William J. Maze

37211 Goddard Rd. • Romulus, Michigan 48174 • (734) 941-8800

Introduction

William Maze has been qualified by numerous Michigan courts as an expert witness in the standardized field sobriety test battery (SFSTs) and Michigan Datamaster breath testing procedures. He has performed the SFSTs on hundreds of individuals and is thoroughly versed in the NHTSA SFST battery and literature. He has participated in teaching the NHTSA/IACP Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Practitioner Certification Course on several occasions and has frequently lectured on the subject of the field sobriety tests. He has studied the statistical reliability of these tests, along with non-standardized field sobriety tests. He has advanced training regarding the horizontal gaze nystagmus test and other forms of nystagmus and saccadic oscillations of the human eye. He has studied the peer reviewed research regarding field sobriety testing as well as the NHTSA published research in this field. He is also knowledgeable in the peer reviewed literature regarding alcohol and highway safety as well as the effects of alcohol on the human body.

William has also participated in advanced training in the BAC Datamaster. He has attended factory training at National Patent Analytical Systems and is knowledgeable about the underlying science and internal workings of the instrument. He owns two BAC Datamaster instruments and has performed hundreds of experiments on the devices, along with PBT instruments including the Alcosensor III and Lifeloc FC10. He has studied the peer reviewed research regarding breath testing as well as the state and manufacturer's published literature in this field.

Employment

Adjunct Professor of Forensic Science, 2021-2024

Madonna University

Ethics & Expert Testimony, FOR 4650
Criminal Law and the Rules of Evidence, FOR/CJ 5230

Attorney, 1997-Current

Maze Legal PLC

Criminal defense attorney with a focus in drunk driving defense, civil asset forfeiture, and Freedom of Information Act litigation.

Notable Cases

In addition to over a hundred jury trials.

Amberg v City of Dearborn, 497 Mich 28, 29; 859 NW2d 674 (2014)

Third parties' video surveillance recordings received by law enforcement authorities in misdemeanor proceedings were "public records" under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

People v Luke, Court of Appeals Case No. 348530 (2020)

Originally charged as 2nd degree murder, dismissal of involuntary manslaughter under MCL 750.321 affirmed based upon cross-examination of forensic pathologist.

Aaron Cox v Township of Grosse Ile, Court of Appeals Case No. 341518 (2018)

FOIA denial reversed with order to produce records with an award of reasonable attorney fees.

In re Forfeiture of 2007 Ford Focus, Court of Appeals Case No. 321640 (2015)

Pizza delivery driver given marijuana as tip. Forfeiture of vehicle reversed. Featured on WRIF and various news media.

People v Wyrybkowski, Court of Appeals Case No. 283673 (2007)

Defense expert witness must be permitted to testify under Daubert in a challenge to horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test.

Education

The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, BA, 1992
Wayne State University Law School, JD, 1996

Training

Michigan State Police Forensic Science & Toxicology Conference (2025)
IACDL's Midwest DUI Seminar: Winning Blows, Stops, and Trials (2011)
Serum Ethanol False Positives Due to NADH (2011)
Mastering Scientific Evidence in DWI/DUI Cases (2010)
NPAS BAC Datamaster & Basic Science of Evidential Breath Alcohol Testing (2008)
Scientific Issues in Judging Intoxication (2008)
National College for DUI Defense (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2025, 2026)
Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN): Vision Science Perspectives (2008)
National Symposium for Alcohol, Drugs, and Traffic Safety (2006)
NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (2005)

Professional Memberships & Organizations

Member, State Bar of Michigan
Board of Directors, Michigan Association OWI Attorneys [2023 - Present]
Wayne State University Law School Criminal Justice Advisory Committee [2015]
President, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM) [2014-2015]
Board of Directors, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM) [2011-2014; Ex officio 2015-2030]
Member, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM)
Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
Member, DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA) [2021 - Present]
Member, National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) [2004 - Present]
Member, Wayne County Criminal Defense Bar Association
Member, Downriver Bar Association

Publications

Witness Preparation and Examination for DUI Proceedings, 2012 ed (West)

Lectures, Courses, & Presentations

Cross Examination on Flawed Field Sobriety Tests, MIAOWIA (2024).
Intoxilyzer 9000: Invalid Samples & Bad Breath Graphs, MIAOWIA (2024).
The ABC's of Drugged Driving, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (2020).
Drugged Driving Defense, State Bar of Michigan Criminal Law Section (2019).
Drug Recognition Expert Seminar, Macomb County Bar Association and Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (2019).
Drugged Driving: Introduction to SFSTs, ARIDE, and DREs for Criminal Defense Attorneys Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (2018).
The Phlebotomist, the Forensic Scientist, and the Forensic Toxicologist - Cross Examination Techniques and Ideas, CDAM Fall Conference (2018).
Practical Introduction to Forensic Science, Wayne State University, CRJ 4220 Criminalistics (2017).
Trainer, NHTSA/IACP Live Alcohol Workshop (2017).
NHTSA/IACP Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) Training Event (2017).
Jury Voir Dire & Cross-Examination, Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (OACDL), Advanced OVI Seminar (2017).
Testimony before Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee regarding Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (2015).
Legal Theft: The Crime of Civil Asset Forfeiture, Medical Cannabis Cup (2015).
Introduction to Field Sobriety Testing, Macomb County Bar Association (2015).
Police Interrogations and False Confessions, Wayne State University Graduate Program on Forensic Science (2015).
Wayne County Criminal Advocacy Program (CAP) - Drunk & Drugged Driving, Detroit, Michigan, Dec. 13, 2013.
CDAM Fall Session 2013 - Drug Recognition Experts: Challenging the Voodoo Science and Tackling the Expert at Trial, Traverse City, Michigan, Nov. 8, 2013.
MIAOWIA - Using the Freedom of Information Act to Obtain Materials Relevant to DUI Cases, MGM Grand Hotel/Casino, Detroit, Michigan Sept. 21, 2013.
BAC / DMT Datamaster Introductory Course, conducted at Northwood University Dec. 14, 2012.
Trainer, NHTSA/IACP Live Alcohol Workshop (2012).
NHTSA/IACP Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Practitioner Certification Course, Oct. 17-19, 2012.
CDAM Summer Session 2012 - Introduction to Field Sobriety Testing and Statistical Flaws in the SFST Battery.
Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (OACDL) - Breath Test Challenges, Columbus, Ohio, March 2012.
Institute for Continuing Legal Education - DUI Defense Seminar, 2010, Grand Rapids and Plymouth, Michigan.
Trainer, NHTSA/IACP Live Alcohol Workshop (2009).
NHTSA/IACP Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Practitioner Certification Course, December 2009.
Wayne County Criminal Advocacy Program (CAP) - DUI Defense Seminar 2009, Detroit, Michigan.
Trainer, NHTSA/IACP Live Alcohol Workshop (2007).
NHTSA/IACP Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Practitioner Certification Course, June 2007.

Expert Witness Services

Expert witness report in State of Michigan vs. [Redacted], 1st District Court - Monroe County - December 2025.
Expert witness report and testimony in State of Michigan vs. [Redacted], 64B District Court - Montcalm County - October 2025.
Expert witness report in State of Michigan vs. [Redacted], 37th District Court Warren Michigan - June 2025.
Expert witness report in City of Southgate vs. [Redacted], 28th District Court Southgate Michigan - May 2025.
Expert witness report in State of Michigan vs. [Redacted], 43rd District Court Fernale Michigan - February 2025.
Consulted and approved as appointed expert by Caro district court as expert witness for trial on court appointed case for attorney Kristen J. Fisher of Shoults Picard & Brooks PLLC, regarding NHTSA SFST battery, administration and scoring - November 2014.
Consulted and appeared in court as expert witness in NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Test Battery - February 11, 2014 - Attorney Scott Aaronson - 45th District Court in Oakland County.
Retained as expert witness by attorney David Rudoi regarding preliminary breath testing rules, operation of PBT, and non-standard field sobriety tests - February 3, 2014 - Honorable Debra Nance, 46th District Court in Southfield, Michigan (not qualified because had never manufactured a preliminary breath testing instrument and not qualified on SFSTs because not a police officer.) Cf. Judge Nance's televised ruling from March 15, 2013.
Consulted and appeared in court as expert witness in NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Test Battery - December 17, 2013 - Attorney Andrew Abood - 56A District Court in Eaton County.
Qualified and Testified as Expert Witness in NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Test Battery and Non-Standard Testing & Analysis of Officer's Testimony Regarding Investigation; Provided Evidentiary Hearing Testimony - March 15, 2013 - Attorney Andrew Abood - Honorable Debra Nance, 46th District Court for Oakland County in Southfield, Michigan. Testimony recorded by major news stations in Metro Detroit area.
Qualified as Expert Witness in BAC Datamaster; Provided Trial Testimony on Michigan Breath Testing Protocols, Accuracy and Reliability of Duplicative Breath Testing Results, and Operation of BAC Datamaster - Jan. 29, 2013 and March 8, 2013 - Attorney Bruce R. Saperstein - Honorable Shelia R. Johnson, 46th District Court for Wayne County in Southfield, Michigan.
Testified Regarding SFST Battery; Provided Evidentiary Hearing Testimony Regarding NHTSA Development of SFST Battery, Phases of DWI Detection, Signs of Consumption vs Intoxication, Technical Requirements of HGN Test, Proper Performance and Scoring of One Leg Stand, and Scientific Validity of "Modified Romberg" Test - Nov. 14, 2012 - Attorney Erin Marie Carrier Barnhart - Honorable Susan H. Grant, 77th District Court for Mecosta County in Big Rapids, Michigan.
Consulted as Expert Witness in SFST Battery; Assisted Attorney Rosenberg in Jury Trial - October 2, 2012 - Attorney David B. Rosenberg - Honorable Susan M. Moiseev, 46th District Court for Oakland County in Southfield, Michigan.
Qualified as Expert Witness in SFST Battery; Provided Jury Trial Testimony - Dec. 22, 2011 - Attorney Anthony Smykla - Judge Gerou, 35th District Court for Wayne County in Plymouth, Michigan.
Qualified as Expert Witness in HGN and BAC Datamaster June 23, 2011 - Attorney Bernhardt D. Christenson - Genesee County District Court, Flint, Michigan.
Consultation, Review, & Expert Reports on SFSTs and Roadside Investigation, Attorney Loren M. Dickstein (Cir. 2009).
Consultation, Review, & Expert Report Attorney Joseph Corriveau - Not Permitted to Testify by Judge Sylvia James, Inkster District Court because proposed expert testimony was from "a criminal defense attorney" (2008).

William J. Maze - CV / Curriculum Vitae