The meaning of a .08 in Dawson Co. DUI cases

If you are facing DUI charges in Dawson County, you probably heard the Dawson County police officer talk about "being above a .08."  But what does a .08 mean?

Well, the amount of alcohol in a driver's body is measured by the weight of the alcohol in the blood. This is called the blood alcohol concentration or BAC. Theoretically, BAC measurements provide a way to identify levels of impairment, as alcohol at a certain level is presumed by the state legislature to mean indicate impairment to drive a motor vehicle. 

BAC is expressed in grams per deciliter (g/dl) of blood, and in Georgia a person is considered per se under the influence if his or her BAC is .08 g/dl or greater.  This is measured by a blood or breath test.  At the roadside stop, Dawson County officers usually administer alco-sensor breath tests to drivers they suspect of driving under the influence.  Dawson County officers and prosecuting attorneys give these results a great deal of weight, h owever, these tests can be unreliable as there are a variety of factors that affect their reading.

If you have been charged with a DUI, call experienced Dawsonville DUI attorney Richard S Lawson for a free consultation.