Last week we warned that those in attendance for SXSW should be careful to avoid getting an Austin DWI, as there was no doubt police would be on high alert. Turns out 25 people were arrested between 9pm Friday and 5am Saturday, according to KVUE News.

It was the latest “No Refusal” enforcement from the Austin Police Department, the program where if a driver is pulled over for an Austin DWI, they may not decline to take a breathalyzer test. And if the driver says “no,” the Austin police officer can get a warrant for their blood. The last “No Refusal” enforcement happened on Super Bowl Sunday, when 21 Austin DWI arrests were made.

According to KVUE, nine out of the 25 people arrested for an Austin DWI last weekend gave a breath sample, and the remaining 16 had search warrants issued on them so that APD could draw blood samples. Since the average number of Austin DWI blood draws on other “No Refusal” nights is 25, police noted that 16 was relatively low.

Don’t Get an Austin DWI

An Austin DWI can be a permanent mark on your record — it’s very, very serious. If you’re ever arrested for an Austin DWI, be sure you know your rights. You’ll want to hire an Austin DWI attorney who has a proven record of fighting for clients’ rights. Getting an experienced, knowledgeable Austin DWI attorney like Kyle Lowe on your side can be beneficial, since it’s possible that police officers can make mistakes when it comes to DWI arrests. If you’ve been arrested for Austin DWI, contact attorney Kyle Lowe today for a free case evaluation.

While football fans were done watching the big game and out celebrating — or not, depending on who they were rooting for — the Steelers’ win on Sunday night, Austin Police Department officers were watching for drunk drivers.

From 9pm on Sunday until Monday at 5am, APD’s “No Refusal” policy made it so that drivers could not give “no” for an answer when they were pulled over for a suspected DWI in Austin. This meant, essentially, that if a driver said “no” to a breathalyzer test, Austin police officers would get a warrant for their blood.

Austin DWI blood draws are controversial: many are firmly against them, while others believe they’re a necessary step to keep drunk drivers off Austin streets. Plus, in court Austin DWI blood draws help prove whether a driver was intoxicated.

This isn’t the first time the Austin Police Department has instituted the “No Refusal” policy/Austin DWI blood draws. They’ve done it two times previously.

If you’re pulled over for an Austin DWI, you simply must know your rights.  Provide the Austin DWI officer with your driver’s license and proof of insurance, and be sure not to give any incriminating information. If the officer asks you any incriminating questions, be polite but firm in saying that you respectfully decline to answer any questions until you consult with your Austin DWI attorney, Kyle Lowe.

Austin DWI offenses are very serious, and they can be on your driving record for the rest of your life. If you have an Austin DWI offense, it’s imperative that you hire an experienced, competent Austin DWI attorney like Kyle Lowe to be on your side.