If you are suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, you may be requested to take a breath test. Although this is optional, breath test refusal can lead to the automatic loss of your driving license. However, there are many reasons you might feel unwilling to take a breath test. Such was the case for one man in Florida recently.
The 31-year-old male driver was found unconscious in the front seat of his car early one Saturday morning. Deputies were called to the scene, and they tried to rouse the driver. Upon awakening, his first reaction was to put his foot on the gas. However, he responded to the deputies’ request to stop and underwent field sobriety tests.
After being taken to the jail located in Collier County, the driver declined to take a breath test, requesting a blood test instead. He explained to the officers that he had apprehensions about the testing equipment’s accuracy due to past experiences with them.
This Florida man’s worries about breath tests are not uncommon or unfounded. The machines can be incorrect, and their results can lead to serious consequences if you are found to be over the legal limit. However, refusing a breath test comes with its own risks, so it is important to know where you stand. A knowledgeable attorney can help you to understand and defend your position.
Refusing a breath test is not an admission of guilt, and there are ways to avoid having your license revoked automatically. Careful consideration of your case and consultation with someone familiar with the law can help you to retain your driver’s license and avoid costly DUI charges.
Source: Naples Daily News, “Police Beat: Sunday, March 30, 2014,” March 30, 2014
