Florida DUI: Cops Will Be Allowed to Draw Blood at the Roadside, a Dangerous Proposition
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Drunken drivers beware: If you drink and drive, especially during the last weekend of February, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and other area law enforcement will be out for blood.
PBSO deputies plan to set up driving under the influence checkpoints. If they suspect a driver is under the influence, they'll offer an on-the-spot Breathalyzer. If drivers refuse, deputies will ask to draw blood from their arms.
"I think that's really personal and I think that if you deny a Breathalyzer and you say that you don't want that, I think that's outrageous if they take blood without your consent," driver Courtney Liddle said.
Attorney David Olson said that "would only be lawful if a warrant is issued by a judge."
That's just what deputies plan to do. They'll actually drive to a judge's home for a signature and return to the checkpoint.
Olson said drawing blood from drivers is usually done in extreme cases like homicides and fatal collisions. Olson said he's not sure a judge would actually sign a warrant.
"I admire and respect the sheriff's intention to investigate driving under the influence cases, but I am glad that they apparently are going to go to judges before they independently exercise what they believe would be a valuable tool in conducting these kinds of investigations," Olson said.
The PBSO is trying to emphasize that DUI will not be tolerated. But some drivers feel it's a bit too much.
"I think it's invasive on a personal level," driver Dave Staup said. "If you're going to deny a Breathalyzer, you should definitely be able to deny getting blood taken. It's a highly more invasive thing to do."
If drivers refuse to have their blood drawn, they will be arrested and charged with DUI.
