State court: No need for warrants in drunk-driving blood test

When a drunk driver is believed to be responsible for a death or injury, law enforcement officials are allowed to order blood tests without a warrant, the state Supreme Court ruled on May 30. Bucking a trend, most of the judges concurred that the minutes lost in waiting for a warrant are simply too precious, since evidence can be spoiled (as blood-alcohol levels decrease). Others cautioned that the ruling tramples on people’s rights not to be subjected to unreasonable searches and seizures.