When an individual is arrested on a suspicion of drunk driving in New Jersey, the next step is for the arresting officer to request the individual to take a breath test on the Alcotest machine. This machine is used to calculate an individual’s blood alcohol content.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DWI based on a breath test result, you need to immediately contact a NJ DUI attorney to determine whether the results are reliable and will hold up as evidence in your DUI trial.
The Details of the Alcotest Machine
The Alcotest 7110 is the machine that was approved by the New Jersey Supreme Court in the case of State v. Chun to measure the blood alcohol content (BAC) of an individual arrested on the suspicion of a DUI. This machine is used by all law enforcement agencies in the State of New Jersey.
Prior to the use of the Alcotest machine, law enforcement used the Breathalyzer machine. The most significant difference between these two machines is that the Alcotest leaves very little room for operator error because it is computerized, whereas the results of the old Breathalyzer machine relied heavily on the person operating it. More specifically, the Alcotest calculates an individual’s BAC and digitally reports it without the operator having to follow the strict guidelines adopted by the New Jersey Supreme Court in dictating how to validly administer a breath sample.
However, despite the little room for error, a variety of issues can still yield unreliable results. For example, if the Alcotest machine is not properly maintained or calibrated, the results may be faulty. This is precisely why an experienced NJ DUI attorney will not automatically rely on a client’s breath sample results as definite evidence in proving guilt at the DUI trial.
Call An Experienced NJ DUI Attorney Today
If you or a loved one was arrested for a DUI, you need to immediately call DWI attorney Dan Matrafajlo at 908-248-4404 for a free consultation. We have offices in Elizabeth, North Brunswick and Newark, New Jersey to serve you. Mr. Matrafajlo has the experience in New Jersey municipal courts that you need. He has been recognized locally for his legal ability and named a SuperLawyers Rising Star by his peers. Dan has the knowledge and skill to prepare the best strategy and present the best evidence at your DUI bench trial to increase the likelihood of dismissing the DUI charges against you.
