According to an article in the Austin American Statesman, blood could soon be drawn at Central Booking at the Travis County Jail after county commissioners voted 4-0 to approve changes to an agreement between Travis County and the City of Austin. The Austin City Council is expected to consider the changes later this month. If the changes are accepted, Austin police officials will solicit bids for the phlebotomy services with a potential June start date for the new protocol. A law went into effect last year that expanded the circumstances in which blood draws or breath tests from DWI suspects would be required. Instances where the victims are injured and transported for medical care and where there is a child present in the vehicle of the suspect are now cause for mandatory blood draws and/or breath tests. Given these new guidelines, The Travis County Sheriff’s Office and Austin Police Department estimate that an additional 300-400 blood draws will be required on top of the 400-500 that occur each year. An experienced DWI attorney is crucial if you have been charged with drunk driving in Austin, or the surrounding counties. Take your fear out of the process by contacting Austin based DWI attorney, Kyle Lowe at (512) 750-5693.