Can I Refuse to Take the Blood Alcohol Test?

Reader’s Question:

I was pulled over by a police officer over a week ago because of a drunk driving suspicion here in Arizona and was charged with DUI. I didn’t agree to have a blood alcohol test but the officer said that I can’t refuse. Don’t I have the right to refuse that test?

David

Tucson, Arizona

DUI is confirmed by either taking field sobriety tests (FST) or an estimation of the blood alcohol levels. It is not required by law to agree to FST so you may opt to refuse to that. However, having an Arizona driver’s license automatically implies the consent of the driver to agree to chemical tests that determine sobriety if requested by the police officer. Various testing options exist, including breath, urine or blood. That is actually under the “Implied Consent Law.” If a driver refused to have a blood alcohol test, you have to be ready for the consequences.

Since it prompts suspicion of intoxication, a violation of the “Implied Consent Law” has serious repercussions during the court proceedings. In Arizona, the refusal to cooperate itself would be considered as a separate offense that results in the suspension of the driver’s license for a term or adds jail time to the pronounced sentence.

Can I Refuse to Take the Blood Alcohol Test?


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