Community Corner
Should the Law Require a Search Warrant to Draw Blood in DUI Cases?
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case from the state of Missouri, which could have implications on a national level. In Georgia, a search warrant is required.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case from Missouri on whether police must first get a search warrant before forcing a suspected drunk driver to have blood drawn.
According to a story in The San Francisco Chronicle, the justices have agreed to hear the Missouri contention that the Constitution does not require police to take the time to get a search warrant in order to draw blood. The contention is that the alcohol would dissipate in the system during the wait. The high court in Missouri, however, disagrees and claims a search warrant is required.
There are 27 states, including Georgia, that already require a search warrant to draw blood. It is reported that more than 1.4 million people are arrested in the US each year and charged with driving under the influence.
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