There will be blood, at DUI checkpoints
Call him Sheriff Dracula!

Motorists, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw wants your blood.

I’m not kidding.

Drivers on county roads Feb. 27-28 will be subjected to blood tests at DUI checkpoints if they refuse a breathalyzer.

The plan calls for paramedics to be standing by for the blood drawing, which could take place in ambulances parked near the checkpoints.

According to a PBSO memo obtained by Page2Live, deputies are preparing to fan out throughout the county on those days, 5 p.m. to 3 a.m., to stop those suspected of driving drunk.

As usual, there’ll be field sobriety tests, such as reciting the alphabet and walking on a line. Those who fail will be treated differently than in routine DUI stops.

They’ll be asked to take a breathalyzer on the spot, instead of being brought to a station where those tests are usually conducted. If a motorist refuses, deputies will actually drive to a judge’s home for a warrant. The deputies will then return to the checkpoint and demand that the suspect have blood drawn.

That procedure is usually reserved for extreme cases, including deadly car accidents or homicides.

That weekend, however, much more blood could flow.

“In theory, we could force a person to have their blood drawn once we have a warrant,” said PBSO Capt. Pat Kenny, the patrol commander who dreamed up the operation. “But we’re going to keep it positive. We’re just trying to drive the point home that DUI isn’t tolerated.

“We won’t hold people down or strap them on gurneys. It’s hard to stick a needle in someone who’s fighting. We’ll try to convince them nicely to make the right choice.”

Those who’ll still refuse the procedure will be arrested and charged with DUI. Suspects face, among other penalties, a license suspension of at least six months for a first offense.

Kenny says about 75 cops from most county agencies will be involved. He says he expects, at most, eight to ten cases will be brought to the on-call judge.

“I don’t think it’s ever been done here, but I heard it’s been done in other parts of the country,” Kenny said about the plan. “We’ve met with the paramedics, the state attorney and the chief judge, and everybody felt comfortable that this is something we could do through blood tests.”

Local DUI lawyers, meanwhile, are licking their chops.

“That sounds absolutely illegal,” said criminal lawyer and CNN legal pundit Michelle Suskauer. “The law keeps blood drawing only for special circumstances. Other states do (blood tests at DUI checkpoints). Some get away with it. Others don’t. This will be challenged in court.”

Added barrister David Olson, who specializes both in civil rights and DUIs: “You can’t go around sticking needles in people. Unless you’re in an accident that caused serious bodily harm.”

Neither Bradshaw nor rookie State Attorney Mike McAuliffe returned calls.


While I am glad I am ALWAYS the designated driver, so this would not apply to myself but WTF!!!! I see what little rights we have left quietly flying out the window!!!!

thats ghoulish

Do people where you live have the right to drive under the influence? I sure hope I never have to drive in your area.

AND the blood test isnt free

they'll charge you a couple hundred dollars for the blood test

maybe it will help cut down on the DUI's...who knows

Ive never been asked to perform a field sobriety test, but I would be quit peeved to have to do one. I do not like to have to perform BS exams that I do not feel indicate sobriety effectively, and can be subjective is nature.

I would insist on a breathalyzer. If one was not available I would not be a happy camper. NO ONE draws blood from me without me being able to verify a fresh prepackage syringe, and then I would still call my lawyer before anyone did anything.

These police would NOT like me.

However they would like me if they have the breathalyzer, I see no reason to deny a test based on this well established technology, and I do not drive under the influence so why would anyone reject such a test unless they know the results. IMHO if you reject a breathalyzer you should loose your license for life.

are you for real? was that the message?

I live in SE Florida let me know when you're in town

I know a guy that refuses the breath test because he thinks he can beat the charge...he needs to be off the streets and if drawning blood would do it....hand me the needle and I'll do it myself

Law Enforcement amazes me constantly.
If ya' gonna' put up a checkpoint, why, on God's earth, advertise it.
Surprise the drunks.
I'd just about bet, if, they are told the cost of getting blood and time spent waiting for a court order, they will go for the Breath Test.

I don't think the drunks would remember the ad .. at least not the ones I know...they are lucky if they remember their names

sure they will charge for the officers time in driving to the 'nearest judge' to obtain warrant, the ambulance company time and employees, the materials, etc.

They do it in MA.

hey Sam, what don't they do in MA?

Have warmth and sunshine.

Are you saying that non-medical persons should be allowed to draw blood?

You know, just because someone fails a DUI test, doesn't necessarily mean they are a falling down, out of their mind drunk. .08 doesn't take much to get to. just saying......

EMT's are going to draw your blood. They are certified to do it.

my problem with this whole thing is if sobriety test is refused, driving privileges is suspended.

Pass the field tests, they can still want a breathalizer, pass that one they want blood. When is it going to end, what next my dna for a speeding ticket???

Thats my problem with it.

I applaud and am grateful for all who work in the service fields, police/fire/emt etc. I am grateful for those removed from the roads, for driving while under the influence - THANK YOU!

I just somehow feel the little bit of my personal rights, my blood included is now up for the taking??? that's what bothers me most. Decisions being made constantly on my behalf... guess I am just ranting, but it does bother me. But I'll be ok

I'm talking about the ones that are falling down. the person I knew that needs to be off the road...pushed the female bartender on the floor when she tried to get him to let her call a cab. but no...i'm not talking about the ones that had a beer or 2