‘No Refusal’ during Memorial Day holiday weekend

(ROCKWALL-May 22, 2013) Law Enforcement agencies from across Rockwall County will conduct a “No Refusal Weekend” during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.   This is a program whereby warrants will be sought to draw blood from individuals who are suspected of driving while intoxicated and have refused to provide a breath or blood sample.  This is the fifth year that Rockwall County has conducted the program which will extend from 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 24th until 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 28th.

Efforts are again being coordinated on a number of fronts.  Lake Pointe Medical Center and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall have agreed to provide trained phlebotomists to draw blood at the hospital throughout the weekend.  Rockwall County Court at Law Judge Brian Williams, Rockwall Municipal Judge Cathy Penn, Rowlett Municipal Judge Pam Liston, McLendon-Chisholm Municipal Judge Andrew Leonie, and Royse City Municipal Judge Paul Liston will work in shifts to review and consider the approval of the blood draw warrants.   The District Attorney’s Office will also work in twenty-four hour shifts to answer any questions from law enforcement. The Rockwall County Commissioner’s Court has agreed to reimburse the cities for the judges’ overtime costs, and Judge Williams and prosecutors have agreed to work without overtime compensation in order to make the program a success.

The law enforcement agencies involved in the program are the Heath Department of Public Safety, Rockwall Police Department, Rockwall County Constables, Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office, Rowlett Police Department, Royse City Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper said the program continues to be successful.  “This is a great effort to keep our community safe,” she said.  “People need to be reminded that we take DWI cases very seriously in Rockwall County.”

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  Memorial Day, no refusal weekend, Rockwall