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.
Well... they'd be wrong if they did. NEVER, EVER take a breathalyzer... ever. DEMAND a blood test. At least, you have a chance of it being accurate.
Probably shouldn’t mention anything about the drive through liquor stores then.
I find death on the highway is nothing to be sarcastic about.
Alcohol on the scene also gets included regardless of BAC.
(Grandpa going home with liquor in the trunk wins him a spot on the list)
I agree with you about the whole cell-phone/distracted driver thing. When I get behind someone who’s having trouble driving a straight line, and especially turns, if I get around them, I almost always see they are talking away on a damn cell phone like they’re involved in the most important, engrossing conversation they just HAD to have right then and there.
This isn’t about death on the freeway; it’s about the continuous erosion of our freedoms.
Great! I finally found someone who agrees with me!
I traded in my 4x4 because those sticky people would always leave
a red trail to the next bar. I needed a monster truck.
In Texas the PSA say, “Don’t Drink and Drive”, not “Don’t Drive Drunk.”
Which I believe is conditioning for the future of ZERO tolerance policy.
Folks from out of the area would be totally besides themselves. :^)
ROTFL!
You specifically stated that “checkpoints saves lives”. That is a statement that CANNOT be proved. Assumptions and speculations are NOT statistical facts.
If I was innocent, I'd much prefer blood to breathalyzer.
I will say that it is not good. I will also say the amount of drivers who do anything but drive cause the problems.
Why don’t you try that with your friends? Maybe with your pissy attitude, you don’t have any friends.
Expect nothing but chirping crickets on this one from BigBrotherNannyState2nd. I no of no statistical evidence whatsoever that has ever been produced that shows that the same number of LEO's routine patrol work is any less effective than performing unconstitutional stoppages of innocent motorists.
Actually its
Drink.
Drive.
Go to Jail.
I don’t see a problem here.
Bump
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