GEtting the warrart and taking the blood.. sure...
but the full on strap down head lock thing is horse shit ESP on a compliant subject. I get the officer safety part but if it is unsafe for the officers then don't do it.
GEtting the warrart and taking the blood.. sure...
but the full on strap down head lock thing is horse shit ESP on a compliant subject. I get the officer safety part but if it is unsafe for the officers then don't do it.
Forgetting the GEORGIA video that started this thread, HERE IN COLORADO, you have given your express consent to either a blood test or a breath test (and in certain circumstances, a urine test, but I don't want to muddy the water with the explanation for that). A refusal to complete either test will result in an automatic revocation of your license for 1 year. That is on the administrative (non-criminal) side with the Department of Revenue. You have a right to request a DOR Hearing to challenge the revocation that needs to be filed within 7 days of your arrest. You may or may not win that challenge. Out of all the DUI arrests I made over the years, I lost in DOR maybe 2 times.
On the criminal side, you will still be charged with a DUI and DUI Per Se and the evidence used will be the totality of the event; driving actions, officer observations, statements, odors, observations on roadside maneuvers and finally, a completion or a refusal to complete a test. You still have a right to a trial and to have the evidence presented against you. A refusal can be used IN TOTALITY of the circumstances to show your demeanor, behavior, attitude, etc.
We would provide the Express Consent Advisement and if the suspect chose blood, we would call to have an ambulance service come to the PD and draw the blood. Occasionally, we took them to the ER if the ambulance services were busy. If injured in an accident and in the ER, their choice was limited to blood and taken by the phlebotomist on duty. We hardly ever had an issue with anyone who chose blood not cooperating with the draw. There were a number of times that a person would choose blood and when the EMT's showed up, wanted to change their decision, as they've always been told by lawyers, both real and imagined, that they needed to request a blood test for delay of the sampling, more accurate, or any other reason, real or imagined.
The only time we forced a blood draw on someone is when there was an accident and Serious Bodily Injury or death was involved and that was only after we had other indicators of alcohol consumption. In that event, we took two samples one hour apart.
Years ago, I went to training in Michigan and talked with the cops there. Here in Colorado, if you refuse, we write it up that way and you lose your license. That's about it. There, they have a prefilled one page warrant they fax to the on-call judge for signature and then force a blood draw. They also seize the vehicle's license plates and issue a 7 day paper plate, similar to how we seize driver's licenses. A person can't get new plates for that vehicle until a specific amount of time associated with the seriousness or frequency of their DUI arrest, be it three months or one year or more. This included if it was a company vehicle or the only vehicle for the household. The point is, each state does things differently. When getting riled up about something that occurs in another state, bear in mind, that is what is going on in another state and not necessarily the state in which you reside.
“Every good citizen makes his country's honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense and is conscious that he gains protection while he gives it.” Andrew Jackson
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'
That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.
I would agree with your assessment. It is tough on the business owner whose vehicle is now unable to be operated; it is tough on the one car family. It punishes people who didn't do anything wrong other than employing or residing with a person charged with a DUI.
I can't remember if I asked and if they answered if the person could sell their vehicle to their spouse or a friend and get it licensed that way in an attempt to overcome that obstacle.
“Every good citizen makes his country's honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense and is conscious that he gains protection while he gives it.” Andrew Jackson
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'
That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.
While we're at it, why dont we just database everyones DNA also. Just think about it! This year will go down in history for the first time a civilized nation has forced blood draws. Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future...