False Positives in Drug Testing and How They Happen in Ohio

Drug test results influence nearly every stage of an Ohio criminal case, from the initial arrest to plea negotiations and trial strategy. Yet many defendants are surprised to learn that false positives in drug testing occur far more often than people realize. These inaccurate results can trigger felony charges under O.R.C. § 2925, create significant pressure during arraignment, and affect how prosecutors approach a case. Our Cleveland criminal defense lawyers at Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A. represent clients throughout Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio who have been harmed by unreliable drug test results. If you are looking for a drug crimes lawyer near me, understanding how these false positives occur is an essential first step in defending yourself.

Why False Positives Occur in Ohio Drug Tests

Drug tests are often treated as scientific certainty, yet the process behind these results is vulnerable to human error, contamination, storage breakdowns, and equipment problems. These issues can occur at the crime scene, during transportation, or inside a forensic laboratory.

Prescription and Medication Interference

Medications are one of the most common causes of false positives. Many lawful prescriptions and over the counter drugs contain compounds that can trigger reactivity in initial screening tests. Immunoassay tests, which officers frequently use during traffic stops or probation checks, are especially prone to these errors.

Medications that may contribute to false positives include:

• Antidepressants and anti anxiety medications
• ADHD medications
• Common cold or allergy remedies
• Certain antibiotics
• Sleep aids and pain relievers

These tests often produce reactive results long before more accurate confirmatory testing is performed. Yet defendants may still face charges in Cleveland Municipal Court or Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court based on these unreliable screenings.

Sample Contamination During Collection or Processing

Contamination can occur at the time a sample is collected or during later processing. Even slight contact with residue or improper handling can alter the chemical profile of the sample.

Common contamination sources include:

• Shared testing surfaces
• Unclean collection equipment
• Mixing or splashing between samples
• Cross contamination inside busy laboratories
• Mishandling by officers or technicians

Once contamination occurs, the reliability of the test is compromised. However, these flawed results may still be used to support drug possession or drug trafficking charges under O.R.C. § 2925 unless challenged.

Improper Storage and Sample Degradation

Biological samples must be stored at specific temperatures. When storage protocols are not followed, samples can ferment, degrade, or change chemically. Even slight temperature shifts can alter the test outcome.

Improper storage can occur:

• In police vehicles
• At precinct holding facilities
• During transport to labs
• Inside forensic laboratories

When a sample degrades, it may produce readings that mimic the presence of controlled substances, causing avoidable false positives.

Faulty, Expired, or Poorly Maintained Testing Equipment

Ohio law enforcement agencies often rely on inexpensive field test kits. These kits are known for producing false positives when exposed to everyday items such as soap, certain foods, vitamins, or plant materials.

Problems with field test kits include:

• Expired reagents
• Failure to calibrate equipment
• Exposure to extreme temperatures
• Improper storage or handling
• Manufacturing inconsistencies

These unreliable tests should never serve as the basis for felony accusations, yet they frequently appear in cases statewide.

How False Positives Influence Drug Possession and Trafficking Charges

False positives do more than create confusion. They directly shape how an Ohio criminal case begins and evolves. Prosecutors may file charges before confirmatory testing is complete, leading defendants into early arraignments while evidence remains unverified.

A false positive can influence:

• Bail decisions
• Plea negotiations
• Indictments
• Suppression hearings
• Trial strategy

For drug trafficking allegations, false positives can increase the severity of charges, especially when the state mistakenly believes a sample contains a Schedule I or Schedule II substance. These cases often begin with errors that could have been prevented through proper testing, storage, and oversight.

Defense Strategies for Challenging False Positives in Ohio

The legal team at Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A. builds personalized defense strategies for clients facing charges that stem from inaccurate drug test results. A strong defense involves identifying how the false positive occurred and exposing weaknesses in the state's evidence.

Effective strategies include:

1. Demanding complete laboratory documentation such as chain of custody records, technician notes, calibration logs, and storage conditions.
2. Requesting independent confirmatory testing through an accredited laboratory to verify or refute the state's findings.
3. Challenging the admissibility of field test results that lack scientific reliability.
4. Investigating medication use to identify prescription interactions that may cause false positives.
5. Scrutinizing collection protocols to uncover contamination risks.
6. Filing motions to suppress when evidence handling or testing procedures violate accepted standards.

These strategies are used throughout the criminal process, including discovery, pretrial hearings, plea bargaining, and trial.

A Strong Defense Against False Positives for Clients Across Greater Cleveland

False positives in drug testing can change the course of a criminal case in an instant. When these errors appear in drug possession or trafficking cases, defendants risk facing charges based on evidence that does not reflect reality. Our Cleveland criminal defense lawyers at Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A. represent clients throughout Northeast Ohio who have been impacted by these mistakes. The consequences of a false positive can be severe, and our legal team works to uncover the root cause of the error, challenge unreliable evidence, and protect the long term future of each client.

If you’ve been arrested in Cleveland, Lakewood, or anywhere in Northeast Ohio, don’t wait. Call Patrick M. Farrell Co. L.P.A. at (216) 661-5050 or request a free consultation now. Your defense against inaccurate drug testing begins with a team that knows how these mistakes happen and how to fight them effectively.

Text or Call: (216) 661-5050 • Contact: Submit a Request • Email: cindy@patfarrelllaw.com

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