Portable Breath Testing Devices vs. Breathalyzers

 

When you are facing a DUI charge, you will probably learn that not all breathalyzers (breath testing devices) are the same. On the outside, however, they mayke look about the same. Each has a mouthpiece and a chamber for your breath to go into and be analyzed. But the breath tests that you are given outused in the field works entirely differently than the one youfrom the ones you are typically were given at the police station, and those differences matter. An experienced DUI lawyer will be able to look into it for you and see if problems with the results of your breath tests can help build a case for your defense.

PBTs

 

That breath test they gave you in the carwhen you were pulled over was likely what is called a PBT, which can stand for portable breath test, preliminary breath test, or pre-arrest breath test. Usually it is notIt may not be admissible in court, but it can be used to show that the officer had probable cause for the DUI arrest.

 

Once you breathe into the mouth piece, that air is brought into a chamber where a chemical reaction involving the alcohol in your breath produces a color change. The device uses this information to convert the amount of alcohol in your breath to an estimated blood alcohol level.

 

In order to work properly, they need to be specially calibrated regularly, and they should also be tested for accuracy. Many times, a DUI lawyer will investigate the matter and may learn that these procedures were not followed.

 

Other Breathalyzers, such as the Intoxilyzer 5000

 

When you got to the station, you were probably tested again with a larger device, most likely a system such as the Intoxilyzer. On rare occasions, the officer may have a portable system, which they can use out in the field, but typically this is too expensive.

 

This system does not use a chemical reaction to measure the amount of alcohol in your breath. Instead, it uses infrared spectroscopy, which indentifies alcohol molecules based on the way they absorb infrared light. These devices give more accurate results, when used properly, and these are the results that are typically introduced in court, although in some cases DUI lawyers are able to have them dismissed as well. Like the PBTs, these devices have to be calibrated and maintained properly, otherwise they can give inaccurate results. Also, if the officer does not know how to properly use the device, it can inflate the results. For example, if someone breathes too long into the chamber, it can result in a higher reading. Also, mouth alcohol, caused by acid reflux, dentures, mouthwash, or vomiting, among other factors, can also inflate the numbers.

 

Get Professional Help from a DUI Lawyer

 

If you are facing a high blood alcohol result from any breathalyzer device, you should know that it is possible that the results were inaccurate. You may have had a much lower blood alcohol than the machine reported based on a number of different factors. The science behind these machines is very complicated, and many police officers are not properly trained on their use. Also, differences in body physiology can make a major difference. These machines convert the breath alcohol to blood alcohol using measurements based on the “average man,” and it’s likely that you don’t fit that definition exactly.

 

This is why it’s important to have an experienced and knowledgeable DUI lawyer on your side. You want someone who understands how these machines work and has the experts available to speak up on your behalf. The consequences of a DUI conviction can be serious, including jail time, license suspension, and high fines, and the severity of the punishment you are given is often largely based on how high of a blood alcohol content they can prove. If you can show that you actually have a lower amount of blood alcohol, you may face reduced consequences or be acquitted entirely.

 

The best way to fight for your rights is by hiring an experienced DUI attorney. You don’t have to go through this alone. You deserve to have someone investigate your case and work to get you the best outcome possible. It is your life, your freedom, and your money that is on the line.