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News

Defective Breathalyzer Machines Mean Hundreds of DUIs in Ventura County Could Get Thrown Out

Lindsay William-Ross

Published Apr 19, 2011 11:00 PM

Breathalyzer machines used to gauge blood alcohol levels by authorities in Ventura County appear to have a defect, which means that hundreds of drunken driving convictions could get thrown out based on inaccurate readings, reports the VC Star. The county owns 128 machines, the Intoximeter Alco-Sensor V, which cost about $4,800 apiece.The breathalyzer machines have shown what the Ventura County DA's office call "erratic results" for tests administered between January 20 and March 31 of this year. They are working to determine how many DUI charges this will affect. The DA's office says they will work case by case to ascertain if the defective breathalyzer results were what led to DUI charges, or, in some cases, conviction.

Local law enforcement have ceased using the defective devices, and are instead using an older model for the time being.