Ohio Judges Issuing Warrants for Blood Testing DUI Suspects
Two Wayne County, Ohio judges are issuing search warrants for drivers suspected of DUI who refuse to submit to breath tests. Municipal Judge Stuart Miller said the warrants are aimed at repeat DUI offenders because first time offenders typically consent to a breath test. Miller said he wants to cut down on the number of jury trials required for people who refuse a breath test.
Ohio is one of the leading states for excessive repeat DUI offenders, with over 38,000 drivers with five or more convictions for DUI. Ohio has drivers, former drivers that is, with more than 20 DUI convictions.
Judges can order blood drawn from drivers because Ohio is an implied-consent state, meaning that all drivers consent to a search of their blood, breath, or urine when they apply for a drivers license.