DUI investigations are usually based on evidence, such as the results of a blood test that determines the degree of intoxication a defendant has attained.
However, there are occasions where such evidence might be ruled out in court. To make things simple, hospital blood tests are designed to guide medical treatment choices, not for legal action.
Instead of generating accurate, legally accepted BAC (blood alcohol concentration) levels, these tests focus on getting the results quickly to meet the patient’s urgent medical requirements.
Let’s explore the most common reasons blood test results are excluded from DUI investigations.
6 Reasons Blood Test Results are Excluded from DUI Investigations
- Violation of Constitutional Rights
Blood tests qualify as a type of intrusive search and, as such, come under the Fourth Amendment, which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures. To administer a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test, police typically require the consent of the person, a warrant, or a situation that constitutes an exigent circumstance.
If police perform a blood test without adhering to these requirements—e.g., not obtaining a warrant—the results can be suppressed as evidence.
- Lack of Adequate Consent
The consent for the blood test must be given clearly as well as voluntarily. If a person was coerced, deceived, or otherwise did not understand what they were agreeing to, the results may be declared void.
For instance, a person who does not speak the officer’s language and isn’t provided proper translation may argue that they could not give informed consent.
- Incorrect Handling or Sample Storage
Blood samples must be collected, handled, and stored strictly to avoid contamination or degradation. If a sample is not properly stored, exposed to temperatures that could alter its composition, or mishandled by medical or law enforcement personnel, it might no longer serve as reliable evidence. Defense attorneys tend to examine chain of custody problems to verify the integrity of the sample during the proceedings.
- Inaccurate Blood Testing Methods
Primarily, accuracy would depend on the methods and tools used in the blood test. Obsolete, faulty calibration and improper maintenance of equipment often produce incorrect results.
Not to forget, the procedures conducted by technicians in the laboratory can cause contamination, thus invalidating the analysis. Any breach of the standard forensic procedure immediately raises problems when these results are admitted as evidence.
- Contaminated Samples
Blood samples may become contaminated before or even during testing. Contamination may result from unsterilized medical instruments or environmental contamination in the transport. The court might find the evidence inadmissible based on reasonable doubt of its reliability. This is if the defense can demonstrate probable contamination in the blood test results.
- Unqualified Personnel
People who collect, handle, and test blood specimens must be trained and qualified. A civil liberties issue arises if law enforcement allows unqualified individuals to collect blood specimens from suspects or a lab permits inadequately trained technicians to analyze the blood specimens. These types of procedural errors may cause the court to exclude the test results.
Conclusion
Understanding the above six reasons why blood tests may be excluded will help those charged to better understand their rights and the need for procedural accuracy. The legal environment surrounding DUI charges is complicated, and expert assistance is required to properly navigate these matters.
A proficient DUI lawyer will pay close attention to how the blood evidence was collected, mishandled, or tested at every phase, for any procedural impropriety that weakens the case and may lead to its exclusion from court.
Not just that, this legal professional will be by the individual’s side, assisting them through every step of the process.
