DUI + DWI Testing for Alcohol Level
Free Case Evaluation
Contact Us
"*" indicates required fields
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) 994-6744.
Recent Blog Posts
Can You Get a Plea Deal in a Minnesota DWI Case? What to Know
Facing a DWI in Minnesota is stressful, and one of the first questions many people ask is whether the case can be negotiated. The answer is often yes, but the available options depend on the charge, the evidence, prior impaired-driving history, and the prosecutor. ...
Can Body Camera Footage Help Your Minnesota DWI Case?
At Sieben Edmunds Miller, we know video can be one of the most useful pieces of evidence in a Minnesota DWI case. A police report reflects the officer’s written account, while body-camera, squad-camera, and station recordings may provide a contemporaneous record of...
What Evidence Is Used in a Minnesota DWI Case?
When you are accused of driving while impaired in Minnesota, the evidence can include far more than a breath-test number. Prosecutors may rely on driving conduct, officer observations, body-camera and squad-camera video, field sobriety testing, a preliminary breath...
DWI Causing Injury in Minnesota: What You Need to Know About Criminal Vehicular Operation
By Samuel Edmunds, Criminal Defense Attorney, Sieben Edmunds Miller PLLC A DWI charge is serious enough on its own. But when someone else is injured in a crash, the case becomes significantly more complicated. In addition to DWI allegations, prosecutors may pursue...
Can a DWI Be Reduced in Minnesota? When Charges May Be Lowered
By Samuel Edmunds, Criminal Defense Attorney, Sieben Edmunds Miller PLLC At Sieben Edmunds Miller, we understand that facing a drunk driving charge can feel like an uphill battle. Between the potential for jail time, heavy fines, and the loss of your driving...
Can You Beat a DWI in Minnesota If Your BAC Was Under .08?
Most drivers assume the .08 blood alcohol limit works like a legal safe zone — stay below it, and you're in the clear. It's a reasonable assumption. It's also wrong. In Minnesota, you can be arrested, charged, and convicted of DWI with a BAC below .08. Here's what...
Free Case Evaluation
Contact Us
"*" indicates required fields
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.