Honest Advice. Strategic Representation.

We're In Your Corner

Raleigh DWI Attorney Comments on Power Outage to Hundreds of Fellow Citizens.

A breathalyzer is often used by police officers to confirm if an individual is driving while intoxicated (DWI). The results almost always used as evidence at a DWI trial. However, many DWI attorneys question the reliability of such tests.

Last April, the Raleigh Police Department arrested a man for crashing his car into a utility pole, which left hundreds of people without power. According to the police report the suspect had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at .16%, about twice the allowable limit. Under North Carolina law, a driver is considered impaired if his BAC reaches .08%.

Reports state that Estes’ vehicle was speeding when it hit a speed bump. This sent the car flying toward the utility pole in question. The force was enough to break the pole in half and leave power lines dangling on the road and many residents without power (and a viable internet connection, which is probably worse).

Consequences of a DWI arrest

If found guilty, Estes faces immediate 30-day driver’s license suspension with the possibility of limited driving privileges after 10 days. He could also end up facing a hefty fine and community service depending on the judge’s discretion.

A DWI conviction is no laughing matter. More than the direct penalties set by law, it can also tarnish an individual’s reputation, which may affect every aspect of his or her life, from his ability to get a good job to his relationships with friends and family.

However, any experienced DWI attorney will tell you that breathalyzer results are not always accurate.

Factors that affect breathalyzer results

A number of factors can influence breathalyzer results and make it susceptible to a false reading. These include mis-calibration, bugs and glitches in the system, inconsistency, environmental factors, and human error.

It is also possible for a test to be contaminated with the BAC from a prior subject. With so many factors to consider, many DWI attorneys know that given the right circumstances, it can be a viable defense to challenge the reliability of breathalyzer results.

The need for a DWI attorney

Anyone charged with DWI is considered innocent until proven guilty regardless of the circumstances. If you have been arrested for DWI but believe that your BAC results should be questioned, you need to contact an experienced DWI attorney with Kurtz & Blum, PLLC.

With a qualified DWI lawyer’s help, you can have the legal expertise you need to challenge your arrest and possibly render the breathalyzer results invalid.

Source:

  • MAN IN RALEIGH DWI CRASH THAT KNOCKED OUT POWER TO HUNDREDS TESTED AT TWICE LEGAL LIMIT, ABC11.com

Schedule a consultation
with our dedicated legal team today

Our attorneys stand ready to hear your story and give you the legal advice you need to take the next steps.

Meet Our Attorneys

Choosing a lawyer can be one of the most important decisions you ever make. Whether you’re dealing with a criminal charge, a traffic offense, or a family law matter, the attorney you trust to handle your case can make a huge difference in your life and in your future.

Many of the people our law firm works with have never needed to hire an attorney before. They don’t know what to expect or what type of outcome to hope for.

Seth A. Blum

view profile

Howard A. Kurtz

view profile

Colby Berry

view profile

Jared Hammett

view profile

Matthew M. Minikus

Matthew M. Minikus

view profile

Jolie A. Brown

Jolie A. Brown

view profile

Rudy J. Benitez

Rudy J. Benitez

view profile

testimonials

What Our
Clients Are Saying