News
More than 60 DWI Charges filed over Labor Day Weekend
Over 60 individuals were charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Montgomery County between 7 p.m. Friday, September 4, and Tuesday morning, September 8, following the Labor Day holiday weekend. The charges come amid increased DWI enforcement efforts across Montgomery County, including the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office-led No Refusal Task Force.
The DWI Task Force operated through Sunday night, bringing together law enforcement agencies from across Montgomery County. DWI enforcement continued throughout the Labor Day holiday after the Task Force operation concluded. These DWI charges include cases filed both during and after the Task Force’s operational period.
Participating law enforcement agencies included the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office; Texas Department of Public Safety; Montgomery County Constable’s Offices, Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; Conroe Police Department; Oak Ridge North Police Department; Roman Forest Police Department; Woodbranch Police Department; and Splendora Police Department. Supporting these enforcement efforts, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office No Refusal Blood Draw Program was in effect throughout the holiday weekend.
During No Refusal operations, when an officer develops probable cause to arrest a driver for DWI and the driver refuses to voluntarily provide a blood specimen, the officer may seek a search warrant. A judge independently reviews the warrant application and determines whether probable cause exists before a warrant may be issued.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to the judges who volunteered their time during the holiday weekend to review blood-warrant applications: Judge Phil Grant, 9th District Court; Judge Lisa Michalk, 221st District Court; Judge Kathleen Hamilton, 359th District Court; Judge Jennifer Robin, 410th District Court; Judge Patty Maginnis, 435th District Court; Judge Vince Santini, 457th District Court; Judge Donna Hansen, 523rd District Court; Judge John Hafley, County Court at Law No. 1; Judge Echo Hutson, County Court at Law No. 4; Judge Keith Stewart, County Court at Law No. 5; Associate Judge Jacqueline Bello, 221st District Court; and Associate Judge Jarrod Walker, 435th District Court.
Montgomery County District Attorney Michael R. Holley said:
“More than 60 DWI charges over one holiday weekend is a stark reminder that impaired driving remains a serious threat on our roadways. We are grateful to the law enforcement officers who worked throughout the weekend and to the judges who volunteered their time to independently review warrant applications. These men and women gave up time with their own families to help keep ours safe, and we sincerely thank them for their service. To everyone getting behind the wheel, our message is simple: plan ahead, make a safe choice, and never drive impaired.”
Taylor S.E. Vanegas, Chief Prosecutor of the Vehicular Crimes Unit, emphasized the importance of proactive DWI enforcement in preventing serious and fatal crashes:
“In Vehicular Crimes, we know the difference between a DWI and a life-changing crash is nothing but luck. In a moment, the lives of innocent folks who were in the wrong place at the wrong time are changed forever. These enforcement efforts are about intervening before that moment happens, so the citizens of Montgomery County don’t have to roll the dice when they go for a drive.”
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office reminds drivers that impaired driving is 100 percent preventable. Before drinking, make a plan for a safe ride home.
Source: Laura Smith, Chief of Communications, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office
