According to the Montgomery County District Attorney, Brett Ligon, one crime frequently tops the list of most committed crimes in Montgomery County: DWI and other vehicular crimes. Another sad fact is that the most likely cause of violent death in this county is a motor vehicle. In fact, the number of vehicular fatalities has historically been between 64 and 74 while the number of murders has been between 10 and 15 according to FBI and other statistics. Because of these significant problems, Ligon has instituted several policies and procedures designed to make DWI law enforcement and prosecution much more effective in the fight against impaired and reckless drivers. One of the District Attorney’s programs is the nationally recognized No Refusal Program. Because we are entering the time of year when families spend more time together celebrating the seasonal holidays, the District Attorney announced today that the No Refusal Program will be in effect every weekend for the remainder of the year.
Ligon states that this is a period of the year that should be filled with fun and family and that nothing can ruin it faster than a drunk driver striking a car filled with innocent victims. To help prevent the commission of DWI, the No Refusal prosecutors will be working closely with law enforcement to ensure that the additional patrols on the streets this time of year are being supported with better crime fighting resources. A Texas Department of Transportation grant and existing county resources fund the increased efforts with no increased costs to the county. Ligon notes that alcohol and drug impaired driving crashes increase significantly this time of year and it is critical to get the message out that law enforcement will be out in greater numbers in conjunction with the No Refusal Program. Ligon states that by warning people in advance of the No Refusal Program, he hopes that people will make smart decisions before getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and being involved in a tragedy.
Ligon states that the program is having a very good effect on public safety in the county. He notes that Intoxication Manslaughter charges have dropped off by approximately 70%, Lake Conroe has seen no boating crashes involving alcohol and death for three years now, and that the refusal rate has dropped from 45% to 25% during program hours resulting in better evidence of guilt or innocence to his prosecutors, judges, and juries. However, Ligon states that the deterrent effect of the program is its ability to make potential suspects think twice before driving impaired. In an effort to further reduce impaired driving fatalities, No Refusal prosecutors will be available at random periods of the holiday season to draft and present search warrants to judges for review. Randon enforcement efforts could start as early as tomorrow. Ligon states that the announced No refusal activities are beneficial from a notice and deterrence perspective, but that to better deter drivers from committing this crime, a potential suspect should not believe that warrants will only be obtained during official hours. Warrants could be sought for any DWI driver at any time after they have lawfully been arrested for DWI.
Vehicular Crimes: DWI, FSRA, Evading, etc.
Drugs: possession of Illicit Prescriptions, Dangerous Drugs, Controlled Substances, and Marihuana
Theft: Forgery, Theft, Shoplifting, etc.
Assault: includes felony offenses and domestic violence
Burglary: Habitation, Buildings, Motor Vehicles
