Breath test admissibility requires which conditions?

• A. The test may be admitted if the officer believes the result is accurate.
• B. Calibrations alone are sufficient; maintenance is optional.
• C. Proper calibration, maintenance, and chain-of-custody documentation of the testing device.
• D. Consent from the suspect is all that is required.

Answer: (C)

Breath test results are only as trustworthy as the device and the process used to generate and preserve them. For a breath test to be admissible, the testing device must be properly calibrated to ensure the readings reflect true results, regularly maintained so it operates correctly, and there must be a complete chain-of-custody record showing who handled the device, when tests were performed, and how samples were stored. This combination protects the accuracy and integrity of the evidence.

Belief in accuracy by the officer isn’t enough, because admissibility rests on objective standards, not personal opinion. Calibration or maintenance alone wouldn’t suffice without proper chain-of-custody, and conversely, chain-of-custody without proper calibration and maintenance wouldn’t guarantee reliable results. Consent matters for collecting a sample, but it doesn’t by itself make the test results admissible if the device and handling fail to meet these standards.