Breath, Blood, and Urine Blood Alcohol Tests
Here are three types of alcohol tests utilized by law enforcement: breath, blood, and urine tests. Breath tests are the most commonly used, but they tend to be more flawed than blood tests because they don’t account for environmental factors and differences between individuals. Blood tests can be more accurate, but there is also room for error if they are handled incorrectly in the lab. Urine tests are the least reliable, but are also still accepted as an acceptable testing method.
While it would be great to have the choice of which blood alcohol test you take, it is the police officer’s decision which of the three tests will be offered, not yours. In Minnesota, it is considered a crime for someone to refuse to take a breath test. However, it is not a crime if someone refuses a blood or urine test unless they refuse to do both. In other words, someone could refuse to take a blood test, but then they must submit to a urine test and vice versa.
The Unreliability of Blood Alcohol Tests in Minnesota
There are numerous reasons that each of the three different blood alcohol tests could give flawed results or be rendered inadmissible. In order for there to be a valid sample, officers must follow specific and rigid procedures to ensure that each of the tests gives an accurate result. Observation periods and collection procedures can be extremely important to determine if the test was given correctly.
If the police do not follow the correct procedures while attempting to obtain your blood alcohol concentration, the results of the test may be invalid.
Minnesota and Wisconsin Blood Alcohol Test Attorneys
When you’re facing a DUI or DWI charge, it is important to have a lawyer who is knowledgeable about the different blood alcohol content tests and testing procedures. This attorney can explain some of the complexities of blood alcohol concentration testing and make sure you understand your rights.
Get a Free Case Evaluation
We are here to help. Let us evaluate your case for you. Free of charge – no obligation. Complete our free case evaluation form or call us directly at (651) 323-2464.
Recent Blog Posts
4 Things You Need to Know About Your DWI
If you or a loved one is facing a DWI or an alcohol-related driving offense, a thousand questions are probably running through your mind. This article is designed to guide you to ask the important questions. Starting down the path to success with your DWI early on can...
Driving in Excess of 100 MPH in Minnesota: What You Need to Know
If you are anything like me, the thrill of driving fast on an open road can be hard to resist. But, if you are caught speeding in Minnesota, you may be ticketed and subjected to high fines and other penalties. And if you drive over 100 miles per hour, the consequences...
How A Second DUI Offense Charge Can Affect Your Future
The term “repeat offender” may conjure up images of hardened criminals in a prison yard, but that’s not totally accurate. Technically, a repeat offender is anyone who has been arrested for or committed a crime more than once. If you’ve been arrested for your second...
Top 3 Myths About DWIs in Minnesota
3 Common Myths about Minnesota DWIs If you or a loved one has recently been arrested or charged with a DWI, a million questions are probably running through your head.Will I get thrown in jail? How long will I lose my license? Will I get kicked off my insurance?How...
MN Judge Orders State to Disclose Breath Test Instrument’s Source Code
Minnesota uses the DataMaster DMT with Fuel Cell Option breath test instrument to test DWI suspects all across the state. On behalf of our clients, we want to know whether the machine works right. So, we have demanded that the prosecutors on our DWI cases provide us...
6 Common Misconceptions About Minnesota DUI Law
Driving under the influence can certainly be dangerous and illegal if one is over the legal limit. With that being said, many drivers are unaware of all the ways they can be charged with a DUI and what the repercussions may be. Some people believe you can only get a...
Free Case Evaluation
Contact Info
Note: The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.