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Community Corner

Where Will Police Stop You on St. Patrick's Day? They're Not Telling

No-Refusal Weekend: Kane County State's Attorney Joe Mahon: "I will not say which municipalities will participate. I only will announce when we will have the No-Refusal operation."

Want to know where police will be doing random stops on St. Patrick's Day weekend?

You might get a Breathalyzer test, but don't hold your breath waiting for an answer to that one.

Kane County law-enforcement agencies will work with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office on a No-Refusal operation during the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

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“This office has a responsibility to prosecute DUI offenders, and to educate the public not to drive when they drink,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said. “As has been our practice, I will not say which municipalities will participate. I only will announce when we will have the No-Refusal operation.

“We believe that in past No-Refusal operations, prior publicity has helped to reduce drunken driving. Our goal is to keep Kane County roads safe. Have fun, but don’t drive drunk,” McMahon said.

Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The initiative is designed to thwart suspected drunken drivers who refuse to submit to a breath test after a DUI arrest. Through the No Refusal strategy, police officers are able to expedite the DUI booking process. With guidance from an assistant state’s attorney, police officers can quickly obtain a search warrant to compel a DUI suspect to submit to a lawfully requested blood or breath test as required by Illinois’ Implied Consent statute.

Illinois courts have consistently held that there is no right to refuse chemical testing when probable cause exists. Anyone who declines to submit to chemical testing after a search warrant has been obtained could face additional charges.

The operation will be the 12th No-Refusal since the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office began the program in 2008. In the 11 prior No-Refusals, 105 drivers have been charged. Most have pleaded guilty to DUI, although many cases are pending.

It will be the third No-Refusal held in conjunction with St. Patrick’s Day. In 2009, three drivers were charged in the operation held March 14 and March 17 in  St. Charles. In 2012, 22 drivers were charged in the operation held March 16-17 in Aurora, Batavia, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elgin, Geneva, Gilberts, Montgomery, St. Charles, South Elgin, and West Dundee, with assistance from Illinois State Police District 2 and the Kane County Sheriff.

 

SOURCE: Kane County State's Attorney's Office

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