Does your BAC level affect your charges?

When residents of Pennsylvania are asked to take a breathalyzer test, the charges that you face could be dependent upon the number that appears. Marinaro Law is here to help you understand the difference between BAC levels and their related charges.

First of all, there’s something called the “zero tolerance policy”. This means if you’re under 21 years of age and any level of alcohol is detected by the breathalyzer, you immediately get charged with a DUI, even if it’s lower than 0.08. This is intended to discourage underage drinking and driving. Punishment can include license suspension or revocation. It can also affect your scholastic life, as some students have been suspended from school for being convicted of DUI.

For anyone over 21 years, .08 to .099 is considered “general impairment”. This is enough for a person to be charged with a DUI. A high BAC level is anywhere from .10 to .159 BAC, and it can result in even higher penalties. At the highest, BAC levels can range from .16 to more. At this point, it’s even possible to be charged with a felony due to reckless endangerment.

Generally speaking, the higher your BAC level is, the harsher and more stringent your possible penalties will be. The lower they are, the easier it will be for you to contest them. If you would like to read more about BAC levels and how they could impact the DUI charges you face, take a look at our web site for further reading material and consider seeking the aid of an experienced attorney.