Nevada Revised Statutes Section 488.480 - Public Safety - Vehicles - Watercraft

Admissibility of evidence of failure to submit to evidentiary test and results of test; availability of results of test; presumption of accuracy and reliability of testing device; judicial notice of certification of operator of testing device; other evidence not precluded.

1. If a person refuses to submit to a required chemical test provided for in NRS 488.450 or 488.460, evidence of that refusal is admissible in any criminal action arising out of acts alleged to have been committed while the person was:

(a) Operating or in actual physical control of a vessel under power or sail while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance; or

(b) Engaging in any other conduct prohibited by NRS 488.410 or 488.420.

2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3 of NRS 488.450, a court may not exclude evidence of a required test or failure to submit to such a test if the peace officer or other person substantially complied with the provisions of NRS 488.450 to 488.500, inclusive.

3. If a person submits to a chemical test provided for in NRS 488.450 or 488.460, full information concerning that test must be made available, upon his request, to him or his attorney.

4. Evidence of a required test is not admissible in a criminal proceeding unless it is shown by documentary or other evidence that the device for testing breath was certified pursuant to NRS 484.3882 and was calibrated, maintained and operated as provided by the regulations of the Committee on Testing for Intoxication adopted pursuant to NRS 484.3884, 484.3886 or 484.3888.

5. If the device for testing breath has been certified by the Committee on Testing for Intoxication to be accurate and reliable pursuant to NRS 484.3882, it is presumed that, as designed and manufactured, the device is accurate and reliable for the purpose of testing a person’s breath to determine the concentration of alcohol in the person’s breath.

6. A court shall take judicial notice of the certification by the Director of a person to operate testing devices of one of the certified types. If a test to determine the amount of alcohol in a person’s breath has been performed with a certified type of device by a person who is certified pursuant to NRS 484.3886 or 484.3888, it is presumed that the person operated the device properly.

7. This section does not preclude the admission of evidence of a test of a person’s breath where the:

(a) Information is obtained through the use of a device other than one of a type certified by the Committee on Testing for Intoxication.

(b) Test has been performed by a person other than one who is certified by the Director.

Last modified: February 25, 2006