Albuquerque Criminal Lawyer Blog

The issue of whether or not the police offered an independent blood test comes up fairly regularly. Often times, those arrested for DWI/DUI do not remember being offered an independent blood test. Just as frequently, they flat deny that an independent blood test was offered. It then becomes a simple matter of who the court or jury believes, the DWI/DUI defendant or the police officer. This is typically not going to end favorably for the defendant.

If you blow over .08 on the breath alcohol test, then you should request an independent blood test. The officer may not tell you your breath score. If you find yourself in the midst of the booking process, then rest assured you need to request a blood alcohol test.

The breath test have an error rate of at least 10%. There are numerous individual or situational factors that may elevate the score as well. If you have only had a little to drink, it is critical that you get a blood draw since these other factors may be at work. The blood test is far more accurate and may be significantly lower as a result of these factors.

You should be vocal about your request for the blood alcohol test. Even this may not be enough if an officer ignores your requests. To provide verifiable proof of your request, you should write "I want a blood test" on every single document that you sign during the arrest and booking process. This will provide proof of your request as well as the failure of the officer to provide the test in violation of New Mexico law.

Now comes the bad news. It may be pretty difficult finding a blood draw service. Though the law enforcement is supposed to assist in providing a blood test, they may just give you a phone book. Good luck finding someone to come to the jail or substation to take a blood draw, particularly late at night.

Parrish Collins
Albuquerque Attorney
www.CollinsAttorneys.com

You have a right to an independent blood alcohol test when you have been arrested for DWI/DUI in New Mexico. This right may prove more theoretical than real if you are unable to locate a facility or provider to take the blood draw.

Any Lab Test Now claims to be available 24/7 at (505) 319-6059. The organization will send out a certified phlebotomist to conduct the test. The test results are fully admissible in a DWI/DUI defense. The results are also admissible for the MVD license revocation hearing. A blood alcohol test is far more reliable than the breath alcohol test utilized by law enforcement which has a acceptable 10% error rate.

The test is free so long as you submit to the State's breath alcohol test If you refuse the State's breath alcohol test, you will be charged for the test. In addition, you will be responsible for all costs associated with getting the testing technician to court at trial.

Take the State's test, then get an independent blood alcohol test to insure accurate results. Insist on the BATDRAW independent blood alcohol test. Be vocal and leave no doubt that you made the request. As seen in State v. Duarte, any doubt in your request for an independent blood alcohol test will likely be construed against you.

You have the right to an independent blood test. You should exercise it if there are any doubts in your mind regarding the results of the law enforcement result. You should most definitely use the service if your results are close to .08 or .16 due to the recognized 10% error rate in the breath test. Clearly, you do not want the test if you are under the limit as the rate of error in the breath alcohol tests swings both ways.

The exercise could prove purely academic anyway due to New Mexico law that allows drivers to be convicted at levels below the legal .08 level, under the "impaired to the slightest degree" standard. However, it is far better to be fighting the "impaired to the slightest degree" than the statutory presumptive impairment above .08. And, anything over .16 puts you at a severe disadvantage due to aggravated DWI/DUI charges for levels over .16. In addition, .08 or higher virtually guarantees a revocation of your license by MVD.

Put this number in your phone., (505) 319-6059. Give to your friends and family. Hopefully, you will not need it, but if you do, you do!

www.CollinsAttorneys.com