How Breathalyzer Test Results Can Be Challenged in Gaffney DUI Cases

Yes. You can challenge the result of a breathalyzer test in Gaffney. The outcome will typically turn on how the test was administered, maintained, and interpreted. Likewise, the strength of a breath test depends on documentation and compliance. Delays make those details harder to verify.

If you’ve been pulled over or arrested for a DUI, get in touch with our defense attorneys right away. The law requires strict procedures, and when those procedures break down, our legal team at Parker & Bain can efficiently challenge the results.

Why Breathalyzer Tests in Gaffney Are Not Foolproof

Breath tests estimate blood alcohol concentration by measuring alcohol in your breath. That estimate depends on assumptions about human physiology and equipment performance. However, accuracy depends on proper calibration, operator training, and adherence to protocol. South Carolina relies on approved instruments and procedures. The reliability of the device, testing steps, and results will suffer when any link in that chain fails.

Calibration and Maintenance Are Vital

Breathalyzers must be maintained and calibrated regularly. Records should show timely checks and compliance with manufacturer and agency standards. Missing logs, late calibrations, or failed accuracy checks raise real questions about the entire testing process.

Observation Periods Are Required in Gaffney

Before a breath test, officers must observe you for a set period to ensure nothing enters your mouth, no gum, no burping, no regurgitation. Alcohol from your mouth can spike readings.

Operator Training and Administration Errors

Breath tests are only as good as the person administering them. Training lapses, skipped steps, or improper sequencing can contaminate results and make them inadmissible in court.

Physiology and Medical Factors Can Likewise Skew Breathalyzer Results

Breath tests assume a fixed relationship between breath alcohol and blood alcohol content. However, real bodies vary significantly. Conditions like GERD, recent dental work, or certain medications can affect BAC readings. So can rapid alcohol absorption.

Timing and Rising BAC

A breath test taken after driving may reflect a higher BAC than at the time of operation, particularly if alcohol was consumed shortly before the stop.

What About Refusal or Alternative Tests?

Refusing a breath test does not end your case or your defense. The prosecution still must prove impairment based on the officer’s observations and other evidence. Blood tests are not automatic proof either. They must likewise be properly collected, stored, and tested.

How a DUI Lawyer in Gaffney Can Defend You

Challenging breath results are all about exposing specific weaknesses. Your DUI attorney in Gaffney can:

• Obtain calibration and maintenance records and compare them to required schedules. If the machine wasn’t verified properly, the number loses force
• Scrutinize reports and video to confirm that the observation period happened. Gaps or distractions during that window are vital
• Verify certifications and cross-check step-by-step administration against required procedures. Deviations weaken the prosecution’s proof
• Evaluate medical history and timing to determine whether physiology, not intoxication, explains your test results
• Reconstruct timelines, including your last drink, stop time, and test time, to assess whether the result overstates impairment
• Negotiate outcomes that reduce or avoid DUI convictions when needed

Get Legal Assistance from Our DUI Lawyers in Gaffney

Breathalyzer test results can decide the outcome of a DUI case, so challenging them is immensely crucial. At Parker & Bain, our DUI attorneys in Gaffney can assess whether the procedure supports a conviction or leaves room to reduce your charges or dismiss your case. Schedule your confidential case review by calling 864-252-2650 or emailing us.