When you have been pulled over and are suspected of drunk driving, you could be asked to provide a breath sample. Misconceptions exist about what your rights are and what these types of tests are. Misunderstandings can lead to more problems, especially if you are facing DUI charges in Gwinnett County Georgia
At Brett Willis Law, our firm specializes in DUI defense in Gwinnett County. We help our clients understand all aspects of their drunk driving case. We believe informed clients make better decisions about their DUI case. If you have questions or want to speak to a defense lawyer in Gwinnett County, Georgia, call us at (770) 249-4405 to schedule a free consultation.
What Are Breath Tests?
Police officers use breath tests in roadside testing and following arrests to help determine whether an alleged drunk driver was under the influence of alcohol while operating a vehicle. These tests can be used for operators of cars and trucks as well as operators of motorcycles, boats, and other vehicles as defined by their respective state.
There are two different types of breath tests: the preliminary breath test (PBT) (also known as preliminary alcohol screenings, which the officer holds in his hand while on-scene) and the breathalyzer (the machine the officer wants you to blow into back at the police station).
Both "types" are often simply called "breath tests," and that's where the confusion comes in. By referring to both as breath tests, people assume they are the same thing, but they are not. Each is administered for different reasons and purposes.
Preliminary Breath Tests
A preliminary breath test or alcohol screening is a breath alcohol test conducted using a portable breath machine in the field, meaning on the side of the road during a traffic stop or DUI investigation. The PBT measures a person's breath alcohol content (BrAC). Portable breath test results are inadmissible in court because they are unreliable.
PBTs are administered when a police officer has reasonable grounds to believe you are unlawfully intoxicated. Maybe your speech was slurred or your eyes were bloodshot, and so the officer asks to take a breath sample. If you fail the PBT, that could be enough probable cause to arrest you for a drunk driving offense. A PBT result can also be used in conjunction with a failed field sobriety test as sufficient probable cause to arrest you.
Breathalyzers
After an arrest for a drunk driving offense, you may be asked to take another test. Typically, this is a chemical test using a breathalyzer. The breathalyzer is not a portable machine and produces results that are more accurate and can be admitted into court as evidence against you. Approved breathalyzer machines are subject to calibration requirements established by state or federal law.
Do I Have a Right to Refuse a Breath Test in Gwinnett County?
Absolutely, yes.
Whether you are in Gwinnett County or anywhere else in Georgia, you can refuse a breath test in either situation. Indeed, we believe you should always refuse any requests for your blood, breath, or urine.
Keep in mind, though, that you should be ready for consequences stemming from the refusal. In Georgia, if you refuse a request for a breath sample (or blood or urine), the police officer will likely suspend your license for 12 months. Call us immediately if this has already happened to you, because we know how to help you get your license back through the use of an ALS appeal.
Georgia has an implied consent law. This laws basically say that you implicitly agree to obey the rules of the road when you get a driver's license. As such, you also implicitly agree to any chemical tests (breath, blood, or urine tests) in exchange for the privilege of operating a vehicle in the state. If you refuse, the officer can take your license and give you what's called a "form 1205." This is a notice that your license has been suspended. In Georgia, you do not have to be charged and convicted of a drunk driving offense to have your license suspended -- you just need to refuse a breath test.
What's more, in Georgia, your refusal may be used against you in court as evidence that you were drunk driving. Note, however, that the the Georgia Supreme Court recently held that Georgia's Self-Incrimination Clause prohibits the use of evidence of your refusal if the officer requested that you provide either a breath sample or a urine sample. In other words, your refusal to take a blood test is still admissible against you at trial.
If you were arrested in Gwinnett County, you should speak to a drunk driving defense lawyer who handles both administrative and criminal DUI cases. Call us now to get working on saving your license and avoiding a DUI conviction.
Common Problems with the Breath Tests in Georgia
Breath tests using portable machines are known to be unreliable, and that's why they are typically not admissible in court. Breath tests using breathalyzers at the police station, however, are admissible. They, too, can also be unreliable and become inadmissible under certain situations or circumstances.
Problems with breathalyzers can be categorized as those resulting from the testing device or machine, the individual operating the device, or the test sample.
Problems with the Breathalyzer Device
- Improper calibration
- Incorrect chemical solutions
- Inappropriate modification
- Faulty programming
- Broken or otherwise not maintained properly
Issues with the Administration of the Test
- Improper instructions or methodology
- Failure to follow testing protocols
- Testing performed by an untrained person
Causes of Improper Breathalyzer Test Readings
- Pre-existing conditions or other medical conditions suffered by the test taker
- Medications, foods, or drinks
- Residual alcohol from the test taker's mouth
- Certain diets, like Keto
Breath tests can be challenged. A criminal defense lawyer can file motions to suppress or exclude the results. If successful, this could result in dismissal of the charges or an acquittal.
Five Ways We Challenge DUI Breath Tests in Gwinnett County
A breath test is often a substantial part of the prosecution's case involving DUI offenses. For that reason, it is essential to ensure that a breath test was performed correctly and the results are accurate. DUI defense attorneys who have been well trained and have experience in these cases can identify a problem with a breath test and take proper action to suppress it as evidence.
At Brett Willis Law, we can take any of the following actions, depending on the specific facts and circumstances of your case:
- Attack the reliability of the breath test. Many reasons exist why we may not be able to rely on the results of a breath test, like a faulty machine, improper administration, or health issues with the test taker.
- Prove device was not properly maintained. The date and time of repairs and maintenance, as well as the nature and extent of and who performed the maintenance and repairs must be logged.
- Prove there was a lack of training or an operator's error. Police must be trained in order to conduct breath tests. An untrained or uncertified police officer may not properly administer the test.
- Prove records were not properly maintained. Records should be kept to show proper calibration and maintenance, and failure to keep those records updated can be used to prove the device was not properly calibrated or maintained as the law requires.
During the discovery phase of your criminal case, we will obtain the information and evidence we need to support arguments against the breath test's admissibility.
What if the police officer did not read me my Miranda Rights?
If the officer did not read you your Miranda rights, this can affect the admissibility of your breath test (and other statements you may have made). Read our Miranda Rights page for more information.
Contact a DUI Defense Lawyer in Gwinnett County Today
You can have your day in court to challenge DUI charges regardless if you took and failed a breath test or refused one. With the right DUI defense lawyer in Gwinnett County, you can be successful. Contact us today by calling us at (770) 249-4405 or filling out an online form to schedule a free consultation. We will review your case and discuss your best legal options.