How Will SB 1886 Affect DWI Blood Test Evidence in Texas?

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Key Takeaway:
Senate Bill 1886 allows peace officers to execute blood draw warrants across county lines in DWI and intoxication-related cases. The goal is to reduce delays and strengthen evidence collection.

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What the Law Says

Under SB 1886, peace officers no longer face county-bound restrictions when carrying out a valid blood draw warrant. As long as the warrant is issued by a judge with jurisdiction, officers can enforce it—even outside their home county.

The law applies to intoxication-related charges such as:

• DWI (Driving While Intoxicated)

• DWI with a Child Passenger

• BWI (Boating While Intoxicated)

• Intoxication Assault

• Intoxication Manslaughter

This change ensures that evidence can be collected quickly—before blood alcohol content (BAC) levels drop and weaken the case.

Why It Matters

Blood-alcohol evidence is time-sensitive. Before this law, jurisdictional limits sometimes slowed down warrants, giving impaired drivers a window to avoid or weaken criminal charges.

With SB 1886 in place:

• Faster enforcement. Officers can act without waiting for county-based restrictions.

• Stronger cases. Prosecutors have better access to reliable BAC evidence.

• Fewer loopholes. Drivers can’t exploit delays to escape accountability.

What Drivers Should Know

• Refusing a breath test doesn’t prevent a blood test. Officers can quickly get warrants and enforce them across county lines.

• Evidence will be stronger. Courts are more likely to admit timely blood results.

• Civil liability still applies. Even if criminal charges are strengthened, victims of drunk driving crashes can still file civil claims to recover damages.

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The Bigger Picture

SB 1886 is part of a broader trend in Texas toward tougher DWI laws. Alongside:

• SB 826 (raising DWIs in school zones to felonies)

• HB 2017 (longer sentences in intoxication manslaughter cases for undocumented immigrants)

…this law reflects lawmakers’ focus on strengthening penalties and accountability in impaired driving cases.

👉 Want to see how this law fits into the bigger picture? Check out our related post: Six New Texas Laws Drivers Should Know (Effective September 1, 2025)

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