Source: http://www.wklawdui.com/blog/blood-breath-alcohol-testing/
Timestamp: 2013-05-19 07:21:08
Document Index: 741661092

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 1', '§23612', '§13353', '§23612', '§23612']

Blood Breath Alcohol Testing | California DUI Defense Blog
Blood Breath Alcohol Testing Can I Refuse A Field Sobriety Test In San Bernardino? By DUI Defense Attorney on May 1, 2013 If you drive a motor vehicle, by law you are consenting to chemical testing of your blood or breathe in order to determine your blood alcohol level. If you are lawfully arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, you have the choice of how you will be tested, either through a blood or breathe test. The arresting officer must inform you of that choice.
Posted in: Blood Breath Alcohol Testing, DUI Laws What Are The Consequences If I Refused To Submit To Chemical Testing? (CVC 23612) By DUI Defense Attorney on April 24, 2013 According to California Vehicle Code section 23612, if you are arrested for a DUI offense committed in violation of California Vehicle Code section 23140, 23152 or 23153, you are deemed to have given your consent to chemical testing through either a blood or breath test to determine the alcohol content of your blood. If a blood test is unavailable, you may be required to submit to a urine test. This is known as the “Implied Consent Law,” as you do not have to actually give permission at the time for the chemical test to be performed. Instead, the law provides that you already have given consent.
Posted in: Blood Breath Alcohol Testing, DUI Laws Consequences for a DUI Causing Injury in Orange County (CVC 23153) By DUI Defense Attorney on March 25, 2013 If you are facing charges for DUI causing injury in Orange County, you need to call an Orange County Wallin & Klarich DUI Defense Attorney as soon as possible. The consequences of a DUI causing injury conviction can be severe. Hiring an Orange County Wallin & Klarich DUI Defense Attorney early in your case is the best possible way to protect you from a lengthy jail sentence.
A violation of California Vehicle Code section 23153 occurs when:
Another person was injured as a result of your illegal act or failure to perform a legal duty
When a driver causes injury to another while driving under the influence, he or she will face more severe punishments and penalties than he or she would for a traditional DUI charge under California Vehicle Code section 23152. A more detailed explanation of the sentencing and punishment for DUI causing injury is listed below.
Sentencing for DUI Causing Injury in Orange County
The consequences for a DUI causing injury can be serious. As a “wobbler” offense, a DUI causing injury in Orange County can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the facts of your case and your prior criminal history. If the prosecution convicts you of a DUI causing injury, your driving privilege could be suspended for a lengthy period of time.
Misdemeanor DUI causing injury is punishable by up to one year in county jail and a maximum $1,000 fine
Other fines and fees that the court will impose against you will likely add up to about $2,000
DUI Causing Injury Defenses
Your skilled Orange County DUI Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can raise a number of defenses on your behalf, including:
You Were Not Driving Vehicle
If you were not the person driving the vehicle when police officers arrested you for a DUI, then you will have a complete defense to your DUI causing injury charge.
The prosecutor must prove that you were impaired by alcohol, drugs, or both to convict you of a DUI. A skilled Orange County DUI Defense Attorney can argue that you were not impaired, which may lead to your charges being dismissed.
Your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Was Under 0.08%
If your BAC was over 0.08% at the time you were driving your vehicle, then you are over the legal limit and may be convicted of a DUI. However, a skilled Wallin & Klarich DUI Defense Attorney can challenge the chemical tests used to determine your BAC and get your DUI charges dismissed.
If your actions were forced by a sudden emergency situation, you may have a complete defense against your DUI causing injury charge. Your actions will be judged against the reasonable person standard. If a reasonable person who acted with ordinary care and judgment would have done the same thing in your situation, then you may have a complete defense to your case.
If no injury occurred to another person during the alleged DUI incident, then you may not be convicted of DUI causing injury. You may still be liable for a DUI.
The police officer who initially stopped you at the scene must have had probable cause to make the stop. If the officer did not have probable cause, then the traffic stop was likely unlawful and any evidence that resulted may be suppressed.
Your Wallin & Klarich DUI Defense Attorney can argue that the police did not follow the proper procedures in administering a chemical test to determine your BAC. For instance, if the officer did not constantly recalibrate the breathalyzer, it may not accurately report your BAC.
You may be able to prove that you were not over the legal BAC limit at the time you were driving if your BAC was slightly over 0.08% at the time of the BAC reading. Since alcohol takes time to metabolize in your body, the BAC reading may show a higher level of alcohol in your bloodstream even though you may have been under the legal limit five minutes prior to your breathalyzer test.
If there was still some alcohol in your mouth when you submitted to the breathalyzer test, there may be an inaccurate BAC reading. Burping and vomiting can cause alcohol to appear in your mouth, which could lead to an inaccurate BAC reading.
An arresting officer has a legal duty to notify you of your Miranda Rights after you are “in custody.” Before doing so, the officer cannot legally question you. Your Miranda Rights include, without limitation: (1) the right to remain silent and (2) the right to have an attorney present. If you were not read your Miranda Rights, then any incriminating statements you make may be suppressed and deemed inadmissible at trial.
The Orange County DUI Defense Attorneys of Wallin & Klarich have successfully defended DUI causing injury cases for over 30 years. If you or someone you know has been accused of this offense, you need to contact an experienced Criminal Defense Attorney who will carefully review the facts and the law to give you the best representation possible. Our Orange County DUI Defense Attorneys will defend your rights through every stage of the criminal process and contribute crucial legal advice that may help you win your case. We have offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Victorville, West Covina, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks.
Posted in: Blood Breath Alcohol Testing, DUI Laws Chemical Test Refusal Must Be Voluntary, Knowing Waiver By DUI Defense Attorney on February 21, 2013 The decision by the Defendant to decline to submit to any further chemical test is not a valid waiver of the right to collect evidence unless it is voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently made.
In the case of an additional chemical test, a “knowingly and intelligently” made decision requires the Defendant to have knowledge of the breath test result and its potential inaccuracies. To insure such knowledge it must be shown that the Defendant was properly advised of his Trombetta rights.
Absent a showing that Defendant’s decision to decline an additional chemical test was knowing and intelligent, the admission into evidence that the defendant declined to take an additional blood test, by necessity, would call for an explanation by the Defendant, thereby denying the Defendant of his/her right not to be compelled in a criminal case to be a witness against himself as guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution. (See Miranda v. Arizona (1966) 384 U.S. 436, 460) “The privilege [against self incrimination] is fulfilled only when the person is guaranteed the right to remain silent unless he chooses to speak in the unfettered exercise of her own will.”
If you were arrested for DUI and it was alleged that you refused to submit to a chemical test, you must immediately contact one of our experienced DUI attorneys from Wallin and Klarich. Wallin & Klarich has been helping individuals charged with a DUI for over 30 years. Wallin & Klarich has the experience to defend our clients and do all we can to prevent their driving privileges from being suspended. Please call us at 1 (877) 4-NO-JAIL or visit our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.
Posted in: Blood Breath Alcohol Testing, DUI Laws, Law & Information DUI CHEMICAL TEST REFUSAL (Part 2) — Does Silence Amount to a DUI Refusal? By DUI Defense Attorney on February 20, 2013 The chemical test admonition on the DS367 provides the licensee important information that must be made known to the licensee. The licensee must be informed of his required duties and his constitutional rights before he can act. Obviously, without this information it is impossible for the licensee to make an informed decision.
However, silence alone does not always amount to a refusal because it should not be viewed in a vacuum. As the Carrey Court [183 Cal.App.3d 1265] held, the test is the “objective, fair meaning to be distilled from [the arrestee’s] words and conduct.” Thus, in Hart v. Department of Motor Vehicles (1987) 194 Cal.App.3d 1523, 240 Cal.Rptr. 373, no refusal was found where the subject remained silent but was fully cooperative with a blood draw. While the law is clear that the police have no duty to proceed with a chemical test attempt in the face of silence (see Lampman), Hart held that where they choose to proceed with a blood draw, obtain a sample without any appreciable loss of time, and the arrestee is entirely cooperative with the process, there is no refusal.
If you are arrested and charged with a DUI, you must immediately contact one of our experienced DUI attorneys from Wallin & Klarich. Wallin & Klarich has been helping individuals charged with a DUI for over 30 years. Wallin & Klarich has the experience to defend our clients and do all we can to prevent their driving privileges from being suspended. Please call us at (888) 280-6839 or visit our website at www.wklaw.com. You can also fill out our contact form and one of our attorneys will email you or call you back immediately. We will fight for you.
Posted in: Blood Breath Alcohol Testing, DUI Laws DUI CHEMICAL TEST REFUSAL (Part 1) – Consequences for Failure To Take a Test By DUI Defense Attorney on February 19, 2013 California Vehicle Code §23612(a)(1)(D) speaks in mandatory, not discretionary, terms of the requirement that a licensee be informed of his duty to take a test and the consequences for failing to take a test. It thus follows that if a person is not informed of his rights and duties that no suspension can stand. “Proper warning of the consequences of refusal of a motorist arrested for drunk driving to take one of the three tests required by CVC §13353, is one of the elements essential to suspension of license under the implied consent law.” (Giomi v. Department of Motor Vehicles, 15 Cal. App. 3d 905 at 906 (1971) See also, Decker v. Department of Motor Vehicles (1972) 6 Cal. 3d 903 and Scott v. Meese, (1985) 174 Cal.App.3d 249. Further, “noncomprehension of warning did not have to be communicated to officer in order to preclude driver’s license suspension for refusal to undergo chemical tests for intoxication.” (Thompson v. Department of Motor Vehicles (1980) 107 Cal.App.3d 354). Lack of sufficient advisement is all that is required.
To ensure proper advisement, the backside of the officer’s sworn statement (DS367 Form) specifically delineates the requirement of CVC §23612 by the chemical test admonitions, which has spaces for the officer to place information like the date, time and location that the admonishment was read. It also has boxes that an officer must check to show that he/she read to the licensee the proper admonition under CVC §23612. It further requires that if the admonition was read by another officer, that that officer must place his/her name, badge/identification number, agency, and phone number in the spaces provided. This shows that someone must read this admonition to the licensee and the officer reading the licensee the admonition must be known by name.
If you are arrested and charged with a DUI, you must immediately contact one of our experienced DUI attorneys at Wallin and Klarich. Wallin & Klarich has been helping individuals charged with a DUI for over 30 years. Wallin & Klarich has the experience to defend our clients and do all we can to prevent their driving privileges from being suspended. Please call us at (888) 280-6839 or visit our website at www.wklaw.com. You can also fill out our contact form and one of our attorneys will contact you immediately. We will be there when you call.
Posted in: Blood Breath Alcohol Testing, DUI Laws CONSEQUENCES FOR REFUSING TO SUBMIT TO CHEMICAL TEST WHEN ARRESTED FOR DUI IN SAN BERNARDINO By DUI Defense Attorney on August 8, 2012 Many people who are arrested for Driving Under the influence in California are unsure of whether they should submit to a breath or blood alcohol test when the arresting officer explains to them that they have to submit to one of those tests. Often times a person will refuse to submit to one of these tests. Should you refuse to take a breath or blood alcohol test after being arrested for DUI in San Bernardino?
Anybody who is lawfully arrested for DUI in California is deemed to have given his or her consent to chemical testing of his or her blood, breath, or urine for the purpose of determining the level of alcohol or drugs in his or her system. This is the implied consent law in California. The law also requires that the person shall be told that his or her failure to submit to – or his or her failure to complete – the required chemical testing will result in a fine, mandatory imprisonment if the person is convicted of a DUI, the suspension of the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of one year, or the revocation of the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of two to three years.
However, it is important to point out that you are not legally obligated to submit to a chemical test of the “hand held device” that the police officer asks you to blow into at the scene. You are only obligated to submit to a chemical test after you have been arrested and you are taken to the police station or to a local hospital to complete the test.
In many cases the officer will not properly admonish the person arrested for DUI about the consequences of his or her failure to submit to a chemical test. Unfortunately, many people will refuse to take a test – which leads to serious consequences. If the officer writes that person up as a “refusal,” it can trigger a mandatory one year suspension that does not allow for a restricted license under any circumstances. What’s worse is that the cops will usually “force” blood from the person by strapping him or her to a chair and by holding him or her down with the force of multiple officers. In these cases, the person still faces the one year mandatory suspension for refusal, and the police get their evidence regardless. In most cases, refusing to submit to a chemical test is a bad idea for a person arrested for DUI in California.
If you have been accused of DUI in San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Los Angels, or Ventura Counties, you will need an experienced DUI defense lawyer to vigorously represent you. At Wallin & Klarich, we have helped people accused of this crime for over 30 years. Call us today at (888) 749–0034 or visit us at our website at www.wklawdui.com. We will be there when you call.
Posted in: Blood Breath Alcohol Testing Singer Bobby Brown Arrested on Suspicion of DUI By DUI Defense Attorney on March 27, 2012 Bobby Brown, the ex-husband of the late Whitney Houston, was arrested yesterday afternoon in LA County on suspicion of DUI. Both Brown and Houston had a long, well documented, battle with drugs and alcohol, and it appears as though the former member of New Addition hasn’t beaten his demons. Like most DUI arrests, Brown was stopped for a minor traffic violation, which led to a DUI investigation. Brown was talking on his cell phone, which is illegal in California, which eventually led officers to investigate him for DUI. Brown allegedly failed a field sobriety test and according to reports, blew a .12.
Posted in: Blood Breath Alcohol Testing, DUI Penalties, First Time DUI Trackback
What Kind of Tests Will I be Confronted With When Pulled Over for a DUI in Los Angeles County? By DUI Defense Attorney on October 6, 2011 When a police officer suspects someone of driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol the police officer will try to determine how much or intoxicated the driver is. To do this there are a variety of tests the police may subject you to. These tests include:
2. Preliminary Alcohol Screening Test (breathalyzer)
3. Chemical Evidentiary Breath Test (breathalyzer)
4. Chemical Evidentiary Blood Test
5. Chemical Evidentiary Urine Test
It is important to know what these tests are and what tests are voluntary and which ones are mandatory. The field sobriety test is a voluntary test. The test involves the driver performing tests related to balance, time, and hand/eye coordination. The preliminary alcohol screening test is also voluntary. This involves breathing into a breathalyzer and the breathalyzer will display a number to the investigating officer which shows your blood alcohol content. The chemical evidentiary blood and breath test are both mandatory tests. A urine test is only given after a blood and breath test are unavailable. Any Los Angeles DUI attorney will recommend a driver performing those voluntary tests as it will not help your situation, since a poor performance on those tests will be used against you in a court of law.
If you or a loved one is facing charges for driving under the influence, contact our Southern California DUI attorneys at Wallin and Klarich. Wallin & Klarich will help protect your rights and find the best defense strategy for your case. For over 30 years, our attorneys have been helping clients keep their driver’s license and maintain the ability to continue driving. Please call us at (888) 280-6839 or visit our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.
Posted in: Blood Breath Alcohol Testing, DUI Laws, Field Sobriety Tests Tags: los angeles dui defense attorneys Comments rss	Trackback