Some people are confused by the various legal blood alcohol levels in Arizona, how they’re determined, and what they mean. Understanding the basics of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) could go a long way in helping you avoid a serious charge in a zero-tolerance state, like Arizona. With that in mind, Lerner and Rowe Law Group’s DUI lawyers have put together a primer on the legal blood alcohol levels in Arizona in order to keep residents and visitors informed.
What Is Blood Alcohol Concentration?
BAC is the standard blood alcohol measurement used in the United States for legal and medical purposes. As an example, a BAC of 1.0% means that a person’s body contains 1 gram of alcohol for every 100 milliliters of blood.
There are many factors that influence a person’s BAC. They include:
- Number of alcoholic beverages consumed
- Amount of time the drinks were consumed in
- A person’s body weight
- A person’s biological sex
- Any medications or other drugs taken before or during drinking
- The amount of food in a person’s stomach
While the circumstances that lead to a person’s BAC can be incredibly varied, the measurement itself is objective and scientific. This is what makes it useful and accepted from medical and legal standpoints.
How Are Blood Alcohol Levels in Arizona Tested?
There are two primary ways that BAC is tested by Arizona law enforcement officials. The first is by breathalyzer. Many police officers in Phoenix, Tucson, and other Arizona cities use portable breathalyzers to test for driving under the influence (DUI). The benefits of this type of testing are speed and convenience. The negative is that portable breathalyzer tests can be inaccurate and are not admissible in court.
Law enforcement officials can also obtain a blood sample to test BAC. Blood tests are more precise than breathalyzer tests. However, they do take more time and require lab analysis. Additionally, samples can be contaminated between the time of collection and when the sample is processed at the lab. This can lead to inaccurate results.
If you’ve been accused of a DUI in Arizona and suspect that your BAC results are inaccurate, contact Lerner and Rowe Law Group’s DUI attorneys in Phoenix and Tucson for assistance.
What Are the Different Legal Blood Alcohol Levels in Arizona?
Arizona uses the well known 0.08% standard as a threshold to charge DUI case. However, the state has additional DUI crimes, classified as “Extreme DUI” and “Super Extreme DUI.” These are more severe cases for drivers that are highly intoxicated. Lastly, there are also underage DUIs in Phoenix, Tucson, and surrounding cities. The state of Arizona strictly prohibits anyone under the age of 21 to drive while intoxicated, no matter the person’s BAC.
The following are the official legal blood alcohol levels in Arizona:
- DUI: 0.08% to 0.149%
- Extreme DUI: 0.15% to 0.199%
- Super Extreme DUI: 0.20% or higher
- Underage DUI: 0.01% or higher
Contact a Phoenix or Tucson DUI Attorney
Lerner and Rowe Law Group hopes that you do everything in your power to avoid a DUI in Phoenix, Tucson, and neighboring cities. Should you be accused of a DUI, our Arizona DUI lawyer team is ready to assist you. Our attorneys have extensive experience successfully representing clients with DUI charges. You can contact us 24/7 by phone at 602-667-7777 or through the Internet via LiveChat or online form.