You go out with friends for some drinks and make sure to find a safe ride home from the bar. You’ve done everything that you can to abide by the law. So when you get into your car the next morning to head for work, only to be stopped by the police under the suspicion of driving while under the influence. How is this possible?
To understand how this is possible, you must first understand how blood alcohol concentration works. Then you’ll be able to understand how a next-day DWI is in fact possible. Then you can take the correct measures to protect yourself.
What is Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)?
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measures the weight of alcohol in a specific volume of your blood. There are many different factors that can impact how your body absorbs alcohol and how your BAC level can rise. These factors include:
- Gender
- Weight
- Number of drinks you have had
- The time over which you have had the aforementioned drinks
- If you have had anything to eat
Women and individuals lower in body weight will likely experience a more rapid rise in their BAC level. Alternately, those who have eaten prior to having anything to drink may experience a slower absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, which can slow the rise of your BAC.
How Does Your Body Processes Alcohol?
For your body to process a standard size alcoholic beverage, it can take 75 to 90 minutes. As soon as you take a sip of alcohol, your body starts to metabolize and eliminate it through your breath, sweat, and oxidation.
Due to the fact that your body takes over an hour to an hour and a half on average to metabolize a standard size alcoholic beverage that you consume, you may experience a rise in your BAC level even several hours after you’ve ceased drinking. Therefore, while you may have stopped drinking the night prior to driving, when you leave early in the morning your BAC level may just be peaking. Therefore, your BAC can be over the legal limit of 0.08 the next morning and you can be arrested for DWI.
It’s important to know that a first time DWI offense can result in a fine of up to $2,000, a jail sentence between three and 180 days, the loss of your driver’s license for up to a year, and an annual fee of $1,000 or $2,000 for the following three years in order to keep your license. There is undoubtedly a lot at stake.
The Attorneys at Ceja Law Firm Help Those in Houston Who Have Been Charged with a DWI Offense
If you have been charged with a DWI offense in Texas, it is important to take the situation very seriously. At Ceja Law Firm PLLC, we understand the serious nature of such a criminal charge and the impact that it can have on your life. That’s why we will work to help you obtain the best possible outcome. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!
