By Pierce Blitch
A Night Out: How Much is Too Much?
First, we never recommend getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking alcohol; however, if you find yourself pulled over after drinking its important to understand the following.
When planning a night out with friends, it’s essential to consider how many drinks you can legally have before getting behind the wheel. While everyone knows that drinking and driving is illegal, understanding the limits can be confusing. If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) hits 0.08 or higher, you can be arrested for a DUI. Additionally, even if your BAC is below .08, you may still be arrested for DUI if the officer determines that you are less safe to drive. This is defined in Georgia as DUI less safe. But how many drinks does it take to reach that point?
Factors That Influence Your BAC
There’s no simple answer to how many drinks you can have before you’re legally impaired. Several factors affect your BAC:
- Weight: Heavier individuals metabolize alcohol differently than lighter individuals.
- Gender: Men and women process alcohol differently.
- Food Consumption: Eating before drinking can slow alcohol absorption.
- Time: The time between your last drink and driving impacts your BAC.
- Body Mass Index (BMI): Your body composition also plays a role.
Staying Safe: Designate a Driver
The safest way to avoid a DUI is to either not drink or designate a driver. Having a reliable DUI lawyer on your side can also make a significant difference if you’re charged. At The Blitch Law Firm, we understand how frightening a DUI arrest can be. Our team of former prosecutors knows the DUI process inside and out and is prepared to defend your rights.
Your Right to Defend Yourself
We believe everyone accused of DUI should have a chance to defend themselves. We work tirelessly to provide aggressive representation, helping clients avoid DUI charges and penalties. We challenge breathalyzer results and look for discrepancies in tests to protect your freedom. Remember, if an officer suspects you’ve had too much to drink, they might try to get you to admit it. However, you are not legally obligated to answer questions about your drinking.
Know Your Rights
You don’t have to participate in field sobriety tests, but you must comply with blood or breath tests, or face an automatic one-year suspension of your license. If you are arrested or charged with DUI, you might face penalties like jail time, fines, license suspension, community service, an ignition interlock device, probation, and mandatory Risk Reduction Program completion. However, a skilled DUI lawyer can help get charges reduced or dismissed, especially if it’s your first offense.
If you’re facing DUI charges, contact The Blitch Law Firm today. Our Augusta DUI lawyers can help you understand your options and fight for your rights.
CALL THE Blitch Law Firm ATTORNEYS AT LAW TODAY TO DISCUSS YOUR CASE
We fight for you, and we don’t back down. Every criminal charge holds potentially life-altering consequences. We don’t hold back on providing our clients the best possible criminal defense available. Nearly all the attorneys at The Blitch Law Firm are former Assistant District Attorneys, so our unique insight on how the prosecution approaches cases equips us with the ability to see the case from all sides. If you, a family member, or a close friend faces criminal charges, contact The Blitch Law Firm today at 706-434-8770 or visit us at 7004 Evans Town Center Blvd., Third Floor, Evans, Georgia 30809 to discuss your unique case and our creative defense strategies with one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys.
DISCLAIMER: The content on this site is offered solely for informational purposes and might not represent the current law in your jurisdiction. None of the details provided here should be interpreted as legal advice from The Blitch Law Firm or from the individual writer. Additionally, it is not meant to replace professional legal advice. Readers should not base their actions or decisions to abstain from actions solely on the information found in or available through this site. Instead, they should seek tailored legal or other expert counsel regarding their specific situation from an attorney or other professional authorized to practice in the reader’s state, nation, or other relevant licensing area.