285) What is a “Field Test” for Drugs? ~ #HaberPA Michael A Haber Criminal Defense DUI Lawyer
Channel: Michael Haber
Date: 2018-10-13

What is a “Field Test” for Drugs?

A field test for drugs is a chemical test that’s performed by a cop, in the moment, during an alleged investigation at the scene of a potential arrest, by using a prepackaged drug testing kit in an attempt to determine if something that’s found on your person or in your possession is in fact a controlled substance. 

Like a pregnancy test - although not nearly as reliable - field test kits use a simple color indicator.  They’re cheap, many times deceptive, inaccurate and uncertain.  They’re also both fallible and presumptive.  

Field test tests can, and do, result in “false positives”, and that’s why, while a field test may be good enough for an arrest, if the prosecutor wants to get the drugs into evidence in court, then they’re gonna need a full blown analysis and a chemist’s report from the crime lab.

Regardless, police are gonna use every tool in their arsenal, including field test kits, which are directly responsible for many an arrest.

The bad news is, if the substance in your possession tests positive on the roadside then the odds are very good that you’re getting arrested.

The good news is, again, that in most cases field tests can’t - and don’t - serve as a substitute for full blown crime lab chemical testing.  So when you ultimately get to court the field test will probably be inadmissible as evidence, and full-blown crime lab chemical testing is gonna be required for the State to prove that you were in possession of a controlled substance.

Thank you for your question.  I appreciate your having asked it.  Please remember that at #HaberPA it’s all about reasonable doubt!

At Michael A. Haber, PA "it's all about reasonable doubt"!

Please note that no attorney-client relationship with either Michael A. Haber, PA or Michael A. Haber, Esq. exists as a result of your watching this Webisode series.  Further any and all information which is both contained in and may be construed from this Webisode series is generic in nature and should only be considered as informational and not as actual legal advise in any specific case.  Should you wish to seek actual legal advise then please feel free to contact Michael A. Haber, Esq. as follows:

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