LAS VEGAS, N.M.—Marc A. Grano, founder and principal attorney of Grano Law Offices, P.C., completed the “Breath Testing From Input to Verdict” seminar, an intensive, sold-out program hosted by the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) in Phoenix, Arizona, between November 12-15, 2025. This advanced course is widely regarded as one of the nation’s premier educational events for DWI/DUI defense, focusing on forensic science and the operation of breath-testing devices.
Mr. Grano’s participation in this exclusive seminar underscores his firm’s commitment to providing a high caliber of criminal defense in New Mexico. By understanding the science behind breath alcohol testing, Mr. Grano enhances his ability to challenge forensic evidence in court, ensuring that the rights of New Mexico citizens are protected against faulty machinery, improper police procedure, and scientific inaccuracies.
Bridging the Gap Between Science and the Law
DWI cases often hinge on the results of a breathalyzer test. To the untrained eye—usually jurors—these machines are seen as infallible black boxes that produce a reliable, scientific number. However, the NCDD seminar “Breath Testing From Input to Verdict” acknowledges that these devices are subject to mechanical error, physiological variables, and operator error.
During the four-day seminar, Mr. Grano received hands-on training with the specific devices often used in law enforcement, including the Intoxilyzer® 8000. The curriculum was designed to take attorneys out of the law books and into the laboratory.
“To effectively defend a client, it is better when a lawyer understands the science,” said Marc Grano. “This seminar provided a rare opportunity to tear these machines down, understand their calibration, and see how easily a result can be compromised if the strict scientific protocols aren’t followed.”
Hands-On Forensic Training
Unlike standard Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses that focus on case law, this seminar required attendees to engage directly with the technology in a laboratory format.
Mr. Grano participated in workshops that covered:
- The Physiology of Breath Testing: Understanding how the human body processes alcohol and how variables like body temperature, breathing patterns, and medical conditions can skew test results.
- Machine Calibration and Maintenance: Learning how to set up wet bath simulators and use certified alcohol reference solutions to verify if a machine is accurate. Mr. Grano worked with the Guth Laboratories, Inc. Model 2100 simulator, used to test the machines.
- Live Subject Testing: The course provided opportunities to administer tests to drinking subjects, allowing attorneys to observe how alcohol absorption and elimination rates fluctuate in real-time, often contradicting the static assumptions made by experts.
This level of granular detail allows Grano Law Offices, P.C., to identify specific points of failure in a DWI investigation—from the moment a suspect blows into the tube to the moment the maintenance logs are presented in court.
Delivering Value to the Community
For the public at large, Mr. Grano’s advanced certification represents a critical safeguard against wrongful convictions. Breath testing devices are sophisticated, but they are not perfect. They require precise calibration, specific environmental conditions, and flawless operation to yield accurate results.
By investing in this high-level training, Grano Law Offices, P.C. brings a new tier of scrutiny to DWI cases in Northern and Central New Mexico.
“We see cases where a client’s future hangs by a decimal point,” Grano added. “If that number is the result of a machine that wasn’t calibrated correctly, or a simulator solution that had expired, that is not justice; it’s a failure. My goal is to ensure that no resident of New Mexico faces a conviction based on bad science.”
From the Lab to the Verdict
The seminar also focused on translating complex scientific concepts into plain-language arguments that juries can understand. The “Input to Verdict” curriculum covered voir dire (jury selection), opening statements, and cross-examination techniques.
Mr. Grano’s completion of this course places him among a distinct group of attorneys dedicated to the specialized practice of DUI defense. The NCDD is the only organization accredited by the American Bar Association to certify attorneys in the practice area of DUI law.
About Grano Law Offices, P.C.
Based in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Grano Law Offices, P.C. is a top-rated criminal defense firm serving clients throughout Northern and Central New Mexico. Founded by Marc Grano, the firm focuses on the relentless pursuit of justice and offers aggressive, experienced representation in cases ranging from DWI and drug offenses to personal injury. Grano Law Offices, P.C., strives to secure the best possible outcome for every client.
For more information, please call (505) 426-8711.
###
Media Contact: Marc A. Grano, Founder/Attorney, [email protected], (505) 426-8711
