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Blood Alcohol Concentration and DUI in Arizona

Posted by Raymond Kimble | Apr 19, 2019 | 0 Comments

What Is Blood Alcohol Concentration?

A person's blood alcohol concentration is measured as the amount of alcohol on an individual's bloodstream.  Blood alcohol concentrations are  commonly the strongest evidence used to prove whether someone was driving while impaired by alcohol. Generally, it is measured as a percentage of ethanol in blood. In Arizona,  the legal limit is .08% for a standard DUI, .15% for an Extreme DUI and .20% for a Super Extreme DUI.  If a driver is stopped and suspected of being impaired while operating a commercial vehicle, they can be prosecuted for DUI with an alcohol concentration or BAC as low as .04%.  Obviously, as the amount of alcohol in someone's bloodstream increases, the result or percentage reported by a blood or breathalyzer test will increase as well.

Does Blood Alcohol Concentration Mean a Person is Drunk

A common misconception among people who are arrested and charged with DUI in Arizona is a belief that they were not "drunk" when stopped by police.  The law in Arizona states that you can be charged with DUI if the alcohol you consumed prior to driving "impaired your ability to operate a motor vehicle to the slightest degree."  Some people have a greater tolerance than others when it comes to alcohol consumption and their blood alcohol concentration.  Consequently, other factors aside from BAC such as a person's driving behavior, physical appearance, performance on field sobriety tests, statements to police, etc.  are often used as evidence in a prosecution for DUI.  Regardless, it is illegal for anyone to operate a motor vehicle within the State of Arizona with an alcohol concentration at or above .08% within two hours of driving.  Moreover, most experts will testify that people are impaired to drive a car with a BAC as low as .04%.  

Factors that may affect a person's Blood Alcohol Concentration

Although people have different rates at which their body may absorb and process alcohol, there are a number of factors which can affect a person's alcohol concentration. These include:

  1. The type of drink which is consumed
  2. Whether or not binge drinking occurred or drinking occurred over a long period of time
  3. A person's weight
  4. A person's Age - As people become older, the effects of alcohol consumption will relatively increase
  5. A person's Gender - Women are prone to reach a higher blood alcohol concentration than men after consuming a similar amount of alcohol.  
  6. Food - If a person eats while drinking or just before consuming alcohol, the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream will decrease.

CALL (480) 833-8613 TO GET HELP NOW

 
 
If you, a family member or friend has been arrested for a DUI offense in Arizona, it is important that you immediately begin working with a qualified DUI attorney who can effectively represent you in the court of law and take necessary steps to protect your driver's license. Attorney Raymond Kimble is a former police officer, DUI and felony prosecutor and has represented thousands of people charged with DUI in Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix and other cities throughout Maricopa and Pinal Counties over the last twenty years. Ray Kimble  will have a clear understanding of all the circumstances in your case, along with the knowledge, skill and experience to protect your drivers license and achieve the best possible outcome for you.
 
 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

Raymond Kimble

About Raymond Kimble Attorney Raymond Kimble has built his law practice on the philosophy that each client deserves consistent individual attention. Ray realizes that being charged with a DUI or criminal offense is one of the most stressful events in a person's life. A DUI, felony or misdemeanor arrest can involve prison or jail time, probation, huge fines and a criminal record. Consequently, people who face DUI, felony or misdemeanor charges in Arizona are placed at risk of losing employment or being barred from future job opportunities. Ray works to lessen his client's anxiety by ensuring that they have direct access to him at all times and can reach him by e-mail, cell phone or text during normal business hours as well as nights or weekends if they have a pressing question or concern. Raymond Kimble is a dedicated DUI and criminal defense lawyer who has built a reputation of working tirelessly to protect his client's constitutional rights, their future and liberty. Ray strives to provide the strongest defense possible for each client despite the obstacles they may face. Put Experience to Work for You Raymond Kimble's twenty years of experience with respect to DUI, misdemeanor and felony criminal charges extends well beyond law school where he graduated within the top ten percent of his class. Ray was a police officer for ten years prior to becoming an attorney. As a police officer, Ray was trained in both DUI and criminal investigation and his personal involvement in criminal cases while a police officer certainly gives him a unique perspective when reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses and challenging physical evidence. Ray often identifies legal issues or mistakes made by police during an investigation through his own personal experience as a patrol officer. In addition to his police experience, Raymond Kimble worked as a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office where he was responsible for prosecuting DUI, felony and misdemeanor crimes. During his tenure as a prosecutor, Ray conducted a number of jury trials and hearings related to the admissibility of evidence. Through his involvement with these cases as a prosecutor, Ray learned how to properly evaluate the strength and weaknesses of a DUI, misdemeanor or felony charge and became skilled in jury selection, argument, and the direct and cross examination of both civilian witnesses, experts and police officers. Of course, Raymond Kimble's expertise extends beyond his experience as a police officer and prosecutor. Specifically, Ray has successfully represented thousands of people during the last fifteen years throughout Maricopa County, Arizona. To best serve his Clients, Raymond remains current on changes in the law as well as police tactics by regularly attending seminars focused on defending criminal charges and reading the latest articles and books related to DUI and criminal defense. Ray also regularly writes criminal defense blogs and posts so that people faced with a criminal charge are better informed about their rights.

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