If you are charge with driving under the influence you may come across many terms that often associated with a drinking and driving arrest that you are not failure with.  Below are some of the general terms and a brief explanation; however, it may be best to speak with an attorneys you handles DUI case.  Our attorneys offer FREE CONSULTATIONS to those arrested for a drunk driving offense. To speak with an Orange Beach DUI lawyer call (251) 945-5300. 

Absorption Rate: The rate at which consumed alcohol is absorbed into the individuals blood stream. When the alcohol is in the stomach absorption is delayed. The absorption rate is affected by how much was food is in the individuals stomach, biologic differences of the person, and the type of alcoholic beverage consumed.  

BAC: Short for blood alcohol concentration (or content). BAC refers to the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream and is measured in percentages. BAC can be measured either by breath, blood or urine testing and is often used by law enforcement to determine whether or not a motorist is under the influence of alcohol.  Currently the legal limit in Orange Beach Alabama is 0.08% as the BAC limit.

Blood Test: A laboratory test that directly measures the percentage of alcohol content of the blood drawn from a DUI suspect.

Breath Test: A test of blood alcohol level that is done by measuring the alcohol level of the DUI suspect’s breath. To be accurate a breath test depends on the machine’s receiving air from deep in the lungs, and a mathematical formula, often called a source code, is used to calculate the blood alcohol level from the alcohol level of the air in the lungs.

Portable Breathalyzer PBT: A portable machine used by police officers to conduct a breath test on a DUI suspect and measure the blood alcohol content (BAC) of a suspected drunk driver.

Burnoff Rate: The rate, after consumption of alcohol, that the alcohol in the body is metabolized.  

DUI Classes: DUI classes are typically drug and alcohol education programs designed to help you realize how dangerous drinking and driving is and to hopefully ensure you are not a repeat offender. Your state will likely have a list of approved schools for you to choose from.

DUI: Driving While Under the Influence.

DWI: Driving While Intoxicated.  

FST: Field Sobriety Test. A series of physical and mental coordination tests designed to help law enforcement determine if they believe a driver is driving under the influence. These may include walk and turn, one legged stand, etc.

Implied Consent Laws: If you have an Alabama driver’s license, you have, consented to have your blood alcohol concentration measured and if you refuse your license can be suspended.

License Revocation: This means that your driving privileges have been canceled, typically for a period of time and at the expiration of that time period you would need to reapply for a driver's license.