In Rhode Island, and every other state in the U.S., it is illegal to drive while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher. For drivers under 21, the law is even stricter; it is prohibited to drive with a BAC of over .02%. But what happens when you’re barely over the legal limit? Your breathalyzer machine may have been improperly calibrated or your blood test may have been contaminated, so what can you do to have your charges lessened or even dropped?
The most important thing you can do is hire a DUI lawyer. Even if your BAC level is .01% over the legal limit, it is still considered against the law. Furthermore, you don’t even need to be over the limit to be charged for driving under the influence; a court can find you guilty as long as they believe your driving was impaired, regardless of blood alcohol content.
An experienced lawyer can help challenge the government’s case against you, by looking at improper protocol during the initial arrest and the chemical tests that determined your BAC. A lawyer can challenge that a breathalyzer test reading was inaccurate and that your BAC was actually below the legal limit during the time of your arrest.
If you’re facing a driving under the influence charge, please contact our Rhode Island DUI attorneys at The Law Office of Thomas C. Thomasian, Esq. We can help defend you against the harsh consequences of a DUI charge, such as jail time, a driver’s license suspension, community service, and court fees and fines.
Contact our office today at (401) 312-4385 or online for a free consultation.