DUI Refusals/Use of Search Warrants. The Problem. Another Problem. 4/10/2013

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1 DUI Refusals/Use of Search Warrants Presentation for Lifesavers 2013 By Chief Robert L. Ticer Avon Police Department The Problem. High incidences of DUI Offenders refusing to provide a breath or blood test when arrested for DUI/DWAI/DUID. Short lived evidence (BAC) is lost. District Attorneys and Jurors do not have a tangible number to consider. MARIJUANA!! Another Problem. 1

2 A Solution.. Use of Search Warrants to obtain blood evidence from DUI/DWAI/DUID offenders when the offender refuses to provide a sampleunder Expressed or Implied Consent. USE ON ALL CASES..but you may have to start out taking small bites Is this Lawful? YES! Schmerber v. California, 384 U.S. 757 (1966). Leading case on compulsory blood tests. State v. Woomer, 196 N.J. Super 583 (N.J. App. Division 1984). Police may use force to obtain blood sample. 4 th Amendment Search. Probable Cause! History of DUI Search Warrants Arizona DPS 1995 Two Arizona DPS Sergeants/Paramedics certified as phlebotomists. Prior to this, blood was drawn by non law enforcement officers, generally at a hospital during consent or with a search warrant. Civilian phlebotomists were often hesitant to draw blood (combative suspects, concerned about non consensual draws). 2

3 History of DUI Search Warrants Arizona DPS DPS began sending officers to the Phoenix Community College Phlebotomy Program under the direction of the AWESOME Cathee Tankersley. Ms. Tankersley, with support of Arizona DPS and the Governor s Office of Highway Safety Developed a 40 hour course specific for LE. Course work, and 100 venipunctures required. History of DUI Search Warrants Arizona DPS The Program took off! By the mid 2000 s there were over 100 law enforcement phlebotomists in Arizona DPS and more than 400 throughout municipal and county agencies statewide. Arizona Program In 2003, Arizona DPS saw a 12 percent drop in DUI refusals with the use of the DUI Search Warrant IACP Sep 2005 Police Chief Article Ticer. Procedures Arrest based upon PC; subject refuses consent; search warrant is obtained; blood is seized via the warrant using minimum and reasonable force necessary. Subject still loses license for refusing to provide the sample. Strong Policies/Manual 3

4 Benefits Evidence is obtained Evidence is obtained quicker (law enforcement phlebotomists) BAC above.08 cases Extreme DUI Statutes are in play Less time in court for officers Higher conviction rates Chain of Custody Higher rates of consent SAFER COMMUNITY REDUCED NUMBER OF ALCOHOL/DRUG RELATED CRASHES! Can this work in Colorado or other states? Yes it can and does. Avon Police Department taking the lead. Support of Law Enforcement Executives. Support of the District i Attorney and Judges. Secure the use of phlebotomists that are authorized to draw blood per state statute. Ensure proper policies and procedures are in tact and followed. Moving Forward The Law Enforcement Phlebotomist 2005 Arizona Law Enforcement Phlebotomists number more than 400 (103 Arizona DPS). Phoenix Community College Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Program. 40 hours. Cathee Tankersley is the founder. Supported and funded by the Arizona Governor s Office of Highway Safety. Difference in statutes between AZ and CO to consider. 4

5 Arizona State allows law enforcement phlebotomists A.R.S Blood If blood is drawn under , only a physician, a registered nurse or another qualified person may withdraw blood for the purpose of determining the alcohol concentration or drug content in the blood. The qualifications of the individual withdrawing the blood and the method used to withdraw the blood are not foundational prerequisites for the admissibility of a blood alcohol content determination made pursuant to this subsection. Arizona Case Law: State v. Olcavage, 200 Ariz. 582, 30 P.3d 649 (App. 2002) A phlebotomist was determined to be a qualified person by the Arizona Court of Appeals. it is the training and experience that make a person qualified State v. Carrasco, 203 Ariz. 44, 49 P.3d 1140 (App. 2002) A medical assistant was determined to be a qualified person. Who can draw blood under Colorado Law CRS (6) (a) No person except a physician, a registered nurse, a paramedic, as certified in part 2 of article 3.5 of title 25, CRS, an emergency medical technician, as defined in part 1 or article 3.5 of title 25 CRS, or a person whose normal duties include withdrawing ihd i blood samples under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse shall be entitled to withdraw blood for the purpose of determining the alcoholic or drug content therein. One more thing maybe two of three Education, Education, Education. Who? Start out on major offenders, felony DUI s, multiple offenders. ih i i / Meet with your District/County Attorney s. Visit with your Judges. No Refusal Weekends. Some will be worried try something new? 5

6 Successful Cases SR 87 Beeline Highway Crash I 17 Crash, Cordes Junction Avon Habitual Offender Case Two hour rule Forget about it! Questions? Thank you! Robert L Ticer Chief of Police Robert L. Ticer, Chief of Police Avon, CO rticer@avon.org