In DUI cases, courts often rely on evidence from medical records, including blood alcohol content (BAC) results, to support convictions. Recently, a Pennsylvania court affirmed a trial court’s decision to admit BAC evidence from a defendant’s medical records despite the defendant’s challenge based on hearsay and confrontation rights. If you are accused of a DUI crime, it is prudent to meet with a Pennsylvania DUI defense attorney to understand your rights and defenses.
Factual Setting and Procedural History
It is reported that the defendant was involved in a serious vehicle collision after drinking at a local bar and subsequently making an unsafe left turn, resulting in a collision with another vehicle. Allegedly, this accident led to substantial injuries for a passenger in the other car, who required multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. The defendant was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where blood samples were collected and analyzed, revealing a BAC of 0.21.
Allegedly, following her recovery, the defendant was charged with aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and two DUI offenses. She moved to suppress the BAC evidence, arguing that her blood was drawn for legal, not medical, purposes and that its use in court violated her rights. The trial court admitted the BAC evidence under the medical records exception to the hearsay rule, leading to the defendant’s conviction. She subsequently appealed, raising several arguments concerning the admissibility of her medical records. Continue reading