Blood alcohol testing allows law enforcement to see how much ethyl alcohol is in a person’s bloodstream. The results are given in percentage by milligram. If someone has a blood alcohol test result of 0.08% or higher, he or she is considered intoxicated according to California law. If a person’s blood alcohol test result is slightly below 0.08%, he or she still might be considered under the influence of alcohol if he or she displays certain behaviors.
It is important to remember that the blood alcohol test is supposed to determine the driver’s blood alcohol concentration at the time the he or she was operating a motor vehicle, and not after the fact. There can be a significant difference between a driver’s BAC at the time of driving and the time the test is taken.
There are three types of tests that law enforcement uses to determine a person’s blood alcohol level. Blood alcohol can be measured by a person’s breath, blood, or urine. Certain factors such as gender, amount of alcohol consumed, weight, type of alcohol consumed, and food consumption can directly impact the results of a blood alcohol test.
Breath Alcohol Testing - During a breath alcohol test, the person blows into an instrument such as the Intoxilyzer. A person’s breath alcohol concentration is believed to be related to their blood alcohol concentration. By measuring a person’s breath alcohol concentration, law enforcement can figure out his or her blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The American Medical Association reports that a person can be impaired with a BAC of 0.05%. Most states, including California, have adopted 0.08% as the standard. This means there is 0.08 grams of alcohol present per 100 milliliters of blood.
Blood Alcohol Testing - Through a blood alcohol test, a person’s blood alcohol content can be directly determined. Blood testing is the most accurate way to determine a person’s blood alcohol concentration. During a blood alcohol test, blood is drawn from a person’s arm, and then it is analyzed. If the blood test reveals the person’s blood alcohol concentration to be 0.08% or greater, that person is considered intoxicated.
Urine Alcohol Testing - A urine alcohol test measures a person’s blood alcohol concentration indirectly. After a urine sample is obtained, it is analyzed, and a ratio of 1.3:1 is used in estimating the alcohol concentration in the urine. If the urine test reveals that the person’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.08% or greater, he or she is considered intoxicated.
San Francisco DUI Attorney
If you have been arrested for DUI in San Francisco, obtaining a qualified attorney is the most important decision you can make. A DUI attorney can protect your rights, inform you of your legal options, investigate the conditions of your arrest, and question law enforcement and witnesses. A skilled attorney can also provide the resources and aggressive defense you will need to successfully fight your DUI charges.
The Law Office of Robert Tayac has been helping people charged with DUI in San Francisco for over a decade. Attorney Robert Tayac has the education, training, and experience to defend your drunk driving case. Attorney Tayac can also help you schedule your hearing with the DMV and represent you at the hearing. Remember, you only have 10 days to prevent your license from being suspended. When you work with Robert Tayac, you can be assured that you are retaining the services of a knowledgeable and trustworthy DUI defense lawyer.
Contact the Law Office of Robert Tayac for your free case evaluation!
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