Philadelphia police admit to wrongfully charging more than 1,147 people with DUI's.

An error in the calibration of several of the Philadelphia Police Department's Breathalyzer machines means that more than the people charged in 1,147 drunk-driving cases could ask for new trials, police said today.

Police said the improperly calibrated machines were used from September 2009 through November 2010. The District Attorney's office is in the process of notifying those charged in cases during that time.

The mistake was discovered last month by a defense attorney, who officials said brought it to the department's attention.

The glitch was due to "human error," according to Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, who said the officer in charge of calibrating the machines has been moved to a new job within the department. An internal investigation is under way, he said, and the department is currently having all its machines examined.

Link: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/118503859.html