Getting a DUI charge can completely turn your life around, and a conviction may result in criminal penalties, steep fines, loss of driving privileges, and long-term impacts on your record. One of the most common tools law enforcement uses during a DUI arrest is the breathalyzer. While breath test results can play a central role in a DUI case, their accuracy is not always as clear-cut as it seems.
As the top DWI lawyers in Clearwater, the team with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan is prepared to help you understand how breathalyzers work, and how they can be used during court proceedings.
Understanding Breathalyzers
A breathalyzer is a device that estimates blood alcohol content by measuring the amount of alcohol in a person’s breath. The science is based on the principle that alcohol in the bloodstream passes into the lungs and is exhaled in measurable amounts.
In Florida, law enforcement currently uses the Intoxilyzer 8000 breath testing device. Because of the size of these machines, breath tests frequently occur a significant amount of time after driving because the machines are most commonly kept at the police station or jail..
Scientific Accuracy of Breathalyzer
Manufacturers often claim their devices can measure BAC within a margin of error as small as plus or minus 0.005 percent. But, real-world conditions can affect this precision. Even simple factors such as temperature changes, poor device maintenance, and pure human error can influence readings.
One of the most common issues is improper calibration. Breathalyzers must be regularly calibrated to maintain accuracy, and a machine that has not been properly maintained can produce unreliable results. Residual mouth alcohol can also affect results. This can occur if a person uses mouthwash, breath spray, or has consumed any amount of alcohol shortly before testing, which can cause artificially high readings.
Certain medical conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and diabetes, can also affect breath test results by introducing alcohol-like compounds into the breath sample. Even diet and medication can have an impact. For example, low-carb diets can produce ketones, which may be misread by some devices, and some medications can cause chemical interference. These factors mean that a BAC reading, especially if it is close to the legal limit, should not be taken at face value without further examination.
What to Do After a DUI Arrest
If you have been arrested for DUI, it is important not to assume that the breath test results are final. You have the right to challenge the evidence against you. Attorney Tim Sullivan routinely analyzes the maintenance and calibration records for the breathalyzer used in DUI cases. In fact, attorneys from throughout the State have retained Mr. Sullivan to review breath test records.. It is also important to preserve any evidence that could be helpful to your defense, such as receipts, medical records, or witness statements from the time of your arrest.
More importantly, you should contact one of the Top DWI lawyers in Clearwater with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan as soon as possible. Challenging license suspension does come with a tight timeline, and you should act fast to set yourself up for the most favorable outcome.
We are here for you. To get your complimentary case consultation with a leading DWI attorney in Clearwater, call The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan at (727) 291-9717.