In every state, it is possible to get a DUI conviction if you are caught driving with a BAC, or Blood Alcohol Concentration, of .08% or higher. If the BAC is quite a bit higher than this level, you will quickly increase the severity of the penalties that you face. A Virginia DUI lawyer can help you understand the BAC and how this will influence your case.

How Do Police Measure BAC?

Blood and breath tests are the methods that most police will use to help them determine how much a person has drank that night. Blood testing is often more accurate, but can be a bit troublesome for both the police and drivers at the time. How many people, whether they are drunk or not, want to sit on the side of the road and get their blood tested? And the police are not too fond of it either.

This is part of the reason why breath tests are used instead. You do not need to have medical personnel on hand to do it and the results can come quickly. Most people will prefer to breathe on the tube rather than have a needle poked into them too.

How the BAC Can Affect Your Case

The breathalyzer is often the main source of proof about your case when facing a DUI conviction. If your numbers were high on this test, then you are going to need to face a conviction. This does not mean that all hope is lost.

While breathalyzers are commonly used, this does not mean that they are used properly or 100% accurate. With a bit of research from your DUI lawyer, it could be shown that the breathalyzer was not properly calibrated or that the police did not have the right training on how to use the tool. If this is proven, your case could be thrown out and you will not have a conviction.

This is why it is so important to work with a Virginia DUI attorney right from the start. They understand how these DUI cases go and can work with you to come up with the proof, or lack of proof, that could help you to not face a conviction any longer. If you are looking to get some relief after one of these convictions and need to resume your daily life, without a mark on your record and with your license in hand, then a DUI lawyer is the best choice for you.