Georgia DUI Urine Test

Of the three chemical tests used in DUI investigations (blood, breath and urine), the urine test is used the least often. It is not as reliable as a blood test and it is not easily obtainable like a breath test that can be performed by a police officer. However, urine tests are often used in DUI investigations where it is believed that a person has been driving under the influence of drugs. Remember, driving under the influence can refer to drugs and alcohol. The reason urine testing is often the preferred method in DUI investigations involving drugs is that many substances stay in a person’s urine much longer than it does in their bloodstream.

At The Law Office of Larry Kohn, we represent clients who have been charged with DUI involving drugs and/or alcohol. If you were given a urine test, it is important that your rights were protected, and that your sample was legally obtained and analyzed.

During a urine drug test, it is recommended that a volume of 30 milliliters of urine is collected. However, since urine tests show a history of what has been in a person’s bloodstream, it is not a great method for calculating a person’s actual “impairment” based on what is presently in their urine. In fact, according to the Society of Forensic Toxicologists, they do not believe that analyzing urine is a foundation for determining the kind of affect a substance or alcohol can have on a person’s behavior.

If you were given a urine test because police had probable cause to believe you were driving under the influence of alcohol, it is recommended that you urinate prior to giving a sample. After some time, you should be allowed to produce a urine sample. In fact, this is recommended by the American Medical Association, even though it is typically not carried out this way by law enforcement.

If you were given a urine test because police had probable cause to believe you were driving under the influence of drugs, Georgia law currently states that any amount of benzoylecgonine will result in a DUI charge. This substance found in the illegal drug, cocaine.