State v. Hinz

In State v. Hinz, 121 Wis. 2d 282, 360 N.W.2d 56 (Ct. App. 1984), the Court concluded that the trial court erred when it refused to admit a DOT blood alcohol chart used to train breath examination specialists, which the defendant had offered in an attempt to refute the results of his breathalyzer test. The trial court in Hinz determined that the blood alcohol chart was relevant to the defendant's case, but excluded the chart after determining that, without expert testimony to explain it, the chart's probative value was outweighed by the danger of confusion of the jury. See id. at 285. The Court concluded, however, that the blood alcohol chart, like a DOT stopping distance chart, was sufficiently reliable and straightforward to be admitted into evidence without expert testimony. See 121 Wis. 2d at 286-288.