What Part Does Blood Alcohol Concentration Play in New Jersey DUI Charges and Penalties?
Blood Alcohol Concentration, or BAC, refers to the amount of alcohol in an individual's blood. Determining a driver’s BAC is an important part of any New Jersey driving while intoxicated (DWI) case as the level of alcohol concentration in the blood stream will likely affect the charges a driver might face. New Jersey slaps additional penalties on individuals with a heightened BAC, that is why it becomes crucial to examine how the results were determined and if they are accurate.
In New Jersey, drivers with a BAC between .08 percent and .1 percent face a license suspension of three months. This penalty increases to seven months or up to one year if the BAC is over .1 percent. BAC also plays an important role in cases involving underage DUI in New Jersey. Drivers under the age of 21 may face DWI penalties in New Jersey if there is a BAC greater than .01 percent.
Breathalyzer tests are far from perfect and there is ample opportunity for mistakes to be made by the authorities. Skilled DWI defense attorneys will ask a number of questions regarding the validity of the test. When was the breathalyzer last calibrated? Were errors made during the test? Was the driver on any medications that could have affected the results? Was a blood test given at the police station or are the charges based solely on the results of a breath test taken in the field?
If you or a loved one is facing DWI charges, the knowledgeable NJ drunk driving defense lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein can help. We will aggressively fight the charges using our skill, knowledge, and extensive experience. Call us at (609) 240-0040 to discuss your case at absolutely no cost.
