Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in Texas
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Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is the measurement of the amount of alcohol in the blood. Because the height, weight, sex, and amount of body fat differ in every individual, Blood Alcohol Content cannot be accurately determined strictly by the number of drinks consumed. A Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC) can provide an estimation of BAC using breath testing devices such as a Breathalyzer. In all fifty states, it is illegal to drive with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.08 or higher. The only conclusive test to determine Blood Alcohol Content is a urine sample.
IN the last two years, Texas has the highest number of fatalities due to consumption of alcohol in the United States (over 3,300 in each of the past two years). It’s with good reason that the DWI (Driving while intoxicated) and DUI (Driving under the influence) laws are some of the toughest in the country.
In the state of Texas, the first offense is a “Class B Misdemeanor”. That means that the guilty driver will pay no more than a $2,000 fine, jail time of no less than 3 days and no more than 6 months. The court will also mandate community service of at least 24 hours and no more than 100 hours. An individual’s driver’s license is suspended upon conviction of their first DWI for at least 90 days up to 1 year.
If there is a second offense within 10 years of the first offense, the guilty driver will receive a “Class A Misdemeanor” which means that the guilty offender will have to pay up to a $10,000 fine and up to 9 months in prison. A second offense will also mean the suspension of the person’s driver’s license for 18 months. At the end of the 18 months, the driver must pay $125.00 in order to obtain their license again.
In most cases of DUI, or DWI convictions, the court will require the driver to complete an alcohol education program.
