The ABC's of a DUI Arrest

 

Administrative License Revocation - also known as a driver's license suspension. A license revocation is done by a state agency such as the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles).

 

Arraignment - this is when the defendant is told of the charges against him/her and offered the chance to enter a plea.

 

BAC - "Blood Alcohol Content"; this is the amount of alcohol in a person's body which is measured in terms of percentage

 

BAL - "Blood Alcohol Level" or "Breath Alcohol Level"; Some states allow convictions based on the breath alcohol level instead converting to blood alcohol level, although blood alcohol tests are more accurate

 

Breathalyzer - A device used by officers to measure the BAC (blood alcohol content) of a suspected drunk driver.

 

Burn Off - The body's ability to metabolize, or "burn off" alcohol. How quickly alcohol leaves a person's body is different from person to person.

 

Chemical Test - A form of DUI test that determines the concentration of alcohol in a person's blood

 

Enhancements - Circumstances in a DUI case that could possibly add more penalties. Some of these circumstances could include: drunk driving with a child in the car, causing injury or death to another person, or previous DUI convictions

 

Extrapolation - A circumstantial method of determining the blood alcohol level of a defendant by looking at the their age and weight, how much the defendant drank over a certain amount of time, and when the person had his/her last drink.

 

Felony Drunk Driving - In many cases a DUI is considered a misdemeanor. However, there are times when another person is killed or the driver has had many prior convictions. In these types of cases, it may be treated as a felony DUI which could lead to a harsher sentence.

 

Ignition Interlock - An instrument installed in a car that checks the blood alcohol level of a driver. The driver breathes into the device and if the device detects alcohol above a certain amount, the car will not start or go.

 

Per Se Laws - These are laws that say that someone is guilty of drunk driving if his/her blood alcohol level is above the legal limit. The legal limit is generally .08% for most states.

 

Wet Reckless - This is a plea in a drunk driving case that results in a reduced charge, a lower fine, and no record for a drunk driving conviction. If a person has just slightly crossed the BAC legal limit, there was no accident or damage caused, or has had no prior convictions, it is possible to enter this plea.

 

Zero Tolerance - This is the allowable blood alcohol content (BAC) for minors.