Blood and Breath Test Attorney in San Diego

San Diego DUI Lawyer

If you are arrested for DUI in San Diego, you will be taken to the police station where they will request that you submit to a breath test or blood test to determine your blood alcohol concentration, commonly referred to as BAC. Blood alcohol concentration is defined as the amount of ethyl alcohol in your bloodstream. In California, it is illegal to operate a vehicle if your BAC reaches or exceeds .08%. When BAC levels reach .08% or higher, it is considered that your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle becomes significantly impaired.

Testing Blood Alcohol Levels

When an officer tests your BAC, he or she will be checking to see if your BAC levels exceed .08%. In order to do this the officer will either administer a breath test or a blood test.  Breath testing is by far the most common modality for determining BAC. To conduct a breath test, the officer will instruct you to blow into a hand-held device that produces a reading of your BAC level. If breathalyzer reads that your BAC is .08% or higher, you will be charged with DUI.  To conduct a blood test, a technician will draw your blood for analysis.  After analyzing the blood sample, if the technician determines that your BAC exceeds the legal limit then you will be booked on DUI charges. 

Blood or Breath Test Refusals

Many people wonder whether or not they are required to submit to a breath or blood test at the request of an officer.  California’s implied consent law views your driver’s license as a contract. Basically, the moment you accept the responsibilities that come with holding a driver’s license you are essentially agreeing that you will consent to a breath or blood test at the request of an officer.  If you refuse to submit to the test and are found guilty of the charges, you will face enhanced penalties, such as increased fines, more hours of community services, longer jail sentences, and a longer suspension of your driver’s license.

Contact a San Diego DUI Attorney

If you were arrested on DUI charges after submitting to a breath or blood test, it’s in your best interest to contact a San Diego DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Virginia Landry. An attorney at the firm can challenge the accuracy or admissibility of your test results, as there are many factors that could lead to an inaccurate reading. The attorneys at the firm are very skilled and experienced in disputing blood and breath test results and defending people arrested on DUI charges. No matter how complex your DUI case may be, the firm is committed providing you with the aggressive defense representation you need to win your case!

Learn more about blood and breath tests and how these may affect your charges by contacting a San Diego DUI lawyer at the firm.