Archive for the ‘Blood Alcohol Concentration’ Category

BAC, Three Important Letters

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Technology has expanded to many different forms and fields today. From communication, entertainment, to even medicine technology has enable individuals to do things today that 50 years ago only individuals could dream about. However, everyone and everything has faults and errors. Even within the high-tech equipment and devices that we have today problems still occur and can easily impact people on a small and a large scale. Yet, when dealing with some of these errors the consequences can impact an individuals life greatly with good and bad, but also their innocence or guilt especially within the court of law.

Blood alcohol content, or BAC, is a very important term when dealing with a DUI charge. It tells law enforcement officers, lawyers, a judge, and a jury how much alcohol was in your system at the time you were behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. One can automatically assume that this number is greatly important, and can impact whether you are legally or illegally driving. When a BAC is tested it can either be tested through a breathalyzer examination, or blood work can be done to determine whether or not alcohol is present in the individual and how much exactly is within them.

The legal limit within Pennsylvania is a .08 BAC. Anything above that is considered to be up to .099 BAC is said to be a “High BAC”. Possible jail time, probation that could last up to 6 months, fines, license suspension and an alcohol and driving awareness class can all be consequences of being charged with a DUI within this range. However, the higher one’s BAC is, the higher the punishment is. “Highest BAC” is a range that begins at .16 BAC for individuals and continues over that set number. Individuals can easily face jail time up to 5 years, have over a year of license suspension, numerous amounts of fines, and deal with probation for years.

When drinking in general a good rule to have and to hold is to always have a designated driver, or call for a taxi to ensure the safety of not only you, but also all fellow motorists and pedestrians on the roadways.

When you have been charged with a criminal offense, you want an experienced defense lawyer protecting your rights every step of the way. I am attorney Michael V. Worgul, and from my offices in Pittsburgh, I have dedicated my entire career to criminal defense. Having handled over 1,000 cases, I know what to expect in court and I am not afraid of a challenge. To start your case call 1-855-DUI-CRIM today!

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BAC Test For The Eyes

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Technology today is rapidly changing from a small to large scale and vice versa. We have seen a computer turn from taking up rooms and rooms to be in the palm of your hand with so much more capability. Communication has also rapidly changed from telegraph, to phone, to the now high-tech cellphones that can literally be seen in almost everyone’s pocket. However, what can these small little devices really do for us not only technologically within communication, but also even our health and safety?

Recently, an application, also known as an “app”, has been created to help prevent drinking while under the influence of alcohol, or even other substances. Usually, a person might go to dinner and have a drink or two not really thinking that they might be drunk, or even really feeling the alcohol at all. However, this mistake is easily made when individuals usually get a DUI charge.

The “app” known as BreathalEyes is really one that is quite innovative. The application takes multiple pictures of the owner’s eyes and then scans them. From there the application registers what the blood alcohol content, or BAC, is within the individual. It then can register the individuals BAC up to the maximum of a .17, which is well over the legal limit of alcohol of an individual behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

BreathalEyes reviews can be seen in the application store on smart phones and seems to really be useful to individuals. One man stated how the application truly helped him chose to get a taxi versus driving home after have a couple of beers during a sporting event. With just one small action as that who knows what the “app” will do after a period of time in the market place.

With technology moving steadily, hopefully we can begin to see it helping lessen driving while under the influence of alcohol more and more in the future. Although the application seems to help with some individuals differentiating as to whether or not they should drive, an individual should always have a designated driver after consuming any alcoholic beverages for their safety, and everyone else’s.

When you have been charged with a criminal offense, you want an experienced defense lawyer protecting your rights every step of the way. I am attorney Michael V. Worgul, and from my offices in Pittsburgh, I have dedicated my entire career to criminal defense. Having handled over 1,000 cases, I know what to expect in court and I am not afraid of a challenge. To start your case call 1-855-DUI-CRIM today!

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Pittsburgh DUI Defense Attorney Explains Why Does BAC Matter?

Friday, June 17th, 2011

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a very serious offense and a DUI conviction has consequences that can follow you for years. The legal definition of driving under the influence is based on the amount of alcohol present in your system at the time of arrest. In all states, driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent is a crime. In some states, you can be arrested for driving with a lower BAC if the officer deems you to be too impaired to operate the vehicle safely.

Blood alcohol concentration isn’t always an accurate measure of how impaired a person will become. People who drink infrequently may show signs of impairment with far less alcohol in their system. Others may have an unusually higher tolerance for alcohol and will feel few effects at the legal limit. However, your ability to function is not the bottom line in a DUI charge. Your BAC at the time of your arrest, regardless of whether you seem impaired, is what defines the crime.

BAC is tested in three ways, using breath, blood and urine.

A breath test isn’t a true measure of BAC, but rather an estimate. Portable breathalyzer devices may be used in conjunction with field sobriety tests when police officers stop a driver whom they suspect is impaired. Larger, tabletop machines are thought to be more accurate than the portable models, so some states prohibit the use of portable breathalyzers. The results of breathalyzer tests can be skewed by some medical conditions, hygiene products or even breath spray.

A urine test also provides an estimate of the BAC, but is considered the least accurate of the three methods. Because urine accumulates in the bladder, test results can be higher or lower than a person’s actual BAC depending on how recently they drank and how long ago they last emptied their bladder. Urine tests are generally used only when the two other tests are not available.

A blood test is the most reliable measure of BAC, but even that process can be flawed if the blood sample wasn’t properly preserved or analyzed promptly.

If an officer stops you for suspected DUI and requests that submit to a chemical BAC test, you advised to comply. Under implied consent laws, refusing the test carries automatic and immediate penalties that will remain in effect even if the court does not convict you. The better course is to submit to the tests and then retain the services of an attorney who is experienced in DUI defense.

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