DUI Defense Attorney Manuel J. Barba
'As a lawyer, you can’t properly defend a DUI alcohol or drug case unless you have an understanding of the science associated with the analysis of the evidence. - Manuel J. Barba
Riverside, California (PRWEB) January 09, 2015
Attorney Manuel J. Barba completed the required courses for the ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer Scientist Designation at: Axion Laboratories, Inc. in Chicago, IL.
The first course: “Introduction to Forensic Chromatography” focused on ethanol analysis using Head Space Gas Chromatography with a Flame Ionization Detector. This is the process used by most government crime labs in analyzing a driver’s blood sample to try to convict someone of driving under the influence.
The second course: “Forensic Drug Analysis: Solid Drug Dose Testing” involved the instrumental analysis of solid drugs in their pre-consumption form using Gas Chromatography coupled with a Mass Spectrometer. The course participant learns scientific methods to answer questions such as: Is that white powder cocaine? What is the concentration of the heroin seized? Is that tablet legal drugs or illegal drugs? Is this a counterfeit or pharmaceutical drug? The course focused on all drugs of potential abuse including illicit drugs, marijuana, pharmaceuticals, synthetic canabinoids, and synthetic cathinones. The course teaches participants to understand how drug testing in pre-consumption form (solid drug dose) is conducted for nearly all drugs of abuse, sources of uncertainty (misidentification) of the qualitative measure, sources of uncertainty (wrong concentration or weight) of the quantitative measure, representative sampling, validation of methods, bench work, and federal analog act prosecution. Attendees used reagents (colormetric tests), GC-MS, GC-FID, and FTIR instruments with samples containing unknowns.
The third course: “Forensic Principles of DUID” focused on the analysis of biological fluids (blood, urine, hair, oral fluid) for drugs of abuse. As the name implies, it focuses on DUID from the alleged motorist’s point of view. The course included instrumental analysis on the qualitative and quantitative analysis, in addition to pharmacology including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The course involved hands-on use of instruments and actual processing of biological samples.
The fourth course: “Advanced Forensic Chromatography” focused on more advanced topics related to Head Space Gas Chromatography including troubleshooting problems that arise in the chromatography process.
After completing all four courses, Attorney Barba had to pass a rigorous written examination to be eligible for the ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist Designation. There are currently only four lawyers throughout the State of California that have received the ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist Designation.
Like “poet-warrior” or “philosopher-king,” there are lawyers of a new breed known as the ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist. The ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist is one who uses validated and legitimate science for the benefit of justice. These are lawyers who study the science and apply it legitimately in the courtroom. They expose invalid or non-validated science and use valid science in the courtroom. They eschew the smoke and mirrors techniques of old and embrace the science for the benefit of all. More details on ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer – Scientist can be found at: http://www.forensicchromatography.com/
In addition, attorney Manuel J. Barba has been awarded the AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell®. The Martindale-Hubbell® AV® Preeminent™ rating is the highest possible rating for an attorney for both ethical standards and legal ability. This rating represents the pinnacle of professional excellence.
Attorney Barba has also been awarded a “superb” #10 rating by Avvo.com, the highest rating a lawyer can receive.
Attorney Barba is a Specialist member of the California DUI Lawyers Association and is a member of its Board of Directors. Attorney Barba is also an active member of the National College for DUI Defense, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, and is a founding member of the National DUI Defense Lawyers Association.
Attorney Manuel J. Barba is also a nationally recognized Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) Instructor, having completed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) / International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) DWI Detection Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor Program, and has participated in teaching SFST courses throughout the United States to other lawyers.
Attorney Barba is also trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) protocols by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This gives Mr. Barba the specialized knowledge necessary to evaluate arrests made by law enforcement officers for DUI-Drugs.
Attorney Barba has also received advanced training in Breath Alcohol Testing Analysis, having attended various advanced courses related to breath alcohol testing.
For more information about Southern California DUI Defense Attorney Manuel J. Barba and his law practice, you can call (866)442-2722 or visit: http://www.BarbaLawyer.com