DPD's DWI No-Refusal Initiative a No-Go?

On Thursday we gave you the no-surprise-there heads-up that, yet again, the Dallas Police Department would be drawing blood from long-weekend drunken drivers who refused to voluntarily turn over a blood or breath sample. Well, the numbers are in: DPD just sent word that 54 people were arrested for driving...

By Robert Wilonsky

September 7, 2010

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On Thursday we gave you the no-surprise-there heads-up that, yet again, the Dallas Police Department would be drawing blood from long-weekend drunken drivers who refused to voluntarily turn over a blood or breath sample. Well, the numbers are in: DPD just sent word that 54 people were arrested for driving whilst inebriated, and four warrants were issued for blood draws.

But that's not the whole story: DPD's release mentions that from 6 p.m. Friday till 6 a.m. Saturday, six arrestees refused to submit to a breathalyzer or blood test. At which point: "Warrants were not obtained because there was no magistrate on duty." Then, during the next 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m. Sunday, three arrestees refused blood or breath tests. Problem was: "Warrants were not approved by the magistrate."

I've e-mailed Sr. Cpl. Janice Crowther, a department spokesperson, for a further explanation.

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