Preliminary Breath Test - PBT

A Preliminary Breath Test, sometimes referred to as a PBT, is commonly used by Kansas law enforcement during a DUI investigation, out on the streets. After FTS's, the officer uses the PBT to confirm the FST results, by estimating blood alcohol content (BAC), to then make the arrest. The driver blows into a PBT machine, revealing if alcohol is detected on the breath. Although law enforcement officers must wait 15 to 20 minutes before administering this test, they rarely do. This can lead to suppression of the PBT results, which can be very important when the judge determines whether there was probable cause to make an arrest. This is important because if there was a lack of probable cause (PC), the results of the actual Intoxilyzer 8000 administered to the Defendant, may be suppressed. The PBT results are not generally admissible in court during a DUI trial as the PBT instruments are not that scientifically reliable. However, it can be admissible if the Defendant challenges. Thus, as a criminal defense lawyer representing a client in a DUI case, I will sometimes stipulate to the PBT to prevent it from coming in. This is different from the larger Intoxilyzer instrument, often administered at the police station. The Intoxilyzer 8000 breath test is deemed more reliable by courts, and is admissible unless the criminal defense attorney can find a way to prevent this evidence from coming into trial, via a suppression motion or otherwise. Blood Tests are the most reliable form of testing blood alcohol concentration.

Kansas Law Enforcement is supposed to use only PBT devices approved through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

Approved Manufacturer Model List of PBTs for Kansas Law Enforcement

Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corp.

Alert J5

CMI, Inc. Intoxilyzer 300

CMI, Inc Intoxilyzer 400

CMI, Inc. Intoxilyzer S-D2

CMI, Inc. Intoxilyzer S-D5

Draeger Safety, Inc. Alcotest 6510

Draeger Safety, Inc. Alcotest 6810

Draeger Safety, Inc. Breathalyzer 7410

Guth Laboratories, Inc. WAT89EC-1

Guth Laboratories, Inc. Alcotector BAC-100

Intoximeters, Inc. Alco-Sensor

Intoximeters, Inc.

Alco-Sensor Pass-Warn-Fail

Intoximeters, Inc. Alco-Sensor III

Intoximeters, Inc. Alco-Sensor Digital

Intoximeters, Inc. Alco-Sensor IV Digital

Intoximeters, Inc.

Alco-Sensor IV Pass-Warn-Fail

Intoximeters, Inc. Alco-Sensor FST

Lifeloc Technologies, Inc. FC10

Lifeloc Technologies, Inc. FC10Plus

Lifeloc Technologies, Inc. FC20

Lifeloc Technologies, Inc. PBA 3000

Sound-Off, Inc. AlcoData

If you have been charged with DUI, contact an experienced drunk dirivng defense attorney at our law firm now. We strive to be the best lawyers possible. We regularly litigate in Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, Leawood, Shawnee, and Johnson County, KS.