PORT ORCHARD – A new law that took effect Aug. 1 in Washington allows State Patrol troopers to have blood drawn from drunken driving suspects, even if they won’t give it voluntarily.
Patrol spokesman Bob Calkins said this allows repeat drunken driving cases to be handled as felonies from the time of arrest. Felony DUI carries a five-year sentence, versus one year for misdemeanor DUI.
Troopers don’t draw blood themselves but use a medical professional. Calkins also says dispatchers have been trained to check records and let troopers know when they have stopped a felony suspect.
The Kitsap Sun reported that a blood sample was taken early Sunday from a 30-year-old Port Orchard man after he was stopped for swerving in traffic. Records showed it would be his fifth DUI in 10 years.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.