Blood & Breath Tests

Alameda County DUI Lawyer

If a police officer suspects you are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, he/she has the right to test your blood alcohol concentration level. In the state of California, it is unlawful for any person to drive or operate a vehicle if his/her blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches or exceeds .08%.

For drivers under the age of 21, it is illegal to drive with a BAC above .01%. Blood alcohol testing provides a way for law enforcement officials to test the amount of alcohol in a driver’s bloodstream. After conducting a blood alcohol test, if the results show that a driver’s BAC is above the legal limit, then he/she will be arrested on DUI charges. There are three main ways to test a driver’s BAC level: breath tests, blood tests, or urine tests.

The breath test, or breathalyzer test, is by far the most commonly used modality for testing BAC levels. When a breath test is conducted, the driver blows into a machine called the Intoxilzer, which then gives a reading stating the percentage of ethyl alcohol currently in the driver’s bloodstream. Anything higher than .08% is cause for arrest.

Blood testing is another frequently used test. Of all the testing modalities, blood testing is the most accurate in determining BAC levels. In order to perform a blood test, blood is drawn from the driver’s arm and analyzed in a lab. If the test results indicate BAC is higher than .08%, then the driver will be booked on DUI charges.

A third testing option that isn’t as commonly used is urine testing; however, urine testing is a popular option when an officer suspects a person of driving under the influence of drugs.

Do I Have to Submit to Blood Alcohol Testing?

In the state of California, it’s a common misconception that all drivers are required to submit to a breath test, blood test, or urine test at the request of an officer. It’s important to state that YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED to submit to these types of tests, and that you do have the right to refuse submission. However, that being said, if you do refuse to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test at the request of an officer, your driver’s license will automatically be suspended, and some courts may view your refusal as the act of a guilty person.

Contact Alameda County DUI Attorney Robert Tayac

If you have been arrested or charged with a DUI in Alameda County, it’s important to hire a DUI lawyer who cannot only effectively defend you in court, but who also has the experience and skill to challenge the accuracy and validity of your BAC testing results.

Unbeknownst to many people, breathalyzer machines can give inaccurate readings. It’s important to work with an Alameda County DUI attorney like Robert Tayac who is not afraid to stand up to prosecutors, and negate the results of your tests in court. Attorney Robert Tayac has over a decade of experience defending clients throughout Alameda County, and knows what it takes to win these types of cases in court.

Alameda County DUI lawyer Robert Mr. Tayac is committed to fighting on behalf of his clients’ rights at all costs, and ensuring they obtain a winning verdict.