Livonia Drunk Driving - Can the judge test me for drugs when I go to the 16th District Court?

​Yes, if charged with drunk driving at the 16th District Court in Michigan, one of the two judges will likely make drug testing part of your pretrial bond.  If you've used drugs in the recent past, it is important to discuss those consequences with your attorney to figure out how to best address it with the court - honesty is usually the best policy in these situations.  Here are some potential methods to test you. 

• Oral fluid or saliva tests. This test uses a swab to collect oral fluid. Currently this technology requires the sample to be sent to a lab for analysis. This form of testing has drawbacks related to the level of drug that can be detected as well as a short detection window.
• Sweat patches. This is a noninvasive means of detection that is worn for an extended period of time. When removed, the patch is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
• Hair testing. It is unlikely that this method of testing for drugs will be used or accepted as a bond condition. Although hair testing can detect historical drug usage, the time it takes for drug usage to show up in the follicle and the hair to grow long enough for a sample to be collected precludes its use in these circumstances.
• Urine testing. The most common method of testing for drug usage is the use of urine screens. Before a urine sample is tested for the presence of drugs, it is first tested to determine that it is in fact urine and to determine if there are any adulterants present that would defeat the test. After passing the initial screening, an immunoassay screening is the most common means of detecting drug usage. These tests use antibodies designed to react only with the drugs being tested. If a drug or metabolite is present above a certain amount, it will react with the antibody, causing a chemical reaction and a positive result. Your client should be counseled that, in the event of a positive urine screen, he or she must ask that it be sent to a laboratory for confirmation to contest the results of the test. All testing centers should have procedures for sending tests for confirmation. There is a charge for the confirming test. A client who does not have the cash in hand should ask that the sample be held until he or she promptly returns with the funds. Confirmation testing at a laboratory will be by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.