Jefferson County DUI Attorney

Blood Alcohol Science

When facing charges as serious as DUI, it is vital that you rely on an attorney who is familiar with blood alcohol science and all the factors and variables involved in a DUI case.  DUI Defense lawyer Chris Cessna has represented many clients charged with DUI in Jefferson County and he has the knowledge and training it will take to fight your drunk driving charges.  

Blood alcohol content (BAC) is the concentration of alcohol present in a person’s blood.  Used to measure the level of intoxication, blood alcohol content is measured in terms of mass per volume.  Variations in a person’s weight, gender, and body fat percentage can all affect how quickly a person’s body metabolizes alcohol which is why intoxication cannot be measured simply by counting the number of alcoholic beverages a person has consumed.

Alcohol is quickly absorbed into the blood and can be measured within minutes of having an alcoholic drink. The amount of alcohol in the blood reaches its highest level about an hour after drinking. But food in the stomach may increase the amount of time it takes for the blood alcohol to reach its highest level. About 90% of alcohol is broken down in the liver, and the rest of it is passed out of the body in urine and through exhaled breaths.

Alcohol has a significant effect on the body, even when only small amounts are consumed. In large amounts, alcohol acts as a sedative and depresses the central nervous system, greatly affecting a person’s ability to drive.  Individuals who drive under the influence of alcohol experience a slowed reaction time because of the alcohol’s affect on the nervous system, and this can lead to accidents, injuries, and even death. 

Blood alcohol tests are used to find out whether or not drivers are legally intoxicated (their BAC is .08 percent of higher).  Blood and breath tests are administered to measure the amount of alcohol in the blood when a person is suspected of drunk driving.  Symptoms of intoxication may include confusion, lack of coordination, unsteadiness that makes it hard to stand or walk, or erratic or unsafe driving. 

To learn more about blood alcohol science and how it may impact your drunk driving case, contact Jefferson County DUI Lawyer Christopher H. Cessna today!