|
According to Frederick D. Paoletti, Jr., Founding Principal of the law firm of Paoletti & Gusmano, (http://www.paolettilaw.net), a criminal defense law firm that specializes in Connecticut DWI and DUI cases, many Connecticut drivers are at risk for being arrested this holiday season for driving under the influence, even if they don’t plan on drinking alcohol.
“Many people don’t realized that after they get pulled over, it is common for law enforcement officials to misinterpret the results of a field sobriety test and they can even influence blood alcohol concentration readings from a Breathalyzer,” says Paoletti. “Driving while under the influence is a serious traffic violation that can result in heavy penalties, even for first-time offenders in Connecticut. Understanding and dismissing some of the most common myths about driving under the influence can help you avoid that kind of trouble during the upcoming holiday season.”
According to Paoletti, one of the most common myths about DUI is that the smell of alcohol on your breath is proof of alcohol consumption or intoxication.
“Unfortunately, many law enforcement officers use the smell of alcohol as a gauge to determine if a driver has been drinking,” says Paoletti. “The truth is, alcohol is odorless and the odor more often comes from the ingredients found in alcoholic beverages. For example, a person who drinks a non-alcoholic beer will smell the same as someone who consumes a beer containing alcohol.”
Similarly, he says, the body naturally produces enough alcohol, particularly among smokers and diabetics, to fail a breathalyzer test in Connecticut, even if they’ve not had a drop of alcohol to drink.
“Breathalyzer tests are actually inaccurate thirty percent of the time,” says Paoletti. “The only way to get an accurate reading is through a blood test.”
In fact, Paoletti says that studies have shown that alcohol concentration in the breath can vary considerably and when an officer tells an individual to blow harder into a breathalyzer machine, the chances of getting the most concentrated levels of alcohol, from the bottom of the lungs, is greater.
“This puts individuals at serious risk when it comes to their rights,” says Paoletti. “If you or someone you love is pulled over this holiday season and accused of DUI, be sure to understand the truth about DUI testing and, if arrested, call a professional criminal defense attorney or DUI law firm that specializes in such cases.”
Established in 1990, the Connecticut criminal law firm of Paoletti & Gusmano, (http://www.paolettilaw.net), located at 3301 Main Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 06606, specializes in Connecticut criminal defense law and Connecticut personal injury law. Paoletti & Gusmano Attorneys at Law assist clients throughout Connecticut, including cities in Fairfield and New Haven counties such as Bridgeport, Danbury, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, New Canaan, New Fairfield, Newtown, Redding, Shelton, Sherman, Stratford, Weston, Westport, Wilton, Beacon Falls, Branford, Cheshire, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Middlebury, Milford, Naugatuck, New Haven, North Branford, Prospect, Seymour, Wallingford, Waterbury, and Woodbridge. For more information and a free consultation call (203) 371-1000.
|
—
