There’s no worse feeling than seeing those red and blue lights in your rearview mirror. And if you blow over the legal limit, it can feel your world is coming to an end. However, you may question whether you had too much to drink before getting behind the wheel.
Depending on the circumstances, you could get your case dropped. According to a report from the New York Times, while Breathalyzers are the “bedrock of the criminal justice system,” many are finicky and unreliable.
Several things can offset it
Whether it’s due to the quality of the product or poor upkeep by local police departments, these are a few things that could make a Breathalyzer’s reading inaccurate:
- Foreign chemicals: Alcohol isn’t just in beer or liquor. If you freshened up before going out on the town, you might have used mouth wash before meeting up with friends. Unfortunately, some Breathalyzers may pick that up and contribute to your score.
- Software malfunctions: Breathalyzers, like most modern technology, runs on computer software. And depending on the quality of the model, some software is more prone to viruses and other things that can result in errors.
- Improper calibration: Even if a police officer has reason to believe you’re driving under the influence, they are still prone to human error. In some cases, an officer may not take the proper steps to get the Breathalyzer to work.
DUI charges can leave drivers in a tight spot. Even if your results aren’t accurate, police officers may still build a case against you. Luckily, an experienced and aggressive attorney can help defend your case and keep a black mark off your record.
