Top

DUI: "It was only beer not liquor"

Question: I want to know if the type of alcohol consumed impacts the breath test. I only drank beer but when I got stopped and I took the breath test I scored .162. That's over twice the limit.

I'm not sure how that happened because I've drank vodka, gin, tequila and rum and I don't remember getting that drunk in the past. I've used those breath tests that you can buy in the store and I've used them in bars. I haven't gotten a test that high.

I was drinking beers for several hours and I don't think they were high gravity. I seem to recall that most were actually light beers. But when I was driving home a Johns Creek police officer saw me go thru a red light and pulled me over. I think I went thru a yellow light but maybe it was red.

I work as a bartender and I think I know a thing or two about drinking.

Do you think that I can use a defense that I was drinking beer and not any hard alcohol? Will that help my case?

D.F. in Johns Creek, GA

Answer: All types of alcoholic beverages can cause intoxication. Although "hard" alcohol has a greater alcohol content than does beer, beer can still get you intoxicated. Indeed, beer has a significantly lower "proof" than distilled spirits like tequila, gin, vodka, rum, etc., but it can still get someone drunk.

Many times we have seen situations where a person who usually drinks liquor drinks just drinks beer for an evening and they wonder how they got so drunk. This can happen because when many people drink "hard" liquor they often know how to pace themselves throughout a night.

But with beer sometimes people believe that they can drink a large amount of it and because its alcohol concentration is rather low, they think they are not getting drunk.

The breath test measures blood alcohol concentration (BAC). So whether the alcohol comes from beer or liquor is not a variable.

About Us

When you need high-level DUI representation, we're here for you! You're stressed-out and you need immediate help. Just call us at 678-215-4106.

When experience and knowledge really count, we're here for you. We've served as a Magistrate Judge, an Assistant Attorney General and as an Assistant County Attorney.

So when you need a superior Johns Creek DUI lawyer, William H. Sherman and Valerie W. Sherman should be your first choice!

Categories: 
Related Posts
  • The One-Leg Stand Test for DUI: A Crucial Field Sobriety Test in Forsyth County, Georgia Read More
  • Can You Really Be Arrested for DUI in Georgia Because of Prescription Drugs? Read More
  • Understanding Why Police Stop Cars for DUI in Gwinnett County, Georgia: DUI Attorney Read More
/

Contact Our Offices

Whether you have questions or you’re ready to get started, our legal team is ready to help. Complete our form below or call us at (678) 712-8561.

  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.