Wash. Court: Police can force blood-alcohol tests - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Wash. Court: Police can force blood-alcohol tests

OLYMPIA, Wash. - The state Supreme Court says police can force a blood-alcohol test if suspected drunken drivers refuse to take one.

Under state law, drunken-driving suspects are allowed to refuse a voluntary blood-alcohol test. In exchange, they have to give up their license for at least a year.

In Thursday's case, a man who refused a blood-alcohol test was examined anyway, after Seattle police got a court order. His lawsuit claims that was unfair, but the court disagreed.

In a 7 - 2 ruling, justices say that state law clearly leaves room for police to get a warrant for blood-alcohol tests.

The court's two dissenters say the law isn't being interpreted right. They think warrants should only apply to evidence that's already been collected, like blood samples.

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