Imagine sitting in a Colorado courtroom while the prosecutor points to a blood test result that looks impossible to overcome. It is easy to feel like the numbers on that page decide your future. Those numbers come from complex scientific processes that can be tested, challenged, and sometimes shown to be wrong.

That is where a forensic lawyer-scientist comes in. Attorney Joe Maher recently earned the ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist designation, a credential from the American Chemical Society’s Chemistry and the Law Division that recognizes attorneys who use validated, legitimate science in the pursuit of justice. When your freedom and driver’s license are on the line, that mix of scientific training and courtroom experience can be the difference between a conviction and a better outcome.

This article explains what a forensic lawyer-scientist is, how Joe’s rare training applies to Colorado DUI cases, and why it should be on your shortlist when you are choosing a DUI attorney in Colorado Springs or anywhere in Southern Colorado.

What a forensic lawyer-scientist actually does

A forensic lawyer-scientist is not simply a lawyer who studied science. The ACS-CHAL designation is reserved for attorneys who complete intensive coursework in topics like forensic chromatography, forensic drug analysis, and the forensic principles of driving under the influence of drugs at Axion Analytical Labs in Chicago, and then pass a rigorous proficiency exam in forensic science concepts.

The American Chemical Society describes an ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist as a lawyer who studies the underlying chemistry, understands how forensic instruments really work, and uses validated science to expose unreliable methods in court. Instead of accepting a lab report at face value, a lawyer-scientist can:

• Read chromatograms, calibration curves, and quality control data
• Spot signs of contamination, fermentation, or improper storage in blood samples
• Identify missing steps in the lab’s standard operating procedures
• Explain complex concepts like gas chromatography or mass spectrometry in terms that judges and juries can understand

In short, a forensic lawyer-scientist speaks the same technical language as the state’s chemists and holds them to the same standards real scientists use.

Why Joe Maher’s scientific training matters in a Colorado DUI case

Joe Maher is now one of only four lawyers in the entire State of Colorado to hold the ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist designation. That scientific credential builds on more than a decade of trial experience in criminal law and a track record that includes not guilty verdicts, case dismissals, and hard-fought reductions for people facing DUI and other serious charges throughout Colorado.

Joe has completed advanced training in forensic chromatography, forensic drug analysis, and forensic principles of DUID through Axion Analytical Labs and then proved his knowledge on a comprehensive proficiency exam. He uses that training in real cases, not as a talking point. While every case is different and results are never guaranteed, Joe has fought and has won jury trials where the state’s blood evidence was above the legal limit.

He has also been voted by his peers as one of Colorado Springs’ top DUI attorneys in Colorado Springs Magazine’s Top Attorneys list three years in a row, 2023 through 2025. He holds a perfect 10 out of 10 rating on Justia’s attorney directory and maintains active memberships in the National College for DUI Defense, DUI Defense Lawyers Association, and the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar.

Joe sums up his approach this way: “As a Forensic Lawyer-Scientist, I believe every client deserves a defense grounded in truth and science. Understanding the intricacies of the various blood-alcohol, blood-drug testing methods used by the State gives me the ability to hold the government accountable in the courtroom and ensure my clients’ rights are fully protected.”

For clients, that combination of credentials matters for two simple reasons.

First, you get scientific firepower in your corner. Joe can dig into the state’s blood or breath evidence, identify weaknesses, and challenge them with real data.

Second, you get a trial lawyer who understands what you are going through. Maher & Maher Law’s voice is steady and human. The firm understands that most clients are good people going through one of the most stressful moments of their lives, and every defense is built around protecting both your rights and your future.

Where DUI science often goes wrong

DUI cases often look scientific on paper, but the underlying testing is far from perfect. A forensic lawyer-scientist knows how and where things go wrong and what to do with that information in court.

Blood tests: handling and lab errors

Blood alcohol concentration testing is usually performed with sophisticated instruments such as gas chromatographs. Those instruments can produce accurate results, but only if the sample is collected, stored, and analyzed correctly.

Real-world experience and reported cases show that:

• Improper storage, contamination, or fermentation of blood samples can change alcohol levels and produce inaccurate readings.
• Colorado has previously had to retest around 1,700 DUI blood samples and has acknowledged incorrect blood tests after lab employees failed to follow proper procedures.

Joe’s training teaches him to examine the chain of custody, anticoagulant levels, preservative use, and the lab’s quality control data. When something in that process does not meet accepted scientific standards, it creates an opportunity to suppress the evidence, exclude test results, or undermine the prosecution’s case in front of a jury.

How Joe uses science to build your defense

Every DUI case is different, but Joe’s approach usually follows a few clear steps.

Comprehensive scientific review of the evidence 

Joe may request full discovery from the prosecution, including raw chromatograms, calibration records, maintenance logs, and lab standard operating procedures. He reviews them line by line, looking for red flags such as missing quality control runs, inconsistent calibration checks, or unexplained gaps in the chain of custody.

Targeted cross-examination of lab personnel and officers 

Because he speaks the same scientific language as the state’s experts, Joe can ask specific questions that expose mistakes, shortcuts, or unsupported assumptions. Instead of a general “were you trained,” he can drill into chromatographic settings, validation studies, and the lab’s written procedures.

Working with independent forensic experts when needed 

In some cases, Joe has brought in outside chemists, quality assurance experts and toxicologists to independently review the data or perform re-testing. He knows and works with the right experts when the circumstances require. This allows the defense to present a clear alternative story backed by expert testimony, not just argument.

Using science in negotiations and at trial 

When the prosecution knows its scientific evidence will be tested, it often changes how they look at the case. Weaknesses in a blood test or breath test can support dismissal of charges, meaningful reductions, or more favorable plea agreements. If a case goes to trial, that same scientific analysis can help create reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors who might otherwise treat chemical test results as automatic proof of guilt.

Why this designation matters when you choose a DUI lawyer

There are many DUI attorneys in Colorado, and not every case turns on complex lab work. But when your case rests on a blood test, having a lawyer with Joe’s rare mix of credentials gives you an advantage.

A forensic lawyer-scientist can:

• Spot scientific defenses that other attorneys may miss
• Translate complex data into clear, direct stories for judges and juries
• Hold government labs to the standards they are supposed to follow
• Back up legal arguments with peer-reviewed science and real-world data

Just as important, Maher & Maher Law never loses sight of the person behind the case file. The firm’s mission is “Justice with Integrity.” In practice, that means giving you honest advice, explaining your options in plain language, and fighting for the best outcome the law and the facts support.

Finally

A DUI charge in Colorado can feel overwhelming, but the science behind the state’s evidence is not as simple, straight-forward, and objective as it may seem. Forensic Toxicology labs do not always get it right, and in some instances may even fabricate results – right here in Colorado. https://cbi.colorado.gov/sections/administration/media-relations/yvonne-missy-woods-investigation With Joe Maher’s ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist training, his decade of trial experience, and Maher & Maher Law’s commitment to compassionate, client-focused representation, you do not have to face that science alone.

If you or someone you love has been arrested for DUI in Colorado Springs or anywhere in Southern Colorado, reach out as soon as you can. Early involvement allows Joe to preserve evidence, request critical lab records, and start building the strongest possible defense.

Call Maher & Maher Law today to schedule a confidential consultation and learn how a forensic lawyer-scientist can help protect your rights, your record, and your future.

Frequently asked questions about forensic lawyer-scientists

What is a forensic lawyer-scientist in a DUI case? 

A forensic lawyer-scientist is a trial attorney who has completed advanced scientific training, approved by the American Chemical Society’s Chemistry and the Law Division, and who uses validated science in the courtroom. They understand how DUI blood tests work, can spot errors in the lab’s methods, and use that knowledge to challenge the prosecution’s evidence.

How can a forensic lawyer-scientist help challenge a DUI blood test in Colorado? 

A forensic lawyer-scientist reviews the entire testing process, from the blood draw to storage and analysis. They look for problems such as improper preservatives, fermentation, contamination, or failures to follow standard operating procedures, all of which can affect blood alcohol results. When those issues are documented, they can file motions to exclude the test or use them at trial to create reasonable doubt.

Why does it matter that Joe Maher is one of only four ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientists in Colorado? 

Because so few attorneys hold this designation, working with Joe means your case benefits from training and scientific insight that most defense lawyers do not have. His status as one of a handful of ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientists in Colorado signals to prosecutors and judges that your defense is prepared to scrutinize the state’s evidence at a high level.

When should I call a DUI attorney after being arrested in Colorado Springs? 

You should contact a DUI attorney as soon as possible after your arrest. Quick action lets your lawyer advise you before you make statements, request important evidence, and protect your driving privileges under Colorado’s express consent laws. The earlier Joe and the Maher & Maher Law team are involved, the more options you may have to challenge the charges and protect your future.