Virginia Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
The term BAC, which stands for Blood Alcohol Content, is an important part of DUI arrests in Virginia, but most people are not familiar with what it is, how it is determined or what role it plays.The simplest definition of BAC is that it is the percentage of alcohol that is found in blood.
Your body begins to absorb alcohol in your stomach and small intestine very quickly after having a drink, and many factors can have an impact on the rate of absorption, such as the concentration of alcohol in the drink you had, the amount of food in your stomach and whether or not the drink was carbonated.
Once the alcohol has been absorbed, it enters the bloodstream and is carried throughout the body. Your BAC can rise dramatically within just 20 minutes of drinking alcohol.
The reason BAC is so important is that every state has laws that prohibit operating a motor vehicle after the alcohol in your blood has reached a certain level.
In most states, including Virginia, the current maximum BAC level is .08 percent.
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FAQs
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
- When I was pulled over for suspicion of DUI / DWI, I wasn't read my rights. Does this mean that my case will be dismissed?
- If I am convicted of a DUI / DWI in Virginia, what sort of jail time could I be facing?
- I took the Preliminary Breath Test and blew less than a .08. Since that is below the legal limit, why was I still arrested for a Virginia DUI / DWI?
- Will I lose my license if I am convicted of drunk driving in Virginia?
- If my breath or blood test result came in above 0.08, am I definitely going to be found guilty?