Select officers in Texas and Idaho are undergoing training on how to draw blood from drivers suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The federal program is the first step in determining if drawing blood by officers on the scene is an effective way to stop drunk driving with better results during prosecutions. If successful, the National Traffic Safety Administration will try and take the program nationwide according to an AP story in the Bradenton Herald.
In Idaho, there was a 20% breath tests refusal despite tightened laws. Prosecutor Christine Starr hopes this new system will cut down on the number of DUI trials. While the Idaho Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court have upheld that blood can forcibly be drawn from a drunk driving suspect, in Florida that isn’t the case. There has been issues raised about the credibility of blood evidence taken by officers who go through a shortened course compared to the one taken by a licensed phlebotomist.
If you have been charged with a DUI in Tampa or Hillsborough County, please do not hesitate to contact Tampa DUI Attorney Stephen Higgins, Esq. at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1800-344-4848) to discuss the matter. Also you can contact Stephen in our new Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.
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