Understanding Urine Tests
A person suspected of DUI will typically be given a choice of chemical tests to determine his or her level of intoxication. The most common types of tests are breath, blood, and urine. Of these, urine tests are the least reliable. The concentration of alcohol in urine is about 1/3 greater than it would be in blood, meaning that urine tests are prone to over-reporting a person’s blood alcohol concentration. Furthermore, for DUI cases involving drugs, urine tests cannot determine how recently a person has used an illicit substance.
If you or someone you know has been accused of driving under the influence based on the results of a urine test, your rights and freedoms are at stake. Contact Rhode Island DUI defense lawyer James Powderly at 401-662-9006 to discuss your situation and begin formulating your defense.
Problems with DUI Urine Tests
Urine tests are considered the least reliable DUI test for a number of reasons. Among other things, these include:
- Alcohol concentration is higher in urine
- Alcohol often remains longer in urine than it does in the blood
- Urine tests can demonstrate traces of illicit substances but do not indicate when the substance was ingested
- Many substances can result in a false positive for illicit drugs in a urine test
For these reasons, urine tests are considered fairly unreliable. If you have been accused of DUI because of the results of a urine test, the above examples are some of the things your lawyer may argue to demonstrate the invalidity of the result.
Contact Us
If you or someone you know has been charged with driving under the influence, it is important that you obtain legal representation to ensure that your rights are protected. Contact Rhode Island DUI defense attorney James Powderly at 401-662-9006 to talk to an experienced legal professional and learn more about your options.
