Pattonville Grad Argued U.S. Supreme Court Case On DUI Blood Tests This Week

The U.S. Supreme Court only hears a select number of cases each year, but this week, a Pattonville High School alum had the chance to make an argument in one.

Jack Koester, who graduated from Pattonville in 1995, is now Assistant Cape Girardeau County Prosecutor. He was there Wednesday because of a 2010 case that calls into question the ability of authorities to call for blood tests of suspected drunk drivers without a court order when suspects refuse to allow the test.

As The Huffington Post reported, 

"The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a lower court order that threw out the results of the blood test. The state high court said the blood test violated the Constitution's prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures. Police need a warrant to take a suspect's blood except when a delay could threaten a life or destroy potential evidence, the court said."

The Southeast Missourian reported a decision could come by June. 

"I practiced as often as I could," Koester told the paper. "You think you're about as ready as you're going to be and it's still just a very daunting experience."

The newspaper reported he was interrupted by questions from the bench before finishing his first sentence.