Breath and Blood Testing, and the Effects of No Refusal Programs on the Court

Presented at the Winter Regional Judicial Conference by
Judge David D. Garcia and Judge Patrice McDonald.

1966, the U.S. Supreme Court in Schmerber v. California held that drawing a suspect’s blood did not violate a defendant’s 5th Amendment privilege; and further, if drawn pursuant to an otherwise valid search warrant, does not violate the 4th and 14th Amendments.  384 U.S. 757, 16 L. Continue reading

Interlock 301: New Laws and Trends Regarding Ordering and Ensuring Compliance of Ignition Interlocks

Presented at the Winter Regional Judicial Conference by
Judge Diane Bull.


When is a judge legally required to order ignition interlock in Texas? When is it discretionary? Who is responsible for ensuring compliance? To view Judge Bull's presentation as well as her helpful bench sheet regarding interlock and occupational driver's license requirements, Continue reading

DWI Newsletter



In the Spring 2012 Edition of the DWI Newsletter will be found a report from Judge Mark Atkinson, Judicial Resource Liaison and Holly Doran, TxDOT Traffic Safety Grant Program, Program Director, regarding their activities engaged in on behalf of the Program... Continue reading

Recent News

Eliminating Drunk Driving for Good

(WGBA-TV, 05/16/2012)

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - What if there was a way to prevent drunk driving entirely?  New technology could make that a reality.

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Marijuana DUI standard dies a 3rd time in CO

(Boston.com, 05/15/2012)

DENVER—A marijuana blood limit for drivers was rejected Tuesday for a third time in Colorado, as lawmakers from both parties argued about how to fairly gauge whether someone is too stoned to get behind the…

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Never Get Drunk Again? Yale Researchers Developing ‘Stay-Sober’ Pill

(CBS Connecticut, 05/14/2012)

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CBS Connecticut) – An experimental drug could stop people from getting drunk off alcohol and thus helping heavy drinkers wean off alcohol.

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More News Stories >>

Upcoming Conferences

DWI College for Court Teams and Student Conduct Officers

July 30- August 01, 2012

Omni Downtown | Austin, TX

All members of DWI Court Teams are invited to attend: judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation officers, treatment providers, court administrators, law enforcement officers, researchers and evaluators. Teams may also attend without their judges.

Cost: No Cost To Attend

View More Information >> Register >>

Annual Judicial Education Conference

September 09-12, 2012

Westin Galleria | Houston, TX

The Traffic Safety Grant will sponsor three one-hour DWI breakout sessions.

Cost: $0.00

View More Information >> Register >>

Judges Only



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Judicial Resource Liaison

DWI Judicial Resource Liaison

Judge Mark D. Atkinson

Judge Atkinson served 24 years on the bench presiding over more than 100,000 criminal cases, 20,000 of those being DWIs. Since 1988, Judge Atkinson implemented creative DWI sentencing practices, particularly with regard to repeat offenders. Many of those sentencing practices are similar to those currently used in today’s DWI Courts.… Read more >>

Program Director

Program Director

Holly Doran

The Texas Center for the Judiciary’s Traffic Safety Grant is pleased to introduce Ms. Holly Doran as the TxDOT Program Director.

Holly is a native of Southern California; however, she now considers Austin home. She first moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas, where she played volleyball… Read more >>

PRIVACY POLICY COPYRIGHT TEXAS CENTER FOR THE JUDICIARY 2008-2012