Bloomington Breath Test Lawyer
DUI Breath Test Attorney
If you were recently charged with a DUI, then it is imperative that you contact a Bloomington Breath Test Lawyer at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols immediately. In Illinois, if a driver refuses to take a breath test/breathalyzer or registers a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or more, his or her driver’s license will be suspended by the Secretary of State.
Illinois is an “implied consent” state, which means that all drivers who do not consent to chemical testing by a law enforcement officer are subject to penalty. The period of suspension for DUI offenders who refuse chemical testing is longer than for those who submit to a breath test and are over the limit.
Illinois Breath Test Laws
For a first time offender, failure of a breath test results in a 6-month suspension of your driver’s license, while refusal to take a breath test results in a 12-month suspension. For a non-first time offender, failure of a breath test results in a 12-month suspension of your driver’s license, and refusal to take a breath test results in a 3-year suspension. Refusal to submit to a breath test can be used against you in court.
However, breathalyzer machines can be challenged. If the police do not have “reasonable suspicion” to ask for a breath test, such as signs of intoxication, or if the test is administered improperly, the test can be successfully challenged.
Have you recently been charged with a DUI? If you got behind the wheel with a BAC of .08% or above, and pulled over by law enforcement, more than likely you will be charged with a DUI. A split-second decision to get behind the wheel can leave you facing consequences that can not only be costly, but have an impact on your life moving forward. Because of this, you will want a Bloomington, IL Breath Test Lawyer to help represent you in your legal case.
Here are some tips for finding the right lawyer to take on your case:
Tip #1: Research Your Options
When facing a DUI, you won’t want to choose the first lawyer that necessarily comes your way. You will want to take the time to research options in your area so that you are able to retain a lawyer who is experienced and prepared to take on your case. Start the process by asking people you know for recommendations, conduct Internet research, and gather reviews of past clients if possible. A Bloomington Breath Test Lawyer in Illinois is happy to share with you testimonials from clients we have helped.
Tip #2: Hire an Attorney with a Good Track Record
The last thing you want to do is move forward with a lawyer who does not have a good track record. Choosing someone who may not be qualified, or has a poor reputation can be potentially damaging to your case. First and foremost, you will want to make sure that they are experienced in managing DUI cases.
Tip #3: Make Sure You Understand Your Lawyer’s Fee Structure
The price for a lawyer can vary. This is a primary reason to have a clear understanding of a prospective lawyer’s fees prior to hiring them to take on your case. Be aware that a more savvy, experienced, and well-established lawyer will likely be more expensive. However, fee structures should be outlined for you prior to moving forward with your case.
Ask to discuss fees at your first appointment, it may also be beneficial to have fees laid out in a contract well before retaining their services. Here at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols, we offer free consultations so clients can get to know our team before choosing us to represent them.
Preparing to Meet with Your DUI Lawyer
Once you have chosen a DUI Lawyer for Breath Tests at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols as your legal counsel, it’s important that you take the time to prepare for your meeting. This can ensure that you maximize your consultation while providing us with a clear picture of the events that transpired on the night in question. You can prepare for your DUI meeting by:
- Putting together a list of questions you would like answered by your lawyer
- Know that your lawyer will have a variety of questions for you regarding your case
- Bring documents that pertain your case, including:
- Court Papers
- Bail Paperwork
- Police Reports
- Dates for Future Court Appearances
- Develop a List of Witnesses
Our team is experienced in DUI cases, so rest assured that we can protect your legal rights throughout the process. We will do what we can to play a pivotal role during legal proceedings, so that you can ensure that the consequences you stand to face are mitigated. In some cases, we may even be able to determine if there is a way to have your DUI charges dropped altogether.
If you have been charged with a DUI, it’s important that you take action as soon as possible by retaining an Illinois Breath Test Lawyer to represent you.
Fighting An Illinois Breath Test
Whether you submit to a breath test or not, there are positive ways to fight a DUI. An experienced attorney can guide you through the process and discern the appropriate direction to take the case based upon specific facts from your situation. Regardless of the extent of the evidence against you, there are ways to avoid a DUI conviction.
At Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols, we offer a free initial consultation with a Bloomington Breath Test Lawyer from Illinois, where we will listen to your side of the story and assess the proper way to handle your case moving forward.
Bloomington Breath Test Lawyer FAQs
According to a Bloomington, IL breath test lawyer from our firm, breath tests are a common method used for detecting the presence of alcohol or other substances in a person’s body, but they are also used in diagnosing medical conditions like lactose intolerance, Helicobacter pylori infection, and others. However, there are often a number of questions surrounding these tests. Here are five of the most frequently asked questions about breath tests and their answers. Learn more about these tests, and then contact a lawyer at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols for help.
How do breath tests work?
Breath tests work on the principle of detecting specific compounds or gasses in a person’s breath. In the case of alcohol breath tests, for instance, the device measures the amount of alcohol in the air exhaled from the lungs. Alcohol gets absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream, and then it travels to the lungs. When a person breathes out, the alcohol in the lungs is also expelled. In other medical breath tests, individuals may be asked to consume a specific substrate. If the substrate isn’t processed correctly due to an underlying health issue, it results in the production of a gas, which is then exhaled and can be measured.
Are breath tests accurate?
Breath tests, when used correctly, are generally accurate. However, their accuracy can depend on a variety of factors. For alcohol breath tests, things like mouth alcohol (from recent drinking or belching), certain medical conditions, or even the use of mouthwash can interfere with results. For medical breath tests, false positives and negatives can occur. For example, if you’re testing for lactose intolerance and have already significantly reduced your intake of lactose, you may receive a false negative. Also, certain drugs can affect the accuracy of the test, which is important to keep in mind if your breath test came back with strange results.
What substances can a breath test detect?
While breath tests are most commonly associated with alcohol detection, they can also be used to detect drugs, tobacco smoke, or certain medical conditions. In medical settings, breath tests can help diagnose conditions like lactose intolerance, fructose malabsorption, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and H. pylori infection, among others. If you test positive for a certain amount of alcohol while doing activities such as driving, you may face DUI charges. Contact a Bloomington breath test lawyer for help.
What do I need to do to prepare for a breath test?
Preparation for a breath test depends on the type of test. For an alcohol breath test, there’s typically no preparation needed. However, it’s important not to eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum for at least 15 minutes before the test. If you have done anything other than drinking before the test, it is best to contact your lawyer before completing the test. For a medical breath test, you may need to fast for a certain period, avoid certain medications, or follow a specific diet before the test. You’ll receive instructions from your healthcare provider.
Are breath tests invasive?
Breath tests are generally considered non-invasive as they don’t require any form of bodily penetration. For the test, you simply exhale into the device. However, they can be a little uncomfortable if you’re not used to blowing into a device. Breath tests have revolutionized the fields of law enforcement and medical diagnostics. They provide an efficient, non-invasive, and rapid way to monitor substances in the body or diagnose various health conditions. However, it’s important to understand their limitations and the factors that can affect their accuracy. Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions when preparing for a medical breath test to ensure the most accurate results.
If a breath test is administered to you because the authorities believe you are under the influence, contact a Bloomington breath test lawyer at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols for help.
