When it comes to drunk driving charges, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is very important. If someone exceeds the legal BAC limit, the court is allowed to presume that they were intoxicated and impaired by alcohol. It is possible to be arrested with a BAC under the legal limit if there is other evidence of impairment, but failing a breath test generally makes charges much more likely.
As such, an important thing to remember is that not everyone has the same BAC limit. For most drivers, the legal limit is 0.08%. This is fairly well known, but drivers should not assume that this limit applies to everyone. Some groups of drivers are subject to much lower limits.
Commercial drivers
For example, commercial drivers have a legal limit of just 0.04%. They are held to a higher standard than most other drivers, and a drunk driving conviction can have severe consequences. If a commercial driver loses their CDL, they may no longer be able to work until it is reinstated.
Underage drivers
Additionally, any driver who is under 21 years old cannot legally purchase or consume alcohol. The state applies zero-tolerance laws, meaning the legal limit is 0.02%. Even consuming a very small amount of alcohol – perhaps less than one drink – can lead to a drunk driving charge.
Legal defense options
Are you facing charges for driving under the influence? If so, be sure you are aware of all legal defense options available to you. A conviction could lead to fines, jail time, a license suspension and more, so it is crucial that you know what steps to take.