DWI Blood Tests

When a police officer suspects someone is driving while under the influence of alcohol, the first thing they do is stop the vehicle.

The officer approaches the driver’s side door and begins an interaction with the suspect drunk driver that will very likely end up in the court of law.

In New Hampshire, drunk driving is a serious offense and if you have been stopped for suspected DWI/DUI, you should immediately contact lawyer Michael Anzalone. He is well-versed in New Hampshire’s laws pertaining to driving while intoxicated.

Upon approaching the vehicle an officer begins observing the suspect. He or she looks for signs of intoxication, which could be something as simple as empty liquor bottles or beer cans on the seat or floorboard.

The officer can also do a series of field sobriety tests, which include exercises such as walking a straight line, or reciting the ABCs.

At some point the officer will want to administer tests to measure the concentration of alcohol in your blood. In some cases, they may ask you to take a breath test. Or they may request a blood test.

In fact, the blood test is one of the surest methods of measuring a person’s blood alcohol content.

New Hampshire’s state statutes RSA 265-A:4 allow officers to request a blood test from suspects.

Your DWI attorney will make sure the police officers abided by state laws when they arrested you. The law says that blood tests must be administered by a licensed doctor or a medical staff that is certified to do such testing. So you’ll most likely be taken to a hospital for this.

According to the statutes, the blood test will be analyzed in a state-approved forensic laboratory or by a facility that is licensed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This protocol must be followed.

Once the blood test results are completed, they will be fully admissible in court as evidence that will be presented by prosecutors. Remember, the blood tests will give a reading of everything in your system, whether it’s the concentration of alcohol, or drugs.

DWI lawyer Michael Anzalone, and other defense attorneys, would probably recommend that you refuse a blood alcohol test for just that reason. By refusing, the Department of Motor Vehicles may take your driver’s license for a period of time. On the other hand, a BAC reading of 0.08 percent or higher would probably mean a DWI conviction.

So, if you are going to drink or take drugs and get behind the wheel of a vehicle, keep this in mind.

At The Anzalone Law Firm in Nashua, New Hampshire, we encourage clients to become familiar with the state’s statutes and to be fully knowledgeable on whether you should refuse a blood test.

The best advice Michael Anzalone can offer is to never drink and drive.

If you do, call Anzalone at 603.548.3797 for a free consultation. We’re here for you 24/7.