Articles Posted in unlawful search and seizure

What You Need to Know about the Medical Blood Draw Exception
Law Office of James Novak

Without consent, or a warrant it is unconstitutional for the police to collect a DUI blood sample.
There are a few exceptions in which the police can obtain a blood test for investigation
In this article we will focus on the DUI medical blood draw exception, to a search warrant.
Under exigent circumstances, police can request a blood sample that is taken incidental to a blood draw for medical purposes.
The Arizona Supreme Court recently considered the question of when this exception would apply.
The blood draw exception requires medical personnel to give some of the blood sample drawn for medical reasons to a law enforcement officer, upon request.
The police can request a sample for a DUI investigation only if they have probable cause to believe the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Here we take a closer look at the case and decision involving the medical treatment exception. , the AZ Supreme Court added another layer of protection to assure a driver’s rights are protected by due process of law.
In the past if police requested a DUI blood test under the medical treatment exception, they needed to show probable cause, exigent factors, and that a blood test was being done for medical reasons. As a result of this decision, that state further needs to provide a showing that the driver’s rights to direct their own medical treatment were not violated.

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DUI Blood Test with Medical Treatment Admissible unless Care Expressly Refused
Law Office of James Novak

Your Guide to understanding the DUI blood test with medical treatment warrant exception. A DUI blood test taken by Police for investigating impairment is considered a search and seizure, protected by our 4th Amendment rights. This means that to obtain DUI blood or chemical evidence police would need either consent; or a warrant to order…

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The US Supreme Court to Hear Landmark DNA Evidence Case
Law Office of James Novak

The Verdict could have national impact on when law enforcement can collect DNA evidence from suspects. On November 9, 2012, the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear a criminal DNA testing case, Maryland v. King (12-207), which could result in nation-wide impacts. The defendant’s DNA samples were collected immediately following his arrest. He was…

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Arizona Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

Understanding Prolonged Traffic Stops in Arizona In Arizona, a police officer cannot keep a driver in a traffic stop against his or her will without a legal basis to do so. Arizona case law...

Arizona Court’s Opinion Reinforces Case Law Dictating Trial Court Jurisdiction Over Defendants Over Eighteen Years of Age In a recent opinion published by the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, the court vacated a trial court’s dismissal of an assault indictment...

Recent Arizona Court Opinion Highlights Reality that Multiple Offenses Means Harsher Sentences In Arizona, if a defendant with prior convictions is found guilty of a crime, that defendant will face a harsher sentence than if he or she had no...

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