Police now using ‘e warrants’ in impaired driving cases

Hawaii County has recently implemented the use of electronic search warrants — also known as “e-warrants” — to expedite the process to secure a warrant to draw a suspect’s blood in DUI, negligent homicide and negligent injury cases, Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen said in a Thursday statement.

In the past, police officers would draft a written search warrant, meet with a judge in person to review the warrant application, and then coordinate the suspect’s blood draw with medical staff.

“Electronic search warrants will streamline processes and provide law enforcement with critical and reliable evidence that may be lost if a warrant is not secured in a timely fashion,” Waltjen said. “Obtaining accurate blood- alcohol concentration levels and evidence of drug use may be critical to successfully prosecute an impaired driving case. E-warrants are another valuable tool that law enforcement can use toaddress impaired driving, make our roadways safer, and save lives.”