BAC: Blood Alcohol Content

Methods of Measuring BAC in Harris County

BAC, or Blood Alcohol Content, is generally measured as a percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream. For example, Texas state law imposes a blood alcohol level of .08 which translates to 8 grams of alcohol for every 100ml of blood in the system. There are a variety of chemical tests that measure the BAC in blood, each with their own advantages and drawbacks. If you have been charged with driving while intoxicated, make sure that your Houston DWI lawyer has extensive knowledge of the various tests that may be utilized for the best chance at a solid defense.

Perhaps the most common type of BAC test in Texas is the breathalyzer, which mainly relies on a chemical reaction with the breath of an impaired driver to determine the level of alcohol in a drivers' bloodstream. Breathalyzers can pose problems for prosecution, however, because they do not directly measure the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream, but instead in the breath. Urine tests are not used as commonly, except in cases where other drugs are suspected to be the cause of driver impairment. Blood tests are the most effective for measuring BAC, but blood samples can be compromised in a variety of ways and thus are not always the most reliable. Throughout Texas law enforcement, breath and blood tests are likely the most widely-used.

Viable Defense against BAC Test Evidence

Blood alcohol tests are one of the most powerful weapons in the arsenal of a law enforcement officer and although drivers do have the right to refuse a BAC test or a field sobriety test, there is truly no escape method that does not carry with it serious consequences. The Samuelson Law Firm understands that the fate of a person can rest on the results of a BAC test that may not even be accurate. I, along with my competent and accomplished staff, have worked hard to provide Houston drivers with strong defenses to DWI charges, and can identify and expose errors in BAC tests that may well be the only evidence holding your charges together. Our firm is dedicated to doing everything in our power to help you achieve success in defense of your DWI charges, and I will always fight to see that every viable option is explored on the road to victory.

Contact a Houston DWI lawyer if you have been charged with DWI and would like to discuss your case, including any tests you may have participating in to determine your blood alcohol level.