Everett Lynnwood DUI Lawyers: State's new breathalyzer drawing skepticism from attorneys

Everett Lynnwood DUI Lawyers: State's new breathalyzer drawing skepticism from attorneys

SEATTLE -- A new round of legal challenges could be on tap for drunk driving arrests in Washington state.  The state is upgrading its breathalyzer machines, and defense lawyers are ready to pick apart this latest technology. The new state-of-the-art tool could stir legal challenges over perceived shortcomings.

The Drager Alcotest 95-10 boasts several improvements over the breathalyzer the state currently uses, including two ways to ensure testing accuracy and touch-screen entry of information troopers track.  "Things such as drinking location, the establishment where they told us they were drinking, (whether there was a) collision involved," said Sgt. Ken Denton.

Denton says Washington State Patrol has tested and re-tested the Drager, and is confident it is accurate and reliable. But he knows it may still be an issue in court.

"I doubt very seriously that this is going to be the end of all court argument," he said, adding defense attorneys would file challenges, no matter what technology gets adopted.

 

Note:  Undoubtedly there will be growing problems with this new device.  The old DataMaster machines, which are still used in Washington State, had a multitude of problems when they were first introduced in Washington State and continued to have problems up to the current date. 

 

The following is an excerpt from the Award Winning DUI book, "DUI/DWI: The

History of Driving Under the Influence."   David N. Jolly, Outskirts Press (2009).

Despite the changes between the Verificer and the DataMaster there are several reported problems with the DataMaster devices.  Most of these problems have originated in the State of Washington and have included repair and maintenance problems, problems with the meter valve (instability producing imprecise readings, or failing to produce readings), problems with zeroing, instability of infra-red lamps, improper display of interferents (generally  acetone), problems with displaying results to three decimal points, and problems with lack of specificity for ethanol.

 

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For information on your Lynnwood DUI case or Everett DUI case please contact our Lynnwood  DUI lawyers or Everett DUI lawyers at 425-493-1115, email us at david@davidjollylaw.com,  or check out our main website at http://www.washdui.com or www.mukilteodui.com, www.everett-dui.co, www.marysville-dui.com, www.dui-bothell.com, or www.anacortesdui.com