Richmond DUI LawyerIt is illegal to drive if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or above in Richmond. If you are over the limit, you will be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). However, if you have gone out on the town with some friends and had a few drinks, how do you know what your BAC is before you drive? Usually the only way you will find out if you are over the legal limit is if you are pulled over by a police officer. There are three ways that your BAC can be determined. The officer may choose one or more methods to test you. The most common method is a breath test, commonly known as the Breathalyzer. This test is quick and inexpensive. You will be asked to breathe into the disposable mouthpiece, which is attached to a hand-held breath testing machine. A digital reading or printout will be created. The other methods of testing your BAC level include blood and urine tests. It is not illegal to refuse to take the tests. However, the officer may assume that your refusal indicates your guilt, and may arrest you for “probable cause.” Once you are under arrest, you may have to take a blood or urine test once you are taken to the detention center. The officer also has probable cause to arrest you if you did not perform to his or her satisfaction on the standardized field sobriety tests that you were asked to take. You may be arrested for reckless driving, driving without a license (if you cannot find yours), or another reason. The penalties for being convicted of DUI are serious. For a first offense, they may include:
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