Posted on 12/29/2007 7:41:14 PM PST by Eric Blair 2084
Drunken drivers, consider yourself warned: The cops will be out for blood.
Motorists on Fort Worth roads who refuse to take a breath test after being stopped for suspected drunken driving on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day will have their blood drawn to determine whether they are impaired.
"If you refuse to take that blood test, we are going to ask for a warrant from a magistrate and come back and take your blood," said Fort Worth Police Chief Ralph Mendoza. "Basically, we are going to get our evidence one way or the other."
For the first time, Fort Worth police are launching a DWI No Refusal campaign in an effort to keep drunken drivers off the roads during the holiday.
In a news conference Friday morning, Mendoza, along with officials from the Tarrant County district attorney's office, Dalworthington Gardens, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving warned motorists not to get behind the wheel if they have imbibed.
"If you are stopped by a Fort Worth police officer and you are arrested for DWI, we are going to get a sample," said prosecutor Richard Alpert, who specializes in the prosecution of DWI and intoxication manslaughter cases. "We are going to get the evidence we need in court to prove your guilt. There is no way around it."
Defense attorney Abe Factor who routinely defends those arrested for DWI, said he believes that the campaign is little more than a publicity ploy and that the results will be lackluster, partly because the process will take time and many will score below the legal limit of 0.08.
"To me, it's more sizzle than steak," he said. "It's a good for thing for them to have a press conference over, but the numbers are going to be fairly small. If they stop someone who is really intoxicated, they are going to have them videotaped all over the place anyway."
The idea for the no refusal holiday came from senior prosecutor Lloyd Whelchel of the Tarrant County district attorney's office.
Whelchel recently attended a training seminar and reminded officials that authorities in El Paso and Harris County had similar programs in place.
The campaign will run from 8 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday and from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday. If a Fort Worth police officer pulls over a suspected drunken driver who refuses a breath test, the officer will seek a search warrant from a magistrate.
The suspect will then be taken to a room at the Fort Worth Police Department, where at least three officers with Dalworthington Gardens Public Safety Department will be on hand to take their blood.
I see you have never been stopped for anything serious by a cop...Arrest is purely at the officer’s discretion. If you piss him off by insisting your rights be respected or declining to answer questions they can and do go ballistic. It will be his word against yours unless you or your car is wired. There is a kid in the St Louis area who has clearly demonstrated that. Another good example is to legitimately refuse a search of your vehicle. Drives them nuts. BTDT.
To the issue in question, most people do not realize that breathalyzers are not always accurate and are not subject to independent testing or analysis (trade secrets). Also some depts have taken to billing people for jail stays and blood tests. It can be fought if you are innocent...but its not worth the time
Always insist on the best test available, which is a blood test. It also means you can have sample tested independently at a later date if necessary. Its also takes resources off of the street and lessens the ability of the crooked depts to conduct such scams.
Sorry, but I don't really think so. Besides, your cholesterol can't kill my kid. Your drunkenness can. The inescapable message is: don't drink and drive.
John Wayne rules ! There is a little vulgarity in this , but this is great .
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Uf7R2_GWJ2Y
Even if you’re not drunk, but the cop says you are drunk, and you know he knows you’re not drunk ?
you give away your rights too easily...fool
Resisting arrest, blood drawn or tyranny is a serious offense. Punishable by death. Unless you live in the DPRNJ. No death penalty allowed...it’s cruel and inhumane.
But if you have a BAC of .09 after drinking a few beers and driving home from your office Christmas party God help you. You’re going to the chair.
I pray to God this doesn’t come back to haunt me. I worry about my wife and kids driving around at night in the minivan on the way home from the mall.
This is what happens with the nanny state. It’s like the “Boy Who Cried Wolf”. Everyone is so sick of the Gubmint lying and telling us that a whiff of cigarette smoke will kill you that they have no credibility when a real threat is present.
John Wayne/Mr. Morrison sounds drunk in that youtube interview. I would like to see the authorities try to book him for DWI while he was riding his horse home.
He’d tell them what America is about.
Is that great or what !
Don’t call Calpernia a fool. Or I will beat you to death with a wet noodle. She’s on the side of freedom....mostly.
Normally, they dont normally extrapolate back, they just cite the level found. Remember that you can be convicted with a BA below the presumtive threshold.
Sorry, but I don't really think so. Besides, your cholesterol can't kill my kid. Your drunkenness can.
Actually, a pilot, bus/taxi driver, or truck driver etc can kill your kid if they have a medical problem or heart attack. Happens all the time.
you think these things are a joke and funny. I submit to you that they are deadly serious.
Kruschev and other dignitaries used to meet John Wayne and drink Vodka with him. His persona and on screen characters may be “fictional” in the literal sense but they are as real as the nose on everyone’s face when it comes to pop culture and Americanism.
Is this the part where I have to go to a mandatory public school assembly and stay quiet while I listen to a Goverment ordered speech about drunk driving? Complete with horrific pictures and sad stories?
This is not 1984 and I’m not 16 years old anymore. I can log off and not listen. Social engineering is hard work. I feel your pain.
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