County Using E-Warrants in DUI, Negligent Homicide And Negligent Injury Cases

The county is using a new technique to expedite the process to secure a warrant and draw a suspect’s blood in certain circumstances.

According to a press release from the county prosecuting attorney’s office, Hawai‘i County recently implemented electronic search warrants in order to obtain alcohol and drug analysis in operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, negligent homicide and negligent injury cases. In the past, police officers would draft a written search warrant, meet with a judge in person to review the warrant application and then coordinate the suspect’s blood draw with medical staff.

“Electronic search warrants will streamline processes and provide law enforcement with critical and reliable evidence that may be lost if a warrant is not secured in a timely fashion,” said county Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen in the release. “Obtaining accurate blood alcohol concentration levels and evidence of drug use may be critical to successfully prosecute an impaired driving case. E-warrants are another valuable tool that law enforcement can use to address impaired driving, make our roadways safer and save lives.”