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(USGovernment-News.Com, August 24, 2013 ) Scottsdale, AZ - At least 11 felony drunk-driving cases will have the blood-tests suppressed after Superior Court Judge Jerry Bernstein’s decision to throw them out. The decision could affect hundreds more. Judge Bernstein ruled that the validity of the blood-testing equipment at the Scottsdale Police Department’s crime lab was questionable.
According to court documents the Scottsdale police were aware of the potential problems with the machine, known as a gas chromatograph, for a few years. Some of the errors included mislabeled vials, erasure of baseline information from measurements, and machine quit running during tests.
Currently only 11 tests from felony cases have been suppressed, however the number could reach into the thousands.
“It potentially affects all of them. If you’re using the same equipment, doing things the same way and the results aren’t reliable, then why wouldn’t you expect unreliable results?” Joe St. Louis, an attorney representing the 11 defendants, told AZCentral.
The 11 cases all involved serious DUI allegations with more than half of the suspects having prior DUI convictions. In 2012 an estimated 5,400 alcohol-related accidents were reported throughout the state. Approximately 62% of these accidents occurred in Maricopa County.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, the victim may be entitled to compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Our experienced Phoenix car accident attorneys can help you determine if you have a case, and if so, how to proceed.
About Phillips Law Group A well-respected name in personal injury law, Phillips Law Group is committed to helping those who have been injured by the actions of another in the state of Arizona. The personal injury attorneys at Phillips Law Group have a wealth of knowledge and experience in auto injury claims, premises liability, dangerous drug litigation, medical malpractice and product liability claims.
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