Orange County DUI Breathalyzer Lawyers

Breathalyzer

A breathalyzer is a device that is used by law enforcement officials to determine a driver's blood alcohol content (BAC) from a breath sample. Anyone who has been involved in a DUI traffic stop is likely familiar with the device, which is a commonly used standard by law enforcement officials to arrest people for drunk driving. However, what many people are not aware of is that these devices have come under scrutiny as being an inexact way to measure a person's breath alcohol levels.

The breathalyzer works by taking air in that a person blows out into the device and, then calculates a breath alcohol reading. This reading is used by the courts to establish a driver's level of intoxication. A skilled drunk driving attorney in Orange County knows there are many issues that relate to the results of these breath tests that can result in incorrect charges. One of the most basic concerns relating to breathalyzer test results is that there are several "false flags" that can artificially raise a person's results. These factors include certain kinds of gastrointestinal conditions as well as other situations where hygiene products, food, or medications throw off alcohol readings in a person's mouth and/or windpipe.

"Partition ratios" have also been discussed recently, as scientists have discovered that breathalyzers often don't work precisely the same way for every person due to a variety of factors. In general, some of the recently conducted scientific research suggests that the standard range of breathalyzer test results is not precise enough to be effective in determining a person's true level of intoxication. This has prompted the legal community to look into how this research may affect the judicial system in relation to DUI convictions.

Another important issue with breathalyzer testing is the issue of technical errors. As it is with any other machine, the alcohol level tester is prone to certain malfunctions and errors. Additionally, certain kinds of breathalyzers use different types of sensors to determine a person's BAC. These sensors can be prone to contamination and interference from other substances besides breath alcohol. The sensors also require recalibration or replacement after a certain amount of time in order for results to be accurate. If this is not done when appropriate, the results of a breathalyzer may be incorrect.

Whatever your situation, you need sound legal advice following a drunk driving arrest in California. A skilled Orange County DUI defense lawyer with experience handling similar cases can carefully examine the circumstances of your arrest to determine whether there were any errors. At Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP, our attorneys know what to look for to find whether a breathalyzer test was properly administered and whether the results of the test were accurate. With experience as former DUI prosecutors and DUI arrest/prosecution procedure instructors to local law enforcement, our lawyers have solid, unmatched knowledge of DUI law. We can help you understand the severity of the charges made against you as well as advise you on the best course of action for your specific situation. To find out more, call our law offices at 866-299-4111 today.