If you have been charged with a Georgia DUI, you are facing an uncertain and scary future. Georgia always makes it onto the list of “toughest DUI laws” states in the nation. Some even put it at the top of the list.
One tool Georgia law enforcement uses to help convict you is the Intoxilyzer 5000. But how reliable is this dreaded machine? According to many studies, not very.
What Is the Intoxilyzer 5000?
Way back in 1927, the first breath tests for alcohol were being explored. In fact, that year, a chemist in Chicago invented the first breathalyzer machine in which the air changed colors when alcohol was present. Later in 1938, the “drunkometer” was invented and used by police.
Since then, breathalyzer machines have become much more sophisticated, and the Intoxilyzer 5000 became the official DUI breath tester used in police departments across Georgia, where a BAC reading of 0.08% is needed to convict.
The Intoxilyzer 5000 is one of the older models manufactured by this company. Other states have adopted the Intoxilyzer 8000, which is much more reliable, but still questioned in DUI cases.
Why Is the Intoxilyzer 5000 Unreliable?
The Intoxilyzer 5000 can be found in police stations across the state of Georgia. Typically, if you are suspected of DUI and taken into the station, you will be given the test there. And, unlike field testing, which you can refuse, your license will be automatically suspended if you refuse this test.
There are many weaknesses in the Intoxilyzer 5000 that Georgia DUI defense attorneys use to defend their clients. This device can be inaccurate if:
- It is used near other devices that produce radio waves that disrupt its power source.
- The person being tested has been using smokeless tobacco, denture adhesive, lip balms, and even breath mints or mouthwash.
- The person being tested suffers from any physical ailments, including liver disease, heartburn, diabetes, and many more.
- The law enforcement officials conducting the tests have been improperly trained.
- The test is conducted during the absorption phase, not the elimination phase that follows alcohol intake.
- The core body temperature of the suspect is higher than average.
- The machine is improperly maintained and/or calibrated.
Fight Your North Georgia DUI Charges
If you or a loved one has been charged with a Georgia DUI and were tested with an Intoxilyzer 5000, you need to get some legal advice—and soon! At the Law Office of Scott Miller, we know how to fight this potentially devastating arrest. Contact an experienced Alpharetta DUI defense attorney today to discover your options.
