Drunk Driving/D.U.I. Defense: Blood Alcohol Content

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is a legal term which refers to the measurement of the amount of alcohol in a person's blood. Medications or drugs will not change your BAC, but drinking while on medications or drugs can increase the affects that alcohol has on your ability to perform driving-related tasks. The higher the percentage of alcohol in your blood as measured by your blood alcohol content, the more intoxicated you are considered to be. The legal limit in Pennsylvania is 0.08% blood alcohol content. The legal limit was dropped down to 0.08 percent by the passing of Act 24 in 2003, which made it easier for law enforcement officials to charge drivers with a DUI. Penalties for DUI increase as your BAC increases. (Penalties also depend on the number of your previous DUI convictions.) Pennsylvania operates a three-tiered ladder for defining the severity of a DUI based on the driver's BAC. The tiers are as follows:


I.    Tier 1: General Impairment:
BAC between 0.08% and 0.099%

II.    Tier 2: High Blood Alcohol Content:
BAC between 0.10% and 0.159%

III.    Tier 3: Highest Blood Alcohol Content:
BAC 0.16 (double the legal limit) and up. 


It is important to note that alcohol is a liquid quickly absorbed by the body. As a result, it can generally be measured within 30 to 70 minutes after a person has had a drink. Whether it is a beer, wine, or some sort of liquor, any form of alcoholic drink directly impacts your BAC. There are numerous factors which impact how a drink impacts an individual's BAC. Some of these factors include: (1) a person's weight, (2) a person's gender, (3) how fast you drink, (4) the number of drinks, (5) and the food in your stomach. 

Remember, if you are charged with a Drunk Driving/DUI, please contact us online or call us at (215) 947-6240 for a free initial consultation.