U.S. Supreme Court - Drunk Driving Decision

On June 23, 2011, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision involving drunk driving ("DUI").  The defendant had been charged with aggravated drunk driving ( DUI with readings over .15) and the defendant did  submit to a test of his blood.  At trial, the lab technician who analyzed the defendant's blood was unavailable and another lab technician testified regarding the lab report, the analysis of the defendant's blood and that his alcohol level was over the legal limit.   The defendant was convicted of DUI and appealed his conviction.  The Appeals Court upheld his conviction.

The U.S. Supreme Court in reversing the lower courts held that all criminal defendants have the right to confront the witnesses against them.  The defendant in this case was denied his rights to confront the lab technician who analyzed his blood.  The Court concluded the lab report was used to prove a fact in the criminal prosecution of the defendant, mainly that he had high levels of alcohol in his system, and that the defendant had a right to cross-examine the actual lab technician who performed the analysis of his blood.  The other lab technician was insufficient because he did not prepare the actual report.