In Galveston, it has been announced that DWI arrests under the Fourth of July weekend’s No Refusal operations showed an increase over the last several years.
A total of 15 DWI arrests were processed through the No Refusal operations covering this year’s three-day holiday weekend. Arrests under Fourth of July No Refusal Operations in the previous two years were as follows: there were 5arrests in which blood samples were obtained during the two-day operation in 2015 and 4 arrests in which blood samples were obtained during the one-day operation in 2014.
The judge can review the search warrant application, make a probable cause determination, and then transmit the signed warrant back to the officer for further action.
As the STRIKE program becomes more widely available for all agencies in Galveston County, use of the traditional No Refusal programs will come to an end. The District Attorney’s Office and Galveston County’s IT Department are working with local judges and law enforcement agencies to make the STRIKE program available to all officers as quickly as possible. Once implemented countywide, the STRIKE program will allow officers to obtain search warrants for blood samples 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Blood samples collected in these cases will be submitted for analysis at the Department of Public Safety’s Crime Lab and the results will be used as evidence during the trial.
The “No Refusal” Policy
A “No Refusal” program reinforced in last March to lower the number of drivers who still get behind the wheel after consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, a banned substance, or drugs. The “No Refusal” policy gives the police officers to draw blood samples from any driver suspected of alcohol consumption without the need to produce a search warrant if they refuse to comply to take a breath test or decline to give a blood sample voluntarily.
Serious penalties and fines will apply to those who convicts for the first-time DWI offender. DWI offenders can face up to six months of jail time and fined up to $2,000. In addition, they’ll have to face other expenses pertinent with a DUI in Texas arrest, a conviction, court, and legal fees, classes, bail, etc. As a result, all these extra costs can rack up pretty quickly of upward of $15,000 or more.
Contact a Texas Criminal and DWI defense attorney today who can provide you with a confidential consultation. He can also evaluate your case and counsel you on the best steps to take. Contact Mr. Yong J. An by calling or texting him 24/7 directly at (832) 428-5679.
Yong J. An, Criminal Defense and DWI attorney, Abogado de Defensa Criminal, Brazoria County, Pearland, Angleton. Also, Lake Jackson, Manvel, Alvin, Freeport, Waller County, Hempstead, Chamber County. Anahuac, Montgomery County, Woodland, Conroe, Jefferson County, Beaumont, Liberty County. Cleveland, Brazos County, College Station, Bryan, Fort Bend County, Sugar Land. Richmond, Rosenberg, Missouri City, Harris County, Houston, Spring. Moreover, Pasadena, Humble, Tomball, Cypress, Webster, Galena Park, South Houston, Deer Park. Katy, Baytown, Kingwood, Galveston County, League City, Texas City, Dickinson, Kemah, Friendswood, and Santa Fe.