DUI Defense Attorneys at Musca Law

Frequently Asked Questions of DUI Lawyers

What is DUI?

DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence.  If an individual is found to be operating any kind of motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they are at risk of being charged with DUI.  Under Florida law, if a person’s blood alcohol content is .08 percent or higher, they can be charged with DUI. 

What does BAC stand for?

BAC stands for Blood Alcohol Content.  If a person’s blood contains .08 percent or more of alcohol, it means that they are legally intoxicated and can be charged with DUI if found to be operating a motor vehicle.  BAC is measured by a blood, breath, or urine test, which will determine the percentage of alcohol in the blood. 

Are blood and breath tests always accurate ways of determining BAC?

Blood and breath tests are used to measure the amount of alcohol present in a person’s blood stream.  Of the two methods, blood testing is considered to be more accurate, but it is important to note that errors can occur in both tests that can lead to inaccurate test results. Your DUI defense attorney can examine the testing equipment and all information surrounding the test in order to determine if any errors were made during the test that could’ve contributed to an inaccurate result. 

Can field sobriety tests be used to incriminate a person for DUI? 

There is much controversy surrounding field sobriety tests because many people feel that they are not an accurate way of determining sobriety.  Officers sometimes request drivers to perform field sobriety tests if they are suspicious of drunk driving.  Field sobriety tests are also used by officers as evidence for probable cause, because they cannot legally arrest someone without having reason to believe that they have in some way broken a law, in this case, DUI.  The field sobriety test is recorded on video and if the person performs poorly during the test, it can be used against them in court as evidence of DUI.

If you have been charged with drunk driving in Tampa or Sarasota and need specific questions answered, contact a DUI Defense Lawyer at Musca Law today!