No-Refusal DWI Program To Become Year-Round
This week, Tarrant County officials have announced they will implement their no-refusal DWI program, normally implemented over the holidays, as a year-round policy.
The Star-Telegram reports that the no-refusal DWI policy is put in place from New Year’s Eve until July 4th, which states that if a driver refuses a Breathalyzer test, an expedited warrant can be obtained. They can then be subjected to a court-ordered blood test instead.
The Tarrant County District Attorney’s office said that records indicate a total of 6001 DWI cases in Tarrant County in 2019. No information has been released about whether there has been an increase this year. However, officials are saying that motorists driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is a consistent problem that has led to motor vehicle deaths throughout the year.
The proposed expansion of the policy results from a collaboration between the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies within the county.
Officials say that all 41 cities within Tarrant County will have the option to make no-refusal DWI a year-round policy. Cities choosing to participate in the policy will have access to expedited judicial warrants and blood draw locations. The police departments do not have to opt-in but can make the policy decision independently.
Haltom Police Chief Cory Phillips said in a statement to reporters that so far, the majority of city jurisdictions within Tarrant County have elected to participate in Tarrant County’s no-refusal DWI expansion.
