Minnesota Blood Alcohol Testing Attorneys & Lawyers

A blood alcohol test measures the amount of alcohol in your body. Alcohol is quickly absorbed into the blood and can be measured within minutes of having an alcoholic drink. In Minnesota, you have a choice as to how your blood alcohol will be measured. You may be allowed to choose between a breath test, blood test or urine test.

Call us today at 763.323.6555 or contact us by e-mail to schedule a free consultation. Protect your rights if you've submitted to blood alcohol testing.

Breath Tests

Breath tests do not directly measure blood alcohol concentration or content. Instead, such tests estimate blood alcohol concentration or content indirectly by measuring the amount of alcohol in one's breath. They not only detect the ethyl alcohol found in alcohol beverages, but also in other substances that have a similar molecular structure.

Breath tests can result in false readings caused from cell phones, police radios, electrical interference, moisture, dirt, and tobacco smoke; substances or compounds found in gasoline, paint removers, cleaning fluids, celluloid, and lacquers; vomit, or alcohol present in the person's mouth; increased breathing rate caused by vigorous exercise, hyperventilation, or a person holding their breath; and law enforcement personnel fail to use the breathalyzers properly or fail to properly maintain and re-calibrate the units when necessary.

Blood Draws

The methodology used for blood alcohol testing is "gas chromatography" and is the most accurate forensic quality test available. However, drawing blood is an invasive procedure that most defendants prefer to avoid. The tester will rap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This makes the veins below the band larger so it is easier to put a needle into the vein. Next, they clean the needle site with a non-alcohol solution such as iodine or antiseptic soap and put the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed.
Once the needle is attached a tube to the needle to fill it with blood. Once all blood is collected, the will remove the band from your arm and put a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed. Finally, pressure will be placed on the needle site and then put on a bandage.

Urine Tests

Although urine alcohol testing will indicate the presence of alcohol in a driver's body, it will not indicate an individual's current blood alcohol content. Once a drink is consumed, alcohol enters the bloodstream, through the stomach, within a few minutes, causing immediate impairment. The alcohol is then metabolized by the body and will begin to show up in the urine in approximately 90 minutes. Therefore, urine alcohol tests do not measure a true condition of the driver. The results indicate the person's condition several hours before operating a motor vehicle.

Urine alcohol concentration will vary with a person's metabolism rate and the amount of liquids in their digestive system. For example, a person who is slightly dehydrated will tend to have a higher alcohol concentration in their urine than someone who has consumed a normal amount of fluids.
A urine alcohol test is the least accurate test available for testing in DWI cases.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

If you have questions about blood alcohol testing, give us a call. We're her to provide you with answers and guidance. Contact our Minnesota DWI defense firm now at 763.323.6555 to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.

Client Testimonial: "The firm did an outstanding job on my case. Jason's efforts resulted in the dismissal of several counts and a reduction of the remaining charge so I didn't have to serve any jail time. I highly recommend the Brown Law Offices. The attorneys and staff were very responsive to my needs and on top of things. They handled my case with efficiency and stood by my side when I was worried about my future." - Robert P., North Branch, Minnesota

Serving Clients Statewide

Our Minnesota blood alcohol test defense lawyers represent clients throughout Minnesota, including the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, Mankato, St. Cloud, Moorhead, Apple Valley, Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Coon Rapids, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Lakeville, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Roseville and Woodbury.

Contact the Brown Law Offices, P.A. by e-mail or call 763.323.6555 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Minneapolis, Minnesota, blood alcohol test lawyer.

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