A DUI Lawyer in Michigan Discusses Slurred Speech and DUI Cases

by | Mar 13, 2017 | DUI | 0 comments

Though slurred speech has widely been considered a sign of impairment, research shows the characterization of a person’s speech actually may be more subjective. A study looked at people’s ability of speech during different levels of alcohol intoxication. If you are arrested and charged, your DUI attorney in Michigan will assess the evidence in your case, including whether you had slurred speech, to determine how to construct the most effective defense.

A DUI Lawyer in Michigan on the Study
During the study, the participants were asked to speak during a learning phase, when they were sober and at four Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels. Participants showed speech changes as alcohol increased, but the patterns couldn’t be considered universal because about 20 percent showed no negative changes.

Also, the impact of intoxicated speech was evaluated to determine whether listeners could detect which things were said while a person was under the influence. The participants were asked to make a number of controlled utterances at various simulated alcohol levels, including times when they were actually intoxicated. Those who listened rated the participants more drunk when sober but simulating drunkenness. In a second study, as a DUI lawyer in Michigan will tell you, 61 percent of the time listeners found that the participants sounded less drunk than they were.

Another Study Discussed by a DUI Lawyer in Michigan
In another study, however, audio recordings were made of men uttering sentences both while sober and intoxicated. The listeners were then asked to assess the two sentences and decide which was said while the person drunk. It was found that there were definite changes to speech between those sober and those under the influence.

As a DUI attorney in Michigan will explain, as reflected by such discrepancies in interpreting results, researchers don’t agree that slurred speech is evidence of intoxication, especially at low alcohol levels.

Contact a DUI Lawyer in Michigan for Assistance
Research shows slurred speech is not always an indication of intoxication. If you were arrested and charged with DUI and have questions, call a DUI attorney in Michigan at the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates at 800-961-8477.

Detroit, MI – Multi-Vehicle Wreck w/Injuries on M-5 at I-696

Detroit, MI (November 26, 2023) - After an accident early on Sunday evening, November 26, a local Detroit roadway was nearly completely closed. Multiple right lanes, along with the freeway ramp, of eastbound Michigan Highway 5 at the I-696 exit were closed due to the...

St. Clair Co, MI – Injury-Causing Collision on 31 Mile Rd at Wadhams

St. Clair County, MI (November 26, 2023) - On Sunday afternoon, November 26, a three-vehicle crash resulted in at least one injury at the scene and closed down a local highway, according to local authorities. Several drivers were involved in a collision that shut down...

Detroit, MI – I-75 Site of Injury Car Accident at Adams Rd

Detroit, MI (November 26, 2023) - An accident involving at least two drivers happened on a local highway on Sunday, November 26, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation, resulting in a handful of potential victim injuries. At about 5:35 p.m., EMTs,...

Warren, MI – Injuries Reported in House Fire on 14 Mile Rd

Warren, MI (November 26, 2023) - According to officials with the Detroit Fire Department, a handful of victims were rescued from a home fire that occurred on Sunday, November 26. A house on 14 Mile Road near the Schoenherr Freeway in Warren caught fire at around 5:00...

Detroit, MI – Driver Arrested After Injury Wreck on I-96 at Telegraph

Detroit, MI (November 26, 2023) - Police say that an intoxicated driver caused a rear-end collision on I-96 early Sunday morning, and a man from Southfield is now in custody. Just before 3:30 a.m. in the morning, the Michigan State Police fielded several reports of an...

Madison Heights, MI – Woman Dies in Head-on Crash on 14 Mile Rd

Madison Heights, MI (November 26, 2023) - Late Saturday afternoon in Madison Heights, a woman in her 70s lost her life in a head-on collision. A westbound motorist crossed the centerline and collided with a vehicle driven by a 77-year-old woman, who was traveling east...

Detroit, MI – Three Hospitalized in Hit-and-Run at Schoolcraft & Southfield

Detroit, MI (November 26, 2023) - On Saturday night, a vehicle in Detroit struck three pedestrians, leaving them in serious condition. The incident reportedly took place on the western side of the city, at the intersection of Schoolcraft and the Southfield Freeway, at...

Mason Co, MI – Two Killed in Plane Crash at Mason Co Airport

Mason County, MI (November 26, 2023) - On Sunday morning, just after departure, an aircraft crashed and caught fire, killing two persons. No names were immediately given for the two victims of the collision near Ludington's Mason County Airport. Mason-Oceana 911...

Detroit, MI – Multi-Vehicle Wreck w/Injuries on I-75 After 14 Mile Rd

Detroit, MI (November 25, 2023) - After an accident early on Saturday morning, November 25, a local Detroit roadway was nearly completely closed. Several right lanes of southbound Interstate 75 after the 14 Mile Road exit were closed due to the accident at roughly...

White Lake Twnshp, MI – Gas Explosion, Injuries at Bogie Lake & M-59

White Lake Township, MI (November 25, 2023) - White Lake Township was the scene of a reported gas explosion on Friday night, November 25, and authorities are still looking into the incident. The incident took place near the intersection of Bogie Lake Road and Michigan...