Counsel Contention: Case Study

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»Counsel Contention: Counsel for the respondent argued that the result of the breath tests should not be relied upon since the prior breath tests were not successful due to interference detected and the machine was not working properly. In addition, Deputy Ranes opened the door and used the fan to ventilate the room. Moreover, deputy did not observe Respondent for 15 minutes since she left the room. » Determination: Counsels contentions have been considered and determined to be insufficient to overcome the preponderance of evidence in that based on department’s evidence and deputy’s testimony. Deputy Ranes signed the DS-367 Officer sworn statement under penalty of perjury and certified by signing the chemical test section of the DS-367 …show more content…

Deputy Ranes testified that he can not recall Respondent left the room without any supervision and from each time of the tests he waited 15 minutes and he observed Respondents for 15 minutes prior to the last test. In addition, he used the fan to ventilate the room, which is not a violation of Title 17, and counsel did not present any proof or expert testimony that using the fan and opening the door invalidate the results or resulting into malfunctioning the equipment. In addition, Counsel provide not proof or expert testimony that device was not checked for accuracy and was not working properly, Moreover, there is no evidence present by counsel that officer did not observe for 15 minutes. The Department also relies on the three-hour rebuttable presumption afforded under CVC Section 23152 (b), which indicates that a chemical test administered within three hours of driving reflects the BAC at the time of driving. These presumptions can only be rebutted via reliable evidence, not mere speculation or argument of counsel. In the absence of affirmative evidence to

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