOP programs.

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BEWARE: Completing an alcohol program may not satisfy the DMV. That is just one reason why it is critical that you consult with a lawyer in your area that concentrates on DUI / DWI defense.

Supplemental Fees: All applicants entering SATOP must pay a $125 supplemental fee at the time of the initial screening interview. The money collected by each program is deposited in the Mental Health Earnings Fund. These funds are then used to purchase approved intervention and counseling services for repeat and persistent DWI offenders who may otherwise be unable to afford these services. The $125 supplemental fee and a $65 screening fee are due at the time of the initial appointment for screening ($190 total).

Total costs for SATOP can run between $290 - $1003. The most costly counseling and WIP fees are partially offset by Standard Means Testing for lower income individuals.

The SATOP License Reinstatement Procedure

Step One: The Screening Process

Missouri law now requires all persons arrested for DWI to complete an assessment screening of their alcohol and substance use related to their driving behavior. This screening consists of a Department of Revenue driver's record check, completion of the Missouri Driver Risk Inventory II (DRI-II), and an individualized interview. The results of the screening determine the appropriate level of SATOP placement for each client. Once examined, SATOP officials assign the appropriate service(s) for the individual, which are listed below in Step 2.

Step Two: SATOP Services

• Offender Education Program (OEP): A 10-hour education course designed specifically to assist lower risk, first-time offenders in understanding the choices they made that led to their intoxication and arrest. Education is key to helping first-time offenders take responsibility for their actions.
• Adolescent Diversion Education Program (ADEP): An education program for minors who may have received Abuse/Lose, Minor in Possession, or Zero Tolerance offenses.
• Weekend Intervention Program (WIP): A level of service designed for repeat offenders or "high risk", first-time offenders using intensive education and counseling intervention methods over a marathon weekend of structured activities. The program is conducted in a restrictive environment.
• Clinical Intervention Program (CIP): A 50-hour outpatient counseling program consisting of individual counseling, group counseling, and group education. Ten hours must address DWI/DUI issues.
• Youth Clinical Intervention (YCIP): A program for minors who have been identified through the screening process as having serious problems with substance abuse.
• Traditional Treatment: Individuals presenting for SATOP services having multiple alcohol or drug related traffic offenses, or those identified through the screening process as being at a "high risk" for chemical dependency, may receive a recommendation for more traditional treatment. Individuals may also choose, for a variety of reasons, to complete a traditional treatment program. This treatment may be in the form of a residential program or an intensive outpatient program but must be completed at a state certified, or nationally accredited, substance abuse treatment program. For more information about these types of programs, you may contact any Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Regional Offices or search the Treatment Services Locator.

Drunk driving defense is a very specialized area of law; if you or someone you care about has is facing a DUI charge, it is important to speak to a lawyer who is skilled in defending drunk driving cases.