Washington State Breath Tests

If you are arrested for DUI in Washington State, the officer may ask you to take a breath test at the scene and at the police station. At the scene, the officer will use a PBT, or a portable breath test device like this one. The PBT is voluntary and is not admissible in court. As a general rule, you should probably decline to take the PBT. The legal breath test is taken on a machine back at the police station or the jail. You can decline that test as well, but if you do, you may face a longer license revocation and more jail time. You may be better off taking the breath test, this is because the results of that test are often of questionable accuracy and they can be challenged in court.

There are certain conditions, such as diabetes, acid reflux disease, dental conditions, and exposure to certain chemicals that may account for an inaccurately high breath test result. Likewise improper or untimely maintenance to that machine, or its components, can also affect the accuracy of a breath test. To fight your DUI, you need a lawyer who understands the technology and the science of breath testing. The physiological conditions that affect breath testing and who can effectively present these issues to a prosecutor, judge, and jury. You found that lawyer. Call me at 1-877-DUI-ANSWER.

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