Breath and Blood Tests

Orange County DUI Attorney

Were you arrested for DUI after failing or refusing a breath or blood test? If so, Orange County DUI lawyer Virginia L. Landry may be able to help you.

To secure a conviction for DUI (driving under the influence) in Orange County, law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney will often utilize a driver's breath or blood test results. A breath test, blood test or sometimes a urine test may be used to determine a driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC), the level of alcohol in his or her system. If a driver is operating a motor vehicle while with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or greater, he or she may be charged with DUI. Underage drivers may face license suspension penalties with a BAC of .01% or greater, and commercial drivers may face criminal charges with a BAC of .04% or greater.

About Breath Tests and Blood Tests

A breath test is typically administered by having a driver blow into a breathalyzer device which analyzes a breath sample and determines the concentration of alcohol. Breath tests are commonly considered less reliable than blood tests and may have a number of issues arise that can affect a driver's result, and a lawyer can bring these into question to challenge your breath test result. For example, the machine must be calibrated frequently and according to state standards in order for the results to be admissible in court. If the breathalyzer device was not calibrated, your lawyer may be able to use this to your advantage.

A blood test is conducted by taking a blood sample and then processing this to determine the driver's blood alcohol concentration. Although more accurate than breath tests, blood tests have their faults as well and may be improperly handled, administered by an untrained professional or otherwise mishandled. Your attorney may be able to use this to help you avoid a conviction.

Find out more about breath and blood tests and DUI by contacting our firm today. Contact Orange County DUI attorney Virginia L. Landry.