It can happen so easily: a casual outing with drinks can end with the flashing lights of a police car in your rearview mirror. Under Arizona's stringent DUI laws, even if you feel sober and your blood alcohol content (BAC) is below the legal limit of .08, you might still find yourself facing DUI charges. Arizona law permits an officer to arrest you if there is probable cause to believe that any amount of alcohol in your system has impaired your driving.

Law enforcement utilizes several methods to assess BAC, with chemical tests like breath, urine, and blood analysis being the most definitive. For DUI enforcement, breath and blood tests are the most commonly employed, with each method presenting its own set of challenges and accuracies.

Breath Tests: These tests involve portable devices that estimate BAC based on the alcohol concentration in your breath. However, their accuracy can be compromised by various factors, such as the use of mouthwash, recent belching, or even the machine's calibration and the method of administration. Such variables can skew results, potentially indicating a higher BAC than is accurate.

Blood Tests: Generally considered more reliable than breath tests, blood tests measure alcohol concentration directly from a blood sample. These tests require more controlled conditions, usually conducted at a hospital or police station. While more dependable, factors like medical conditions or certain medications can still affect the accuracy of blood test results.

Given the potential for inaccuracies in these testing methods, it's critical to have knowledgeable legal representation if you find yourself accused of a DUI. A skilled attorney can challenge the results based on the specifics of how tests were conducted or the possible influences that could render a test inaccurate. If you're facing DUI charges, regardless of the type of test administered, consulting with a competent defense attorney who understands the nuances of DUI law and testing inaccuracies is essential for a robust defense. This can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case, especially in a state with laws as strict as Arizona's.