Reasons to Consider Professional Review of Breath and Blood Tests
Chemical test results carry significant weight in DUI proceedings, and even small procedural or technical errors can change the course of a case. A professional review can identify issues such as improper instrument calibration, operator mistakes, or flaws in sample handling that may render results unreliable. For residents of Baldwyn, taking steps early to evaluate testing procedures, administrative implications, and potential defenses increases the chances of reducing penalties, preserving driving privileges, or achieving a favorable agreement with prosecutors.
Beyond the immediate case, a chemical test challenge can limit long-term consequences like license suspension or conviction-related impacts on employment and insurance. People facing DUI charges benefit from counsel who can coordinate requests for records, explain legal options, and represent them at hearings. Even when test results exist, undermining their reliability through documented procedural flaws or alternative medical explanations can change prosecutorial strategy and often leads to more favorable resolutions than accepting initial charges without scrutiny.
Common Situations That Lead People to Challenge Breath or Blood Tests
Common circumstances prompting challenges include missing or incomplete calibration logs for breath instruments, unexplained gaps in chain of custody for blood samples, improper administration of tests by officers, and medical conditions that could affect results. Other triggers are long delays between driving and testing, inconsistent laboratory procedures, or any evidence of sample contamination. When any of these issues are present, a detailed review is warranted to determine whether the chemical evidence can be contested and how that contestation should be framed in court or in administrative proceedings.
Missing Calibration or Maintenance Records
If calibration or maintenance logs for a breath testing device are missing, incomplete, or show irregularities, the reliability of any reading from that device is suspect. Records should show routine checks and adherence to manufacturer schedules. Absent or faulty logs can be strong grounds for challenging the admissibility of test results. Attorneys will seek these records early and may file motions to exclude breath test results where necessary documentation is not available or indicates the device may not have been functioning properly at the time of testing.
Breaks in Chain of Custody for Blood Samples
Chain of custody issues arise when documentation does not account for each transfer of a blood sample or when storage conditions are unclear. Such breaks can create doubt about whether the sample tested is the same one collected, or whether contamination or mishandling occurred. Challenging chain of custody can lead a court to give less weight to lab results or to exclude them entirely. Attorneys scrutinize every entry and transfer to identify inconsistencies that undermine the prosecution’s reliance on blood evidence.
Medical Conditions or Medications That Affect Results
Certain medical conditions, over-the-counter medications, or dietary factors can influence breath or blood readings, and these factors deserve careful investigation. Conditions such as acid reflux or certain metabolic disorders can produce substances that breath machines misread, while some medications can elevate blood levels or interact with testing methods. Gathering medical records and consulting with appropriate medical professionals helps determine whether non-alcohol-related factors could explain an unusual result and supports a defense that the chemical test does not reliably indicate impairment.
