St. Louis DWI Lawyer | Breath Tests
Preliminary/Portable Breath Test (PBT)
A growing trend with police departments is the use of a portable breath test, sometimes called a preliminary breath test or PBT. The PBT is a small handheld device used to help the officer determine if the possible intoxication level of a driver is over the legal limit. This device is gaining popularity because many police officers have arrested a person suspected of drunk driving only to later find out that the driver´s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) does not exceed the State legal limit. This demonstrates the bias some police officers bring into the equation when evaluating driver behavior, conversations with the driver and field sobriety tests.
However, these portable breath tests are not admissible in court and can only be used to help establish probable cause. This is because the units are highly susceptible to error and damage in the field. Since these units are small and portable, they are often not calibrated or maintained properly.
Our experience as former police officers provides us with a unique perspective on every criminal defense case. If you or a loved one has been charged in Missouri or Illinois with DWI/DUI, it is important that you speak with an attorney who is experienced in DWI | DUI defense.
Contact us online or call a St. Louis DWI Lawyer 314-621-0622 for a FREE Consultation and learn how the law applies to your specific situation.
The St. Louis lawyers at Millikan & Millikan, LLC provide DWI Defense, Criminal Defense, Injury and Workers Compensation representation to individuals in the greater St. Louis Area, including: St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Madison County and St. Clair County.
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