Rutherford County was one of eight across the state targeted by the Tennessee Highway Patrol for no refusal D-U-I enforcement during the recent New Year's holiday. The T-H-P reports 68 arrests for D-U-I and 306 seat belt violations in all eight counties during the New Year's holiday period, which was 102 hours this year.

During "No Refusal" enforcement periods, like this holiday weekend, the Tennessee Highway Patrol typically has a Tennessee judge (or judges) on call. If an arrestee refuses to submit to a chemical test, and if the judge determines that the requisite legal grounds exist, a search warrant can be obtained that allows the officer to obtain a chemical test (most often a blood sample), even over the objection or refusal of the motorist placed under arrest.