For the first time, police agencies across Arizona can apply for warrants to draw blood from DUI suspects while still in the field, drastically reducing the amount of time it takes to obtain blood.
Law enforcement agencies in Maricopa County have been using the eWarrant system for four years or more.
It allows officers to obtain blood evidence before the alcohol starts to metabolize, experts said.
Previously, if a suspect was close to the legal limit, the time it took to obtain a warrant could cause the suspect's blood alcohol content to drop while waiting.
This holiday season, the eWarrant system is available to law enforcement agencies across the state.