In most alcohol DUI cases, yes. After a lawful arrest in California, you generally have a choice between a breath test and a blood test for the required chemical test. If the officer offers you the option, you can ask for blood instead of breath.
There is a real reason some people prefer blood. A breath sample is gone the moment you blow, so there is nothing left to independently verify. A blood sample, on the other hand, is preserved. That means your attorney can later request a portion of the sample and have it retested by an independent lab through what is called a blood split motion. If the retest comes back different, it can undercut the prosecution's number.
Blood tests have their own weak points too. The sample can be contaminated, stored improperly, fermented, or mishandled in the chain of custody, and each of those issues is fair game for a defense.
Keep in mind that if the officer suspects drugs rather than alcohol, a blood test may be required because breath machines do not detect drugs. And refusing the chemical test altogether still triggers a one-year suspension. Learn how a blood split motion works and how BAC defense is built.
This is general information, not legal advice, and every case is different. Call Crudo Law at (858) 622-7280 or visit /contact for a free, confidential consultation.