This is the fourth of a four-part series of blogs delving into the reliability of BAC tests commonly used by law enforcement officers in Ohio.
This blog considers the reliability of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) urine tests, or urinalysis tests. Other BAC tests that will be considered in previous blogs are the BAC breath test, or breathalyzer, and the BAC blood test. If any of these tests have been administered to you after a DUI traffic stop, you should contact an experienced Columbus DUI attorney right away. Call Luftman, Heck & Associates today at (614) 500-3836.
BAC Urine Test
Urine tests for BAC are considered the least accurate of the three testing methods mentioned in this series of blogs. Generally, this test is not used unless the other options are not available. A person’s urine is tested for BAC by correlating the urine-to-alcohol ratio detected within the person’s system with the BAC. The ratio of 1.33:1 urine alcohol to BAC is most often used. However, this method is considered quite subjective. Some studies have determined that the actual BAC in the blood can vary significantly from the urine alcohol level.
As well, urine tests generally cannot be performed at the time of the traffic stop which allows valuable time pass until the urine is tested. Another factor that may skew results is that alcohol can take as much as 60 minutes to be present in a person’s urine – and that alcohol can remain in the person’s system for as long as 6 to 24 hours. Thus, a positive BAC urine test result may not prove the subject was under the influence of alcohol when the incident occurred.
The toxicology aspect of testing urine for its alcohol level is similar to that of the blood testing method. Therefore, the results can be inaccurate due to the same issues of improper storage, mishandling, etc.
Call a Columbus DUI Lawyer Today
If you have been stopped or arrested for a DUI, you need to seek the legal assistance of an experienced Columbus DUI Lawyer. Our attorneys at Luftman, Heck & Associates understand that the chemical BAC tests frequently used by law enforcement officers in Ohio are unreliable. We know how to challenge them and point out other holes in the prosecution’s case against you. If you are ready to begin forming your defense against DUI charges, call us today at (614) 500-3836.
