Tougher DUI Laws In Effect for Tennessee

(KNOXVILLE, Tenn.) -- Under the "No Refusal" Law, Tennessee officials are seeking to obtain warrants for DUI suspects to undergo blood tests. Beginning Tuesday at 6pm, if DUI suspects refuse a blood test, officials will seek a search warrant to gain access to that person’s blood.

According to Assistant District Attorney Sarah Keith, "On No Refusal Weekend, it's exactly that. If you refuse a blood test, we will be seeking a search warrant for your blood on all those cases.”

Previously, a driver could refuse the test, but would lose his or her license if they did. However, under the current law, if probable cause exists, an officer can use a search warrant to ovveride the refusal.  

According to defense attorney Steve Oberman, however, "...we have to look at the manner in which the blood was obtained. If it was search warrant, then we have to look at how that search warrant was obtained to make sure everything was done correctly, that all the prerequisites were followed before the blood is actually drawn."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio