The rate at which your body absorbs alcohol is different from the rate at which another person’s body absorbs alcohol. What this means is that at any given time you might be considered legally over the limit, but the person sitting next to you is not characterized the same way. This difference really comes into play when you get behind the wheel of a car, and are pulled over on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. In order to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible about a potential DUI, a good starting point is to understand how alcohol affects you.
Five factors that can contribute to being charged with DUI include the following:
- Your gender and weight, with BAC’s typically escalating faster in females than in males.
- The amount of food you consume before and during drinking alcohol: food in your stomach will help to absorb alcohol faster and keep it out of your bloodstream.
- The regularity with which you drink alcohol on a daily or weekly basis: building up a tolerance to alcohol impacts how quickly alcohol is absorbed in your blood.
- Whether you are taking any medication, and how it interacts with alcohol: some prescriptions can “read” like alcohol, causing your BAC to elevate faster.
- Believe it or not, genetics also play a role: your liver enzymes and their genetic make-up impact the way in which alcohol enters your blood.
These factors all contribute to the rate at which alcohol is absorbed in your bloodstream, and could mean the difference in blowing over or under the legal limit. Of course the best way to avoid a DUI is to have a designated driver, or to make other arrangements for transportation. But, if that is not the case in your situation, it is important to know what might cause you to be considered legally drunk before you drive. There are no tried and true methods for getting out of a DUI (such as myths like counting drinks or waiting a certain amount of time in between drinking), but there are legal remedies available to you. If you have been charged with a DUI and want to know more about your rights, call our office. We will help you understand the case against you and work with you to develop a strategy that fits the facts.
Allow an experienced criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast to help you with your DUI case. Your first visit is a free initial consultation.