Reader’s Question:
Luckily for me, I have never been caught drunk driving here in Houston, Texas. I know many people who have been charged with DUI. I hope the same thing will not happen to me because I know it would cost me a lot of time, money and effort. But if ever, what will the police officer ask me if I will be stopped for DUI suspicion?
Dennis
Houston, TX
When you are caught by a police officer for a DUI suspicion, a chain reaction of legal steps ensues. Drunk driving in Houston, Texas is a serious offense. The state of Texas requires blood alcohol content (BAC) of drivers to be .08% or less. Texas also has harsher punishments for drivers with extremely high BAC levels over .15 percent.
Generally, if a police officer stops you for DUI suspicion, you will be asked to perform field sobriety tests (FST) or an actual sobriety test to measure your level of intoxication. There are several testing options exist including breath, urine and blood tests. The state of Texas has implied consent law about sobriety tests. That means that if you get behind a wheel, are implying consent to take an alcohol test on the spot if requested. You, as a driver, usually have choice of tests. Breath testing is easier to challenge for accuracy than blood tests but breathalyzers do not scan for the presence of other drugs. If you refuse the test or have a BAC level over the limit, the police officer will probably take you into custody at the local police station. It is likely someone will have to pick you up or you will have to sleep overnight at the station to sober up, depending on your previous charges.
At this point, you will need an assistance of a qualified DUI lawyer in Houston, Texas to make sure that you know all the available options on your DUI case if ever you will be charged with one in the future.