Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious crime with severe repercussions. If you are pulled over and accused of DUI, you may be requested to take a breathalyzer test. However, the breathalyzer is not the only test used to determine drunkenness. In this article, we will look at all of the different DUI tests utilized and examine some of the possible defenses if you are charged with DUI. You can consult a Fort Collins dwi attorney for more information.
Breathalyzers
Breathalyzers are the most used form of DUI test. They function by detecting the level of alcohol in your breath. However, breathalyzers are not ideal and can be incorrect for several causes, including:
- Calibration errors
Breathalyzers should be calibrated regularly to guarantee accuracy. If a breathalyzer is not correctly calibrated, it may produce erroneous results.
- Interference from other substances
Certain substances, such as mouthwash and antacids, might interfere with breathalyzer results.
- Medical conditions
Certain medical problems might alter the way your body absorbs and discharges alcohol, resulting in erroneous breathalyzer findings.
Blood tests
Blood tests are a more accurate approach to determining blood alcohol content (BAC) than breathalyzers. They are, however, more intrusive, requiring blood to be drawn from a vein. Blood tests are commonly utilized when a breathalyzer test is unavailable or the findings of a breathalyzer test are doubtful.
Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs)
Field sobriety tests (FSTs) are a set of physical tests administered by law enforcement officials to determine a person’s degree of drunkenness. These tests are not ideal and may be wrong for a variety of reasons, including:
- Nerve damage
Nerve injury might make it harder to perform FSTs correctly.
- Anxiety
Anxiety might also make it harder to complete FSTs correctly.
- Lack of training
Law enforcement officials are not always appropriately trained to give FSTs.
Other DUI tests
In addition to the tests described above, there are a variety of other DUI tests that may be employed, such as urine testing and oral fluid tests. These tests are less common than breathalyzers, blood tests, and FSTs, although they can be useful in specific instances.
Defenses against DUI charges
If you are charged with DUI, you may be able to use one of several defenses. Some such defenses are:
- Challenging the stop
If the police officer has no probable cause to pull you over, the evidence acquired during the stop, including any DUI tests, may be inadmissible in court.
- Challenging the test results
As previously stated, not all DUI tests are flawless and might be erroneous. You can hire an attorney to appeal the findings of your DUI tests.
- Refusal to submit to a test
Refusing a DUI test can result in license suspension, but it does not guarantee that you will be convicted of a DUI.
