Can the Breathalyzer Result Be Wrong?

Can the Breathalyzer Result Be Wrong?

Like most other machines, breathalyzer results are not error-proof. In Missouri, breath analysis remains one the most common methods in which police officers establish whether a suspect was driving while intoxicated. Increasingly, scientists and experts have called into question the reliability of breathalyzers. In some instances, courts have even thrown out the breathalyzer result because of a known error or defect.

Similar to most other machines, the accuracy and reliability of a breathalyzer is only as good as the individuals operating it. In other words, when a police officer makes a procedural error in operating a breathalyzer, the result of the breathalyzer becomes tainted and unreliable. A police officer must be licensed to operate a breathalyzer, but this license alone doesn’t prevent errors from occurring. Frequent errors made by police officers in operating a breathalyzer include failure to properly calibrate the machine, failure to test blank specimens, and failure to ensure that the defendant has not been affected by his or her environment.

The St. Louis DWI attorneys at Henderson & Waterkotte, P.C. can effectively challenge the accuracy of the breath test. Our experienced DWI lawyers will aggressively challenge the prosecutions key pieces of evidence. If you or a loved one has received a DWI in Missouri or Illinois, call us to schedule your free consultation today.