Developing a viable cannabis breathalyzer • Hacker News Board

Re: Developing a viable cannabis breathalyzer

#51

Post by evil-olive » Mon, Aug 06, 2018, 5:12 AM UTC

snvzz wrote: post #48

sithadmin wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In most US states, the 'legal limit' as detected with a breathalyzer is just a threshold that results in automatically being charged with a DUI/DWI if you exceed it. Blowing under the threshold doesn't provide you any kind of legal protection against being charged with a DUI/DWI.

So, in short, you should never blow, as that's never going to help you in any way?

In most states, refusing a breathalyzer test can cause suspension of your license, even if you are completely sober:

https://dui.findlaw.com/dui-arrests/can-i-refuse-a-breathaly...

Sadly, as with many things in our criminal justice system, the answer ends up being "hope that you're not prosecuted by mistake, and that you have enough money for a lawyer if you are".

Re: Developing a viable cannabis breathalyzer

#52

Post by mindslight » Mon, Aug 06, 2018, 5:19 AM UTC

IAmGraydon wrote: post #39

rocky12 wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was charged with a DWI a year ago. The case is still going through the court system. I was pulled over for speeding, going 36 in 35. Yes I am serious, one mile over. But this wasn't surprising to me, I am a young Hispanic man so this is a normal occurrence for me. First thing the officer said was "boy you look nervous". As most adults pulled over by police feel. I handed my license and insurance over. The license h…

I must be missing something here. What are you actually charged with? DUI? How can that stand in court at all if the breathalyzer obviously proves you were under the limit?

The main thing you're missing is that the official story of the "justice system" is a fairytale. Once you're in its sights, their literal day job is to make your life hell. They get paid to do this and go home at 5, while you pay for and live it.

Presently its damages are externalities paid for by a fucked-up reverse lottery that we're all playing, most blissfully unaware. A significant fix would be to make the state responsible for the entire cost of all defense, days spent in a cage or court, any bail fees, and emotional distress. Having to pay compensation for their "mistakes" would obviously further increase the scumbags' perverse incentive to obtain convictions/pleas. But you'd hope after they had paid out enough for persecuting frivolous cases, budgetary constraints would necessitate a bit of downsizing.

Re: Developing a viable cannabis breathalyzer

#53

Post by mindslight » Mon, Aug 06, 2018, 5:28 AM UTC

jotm wrote: post #19

hirundo wrote: post #2

Why use less reliable proxies like breathalizers to gauge impairment when we now have the technology to measure it far more directly: convert traffic cop cars into mobile virtual reality driving simulators. Put a gaming laptop in the trunk, and the DWI suspect behind the wheel with a VR headset on and let them drive through a couple of minutes of reasonably challenging simulated traffic. Let software come up with an…

Aside from the other issues, how do you expect your average police officer to handle that thing? You know they're not exactly the brightest people, right?

You tell the cop there's a problem with the simulator. He sits down. You point out that other driver just ran a red light. He gives chase on the simulator. You walk away. Sorted.