Posted on 12/28/2007 7:07:11 PM PST by elkfersupper
More Texas jurisdictions are turning to forced blood draws to convict those suspected of DUI.
Jurisdictions within Texas are expanding programs where police use force to draw blood from motorists accused of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Last week, El Paso announced it had joined Harris and Wilson Counties in a "no refusal" program specifically designed to streamline the blood drawing process.
It works as follows. An accused motorist is arrested and taken downtown. While being videotaped, he will be asked to submit to a breathalyzer test with officers specifically avoiding any mention that blood will be taken by force if the often inaccurate breathalyzer test is refused.
During key holiday weekends, a pre-assigned judge who agreed to wait by the phone will approve search warrants created from pre-written templates -- often within just thirty minutes. With warrant in hand, a nurse whose salary is often paid by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) will draw blood while police officers exert the required level of force. In some cases, this use of force can cause permanent damage. Montague, Archer and Clay counties have similar programs except that these departments do away with the nurse and have police officers perform the blood draw themselves, despite a state law banning the practice (view law).
Two of the twelve motorists subjected to the first blood draws in Harris County on Memorial Day weekend this year were later found to have blood alcohol levels below the .08 limit. The program will return on New Year's Eve.
Somebody who is pulled over for driving erratically or dangerously and blows a .10 or higher.
No cops should have their blood drawn every two hours because they carry loaded guns and could be operating a gun under the influence. Better to be safe than sorry.
Seems as though you're right.
That probably has washed through here at some point.
I agree but the statists far outnumber us on here.
Sorry... I have little compassion for people who are truly DRUNK, and driving on public roadways. There are ways to avoid this.
Ok.. maybe, 5 years is too much. But, I want to PUKE every time I read about someone being convicted of 4th, 5th, even 7th offense DWI. That just should NOT be possible.
We need serious laws, that go at the SOURCE of the serious problem. Not a bunch of laws that make criminals of people who are enjoying life and NOT being an undue burden on society.
OK.
:o
LOLOLOL
And - pray tell - how will you do this?
With your Mop Bucket of Death?
Or maybe one of those Killer Toilets?
LOLOLOL
Geez Elk. You must know that other pro-drunk driving FReepers on this thread are wishing you would shut up, as you are embarrassing the cause.
The Chief of Police from Tarrant County was on TV tonight about this. Statistics show average 1000 deaths during the Thanksgiving - NY Holidays annually in Texas from drunken driving. Not just injuries - deaths. Something had to be done. Those numbers are incredible.
Awwwwww.... so you got hurt so now we all have to pay huh? Pathetic.
So why is the nationwide standard .08, headed to .05, and effectively 0.00?
Not in the law making business, but I know insanity when I see it. Those that want to bleed us and those that want to run over us, seems it’s on both sides.
Elk. I’m now convinced you are right.
Changing tagline....
Ok... well at least what most suspected you now admit. You want everyone else to loose their rights and freedoms due to an accident you had. Gee, my uncle died from incompetent medical care so I now want it mandated that every medical procedure must have 4 surgeons reviewing all and any procedures. Too bad that now your medical insurance/bills will quadruple.
Ahh, the "former smoker syndrome".
The do-gooders are on a roll. Like socialists, they will keep pushing. And every time somebody is killed by a drunk they get more ammo.
“Hooray for Texas in doing this. It can only save lives.
Next..... Texas needs to join most other normal states and pass checkpoint sobriety laws.”
—
No reason to stop there, R2nd, the U.S. should just ban alcohol altogether, then tobacco, then transfats, then R2nd.
Don't drink, don't drive drunk, don't tolerate those who do.
I am just sick of this silliness being legislated by you people who drink the MADD Koolaid.
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