Blood Tests, Budget Cuts, DWI Cases, and Delay at the DPS
You’re probably aware what a threat drunken driving poses to your safety and the safety of your loved ones out on the road. But you may not be aware that drunken driving in Texas has not notably diminished despite widespread educational campaigns, stiffened legal penalties for DWI violations, and the increased use of ignition interlock devices to deter repeat offenses.
Contact Us to Report Your Important Information on DWI Injury Accidents
In our ongoing efforts to help Texas traffic authorities, safety officials, and law enforcement officers enhance road safety and to help accident victims and their families get the help they need, The Texas accident injury attorneys at Denena Points, PC urge you to contact us with any witness information you have regarding DWI injury accidents.
Every tool is important to Texas authorities in curbing the DWI problem. Your witness information could be important to a DWI case, even if you don’t believe so. Contact our Texas accident injury attorneys and report your information. We’ll help you evaluate that information and get it to where it needs to go. Reach us at 281-369-4363 or through our online contact form. Thank you, and drive safe.
Prosecutors need Blood Evidence When Prosecuting DWI Cases
Our Texas accident injury attorneys point out that DWI defense attorneys are well aware of the weaknesses in the field sobriety tests that used to serve prosecutors intent on demonstrating a defendant’s guilt. DWI defense attorneys are often quite adept at attacking field sobriety tests and destroying their value as evidence in court.
So blood tests that can more accurately demonstrate a suspect’s blood alcohol concentration level have become more popular tools for law enforcement officers in their efforts to get drunken drivers off the roads. Texas “no refusal” operations with personnel and equipment allotted to expedite issuance of warrants and performance of blood draws have become more widespread and more frequent, especially during the holidays. And the numbers of drunken driving arrests are growing.
A Vastly Increased Number of Blood Samples Await Testing at Texas Crime Labs
Texas estimates say that the numbers of blood samples sent to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) have increased by 500% since about 2006. Part of the reason for the growing use of blood evidence in DWI cases is a 2004 decision from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals that said that law enforcement officers could legally draw blood from a DWI suspect so long as they obtained a warrant first. In effect, the decision put to rest some of the ongoing controversy over whether such blood evidence was legal and could be used in court. (Source: Tony Plohetski, The Austin American-Statesman, 12/6/12)
Our Texas accident injury attorneys note that some large cities, like Austin, have their own crime labs to analyze blood samples. But most communities must rely on the statewide Texas DPS to analyze blood samples submitted from DWI suspects.
Continued in Part 2.