TexasCHLforum.com

steveincowtown wrote:
100% agree DWIs are horrible and sometimes indicative of a larger issue.

I am curious about your statement that you "don't accept refusals." I thought a judge had to decide this?

Yeah for sure - many officers do not, as habit, pursue a blood warrant for every refusal case. I choose to do so - that is all I mean when I say I don't "accept" refusals.

LEOs don't deal with punishments other than testifying in court if the prosecutor's office pulls us in. I couldn't tell you what a standard plea deal entails. What was presented above seems plausible.

Driving to work is allowed via temporary driving hours on the suspended license. Otherwise, no you don't get to drive. If convicted (and usually even if not), you have demonstrated an inability to safely handle the responsibility of driving.

The penalties are getting stiffer for DWIs as it is easier to put together a good case. A few years ago, marginal cases and refusals were pled to obstructing a roadway, a different MB, but useless for enhancing subsequent DWIs. I don't really want to bring up the topic, but I will tell you that I use blood warrants all the time, and I get convictions on all of my cases. I don't accept refusals from anyone I arrest for DWI. I am hesitant to chime in much about this from an LEO perspective, but I tend to work alot of DWIs so I "get" how they work, and the damage they do.

jmra wrote:

Abraham wrote:JF,

"CHL's enviably low crime rate" - sounds better...thanks for coming up with it.

Thing is, most of us CHL types have ZERO crime in our past....

I must confess I got a speeding ticket July 4, 1986. I am so ashamed.

^ well yeah until he hits someone he's just commiting DOC discharge of a firearm.

Guess ill actually answer the two questions..


1. No real idea but I would hazard a guess that it demonstrates an inability to follow the rules/obey the law, and poor decision making. Both important factors when carrying a deadly weapon.

2. Yes - but LA does lots of things different.

As an aside, anyone know how many times the average person arrested for DWI has driven drunk before they have even caught?

Who says DWI is a non-violent misdemeanor?