Preliminary Alcohol Screening Versus Chemical Test
It is important to understand that California imposes what is referred to as an “implied consent” law. This law states that if you drive a car in California, and are lawfully arrested for a California DUI, you are deemed to have given consent to the chemical testing of either your:
blood;
breath; or
urine (only in cases where you are suspected of driving under the influence of drugs).
This means that you are required by law to submit to a chemical test to determine the alcohol and/or drug content in your body after you have been lawfully arrested for a California DUI.
However, the hand-held Preliminary Alcohol Screening (“PAS”) test that may be offered at the scene of the vehicle stop, before you get arrested, is not mandatory under this or any California law. Understand that your submission to the PAS test on the side of the road does not absolve you of your legal duty to submit to a subsequent chemical test at the police station.
Although the PAS test is non-mandatory for adults, it is mandatory for those under 21. If you are under 21 and suspected of DUI, you are also deemed to have given consent to the PAS and an additional blood, breath, or urine test.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI, it is critical that you talk to an experiences criminal defense attorney. At Wallin & Klarich, our attorneys have over 30 years experience in defending DUI cases. Our attorneys will defend your rights and fight for the best possible result in your case. Call us at (877) 466-5245. We will be there when you call.
Are Breathalyzers Accurate? What Else Can Be Used? Barstow Criminal Defense Attorney Weighs In
November 16, 2023 By WK MKT
Are Field Sobriety Tests Voluntary?
December 27, 2018 By Matthew Wallin
Do I Have A Legal Right To Refuse A Field Sobriety Test?
July 29, 2015 By Matthew Wallin
X
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles | Long Beach | Glendale | Santa Clarita | Lancaster | Palmdale | Pomona | Torrance | Pasadena | West Covina | Carson | Santa Monica | Whittier | Lakewood | Redondo Beach | Arcadia | Diamond Bar | Glendora | Cerritos | La Mirada | Rancho Palos Verdes | Culver City | Manhattan Beach | Claremont | Beverly Hills | San Dimas | Walnut | Calabasas | Hermosa Beach | El Segundo | Palos Verdes Estates | Malibu
X
Orange County
Santa Ana | Anaheim | Irvine | Huntington Beach | Garden Grove | Orange | Fullerton | Costa Mesa | Mission Viejo | Westminster | Newport Beach | Buena Park | Lake Forest | Tustin | Yorba Linda | San Clemente | Laguna Niguel | La Habra | Fountain Valley | Anaheim Hills | Placentia | Rancho Santa Margarita | Aliso Viejo | Cypress | Brea | Stanton | San Juan Capistrano | Dana Point | Laguna Hills | North Tustin | Seal Beach | Ladera Ranch | Laguna Beach | Laguna Woods | La Palma | Coto de Caza | Los Alamitos | Rossmoor | Midway City | Las Flores | Villa Park
X
Riverside County
Riverside | Moreno Valley | Corona | Temecula | Murrieta | Jurupa Valley | Indio | Hemet | Menifee | Perris | Eastvale | Cathedral City | Palm Desert | Lake Elsinore | Palm Springs | La Quinta | Coachella | San Jacinto | Beaumont | Wildomar | Banning | Norco | Desert Hot Springs | Blythe | Rancho Mirage | Canyon Lake | Calimesa | Indian Wells
X
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino | Fontana | Rancho Cucamonga | Ontario | Victorville | Rialto | Hesperia | Chino | Chino Hills | Upland | Apple Valley | Redlands | Highland | Colton | Yucaipa | Montclair | Adelanto | Twentynine Palms | Loma Linda | Barstow | Yucca Valley | Grand Terrace | Big Bear Lake | Needles
X
San Diego
San Diego | Oceanside | Escondido | Carlsbad | Vista | San Marcos | Encinitas | Solana Beach | El Cajon | Santee | Poway | La Mesa | Del Mar
X
Ventura
Oxnard | Thousand Oaks | Simi Valley | Ventura | Camarillo | Moorpark | Santa Paula | Port Hueneme | Fillmore | Ojai