Jack Rice Discusses Criminal Vehicular Homicide Cases and Blood on Court TV
Jack Rice, a respected criminal defense attorney based in St. Paul, Minnesota, recently appeared on Court TV to discuss the complexities of criminal vehicular homicide cases, focusing on the critical role that blood evidence plays in these prosecutions. With years of experience handling serious criminal cases, Jack provided key insights into how the state collects, preserves, and analyzes blood samples—and how errors in these processes can have serious consequences. If you are facing criminal vehicular homicide, operation charges or simply DWI charges in Minnesota, reach out to Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation at 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339.
“Blood evidence is crucial and if the government screws it up, their case can fail.”
One of the central issues Jack discussed was the importance of proper blood collection and storage. When law enforcement draws blood from a suspect, multiple factors can impact the reliability of the results. The type of vials used, the preservatives included, how the vials are handled and how the preservative is distributed and even the presence of acetone in the blood can all affect the accuracy of toxicology findings. If these procedures are not followed precisely, the validity of the evidence can be challenged in court.
Another critical topic was fermentation in blood samples. Fermentation can occur when blood is not properly preserved, leading to artificially elevated blood alcohol concentration (BAC) readings. This can create a false impression that a defendant was over the legal limit when, in reality, the sample was compromised and would have been under the limit. If the state relies on flawed evidence, an innocent person could face wrongful conviction—or, conversely, a case may be dismissed if the defense successfully challenges the integrity of the blood test.
“Spending the time to look at these issues can make all of the difference. Jack is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist and less than 3% of all defense attorneys hold this designation.”
The stakes in these cases could not be higher. In Minnesota, a conviction for criminal vehicular homicide or criminal vehicular operation can lead to severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, substantial fines, and a permanent criminal record. Even a simple DWI charge involving a blood draw can be contested if there are issues with how the sample was handled.
If you or a loved one is facing charges related to criminal vehicular homicide, criminal vehicular operation, or DWI in Minnesota, and the case involves a blood draw, it is essential to have an experienced defense attorney on your side. Jack Rice Defense understands the science behind blood evidence and knows how to challenge improper procedures that could make or break a case.