Breathalyzer Manipulation in DC DUI Cases
Police officers in Washington, DC receive training that allows them to spot those who make attempts to trick the breathalyzer test. A person that attempts to trick the breathalyzer test may attempt to blow around the tube or make it look as if they are giving a sample when they are not actually breathing into the breathalyzer. It is not a good idea to do anything to try and trick breathalyzer tests. An individual that has been asked to take a breathalyzer test should either refuse to perform the test or perform the test, but there is no in between. Whether or not a person gives a breath test is up to them based on their individual circumstances, but it should be one or the other.
Trying to trick a breathalyzer test can make the situation much worse in the eyes of the prosecutor who might be more eager to treat that case more harshly. It is always a wise decision to contact an attorney that is experienced in DC’s DUI laws when faced with possible DUI charges.
Blood Alcohol Content Test Types
In most situations, police will only ask a person to submit to one type of test to measure their blood alcohol content, also known as BAC, in a DUI case. A person may be asked to submit one of the following:
- Breath
- Blood
- Urine
Taking a breath test in most situations would mean that a person is only required to take that one test. In some situations police will ask a person to provide a breath sample and later ask for an additional test. This often occurs when a person performs a breathalyzer test and their alcohol levels come back lower than expected.
Unexpected test results may result in some manipulation by police officers who do not like the result they get from a breath test. An officer may request an additional BAC test if they believe the results will be more favorable for their case.
A person who has performed a breathalyzer test and is then asked to give a urine test should strongly consider whether or not doing so is in their best interest. They must consider the fact that police may be trying to maximize their evidence in an effort to build a stronger case against them.
Finding The Right Attorney
Not every attorney can handle a DUI case. DUIs have very specific procedures and there are issues unique to DUI cases in DC of which many attorneys may not be aware. It is not a good idea for someone to have a family lawyer handle their DUI case. This typically happens in an effort to cut costs but can yield deleterious results. No amount of money is worth getting a lawyer for a DUI case who does not handle DUI matters.
DUIs can have very serious consequences, including possible jail time and a permanent stain on a person’s criminal record. What makes matters worse is that these types of charges cannot be expunged. It is important to remember that trying to minimize cost by going with a family lawyer is not always best.
The first question a person should ask a lawyer when they are considering representation in a DUI case is, “Do you handle other DUI cases?” The second question a person should ask is, “Are they DUI cases in DC or are they mostly in other states?” Having a lawyer who not only handles DUI cases but handles them in the District of Columbia is the best way to ensure a high chance of favorable results.