Princeton New Jersey Breathalyzer Test Attorneys
New Jersey Breathalyzer Tests
Breathalyzers are machines used by police to estimate the blood alcohol content (BAC) of people suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. These breath tests do not measure the blood alcohol content directly, however, and instead they infer alcohol content from people who blow into the machines. There are hand held breath test machines and ones used in police stations.
Despite several attempts to ban the tests altogether, breathalyzer and breath test results remain accepted as valid legal evidence in New Jersey's DWI trials. There are many factors surrounding the use of these breath tests, the people who administered them and the manner in which it was administered that may lead to the results being not legally admissible in some cases.
As recently as late 2005 there were several machines which were tested and showed that they were giving false readings in breath test cases throughout New Jersey. While their use and results remain one of the most contested legal battles in the arena of DUI cases in New Jersey, they are still one of the most often used elements the state presents in a DWI case. People refusing to give breath samples to police face charges under state law.
There are many problems with breath tests, however. The main issue with breathalyzers is that they do not only measure drinking alcohol but also include several other types of alcohol compounds commonly found in the human mouth and breath. As the machine measures these common and legal elements it reads the BAC at a much higher level than it actually is.
Certain elements in the air can also get into these machines and cause it to give a faulty reading regarding blood alcohol levels in people who are blowing into them. Other factors can include certain people with medical conditions who give false readings, temperature or weather conditions that can cause breathalyzers to malfunction and false ratio readings that give an overestimation of the actual blood alcohol in a suspected New Jersey DWI case.
One of the most common errors is during the administration of a breath test by an arresting officer. Because these breathalyzers are notoriously unreliable it is a good idea to have your Princeton breathalyzer test attorney closely examine the results of your test and the methods employed by the police giving them.
The offices of Lependorf & Silverstein have years of experience in dealing with breathalyzer results throughout New Jersey. While our office is in Princeton we can handle cases throughout the state including Newark, Jersey City, Atlantic City, Paterson, and Elizabeth. Our DUI attorneys offer free consultations on all potential cases and look forward to hearing from you.
If you or a loved one has been accused or arrested for a DWI in New Jersey, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.