Will Casper Be Seeing New DUI Laws?

Casper's Police Chief, Chris Walsh is pushing for a new city ordinance proposing mandatory jail time for convicted drunken drivers. The proposal would be similar to that of Laramie's new DUI laws past in January 2011.

Walsh's proposal is to not only require jail time but make it illegal for people suspected of DUI to refuse a blood test. His proposal is similar to Laramie's new DUI laws that were enacted in January. Laramie requires a minimum of seven days in jail if convicted.Walsh's proposal differs in that a search warrant must be obtained if the person refuses to testing.

A new state law, taking effect July 1st will require suspects to submit to breath, blood or urine tests. If one refuses to submit to testing a search warrant must be obtained via text message from judges. Last year Casper police made 643 DUI arrests and drunken drivers were responsible for 100 collisions.