Driving under the influence is not always as simple as drinking a bunch of alcohol, feeling extremely dizzy, and getting behind the wheel of a car. There are many instances in which those who do not feel particularly drunk get pulled over and arrested for a DUI. To learn more about how you can get a DUI even if you don’t feel drunk, call a Greeley DUI defense attorney from the McAdams Law Office today.
Humans are incredibly unique in their biology. The same can be said for one’s alcohol tolerance, which extends much further than weight, height, and recent drinking history. Although these metrics sometimes, but not always, contribute to a higher or lower alcohol tolerance, some people simply experience the effects of alcohol less than others.
In fact, genetics is one of the most significant predictors of who is more susceptible to the effects of alcohol, according to medical experts at Stanford Medicine. The alcohol molecules are broken down through the work of three enzymes controlled by a specific gene in one’s DNA. Some individuals have different variations of this gene that can influence how quickly they become inebriated or flush alcohol from their system. Furthermore, age, gender, food in the stomach, medications, physical and emotional health, and much more can have further influences on someone’s tolerance levels.
When all is said and done, some individuals have a higher tolerance than others. These people may find it harder to manage their alcohol properly because of this tolerance. Although they might be perfectly controlling alcohol to the extent to which they feel they can drive, the real metric of what constitutes driving under the influence (DUI) exceeds legal limits.
The reality of a DUI is that how drunk one feels has little impact on their ability to be charged with a DUI, as police officers make the decision to arrest based on blood alcohol content, or BAC. In Colorado, it is illegal for someone to operate a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 percent or above, regardless of how “drunk” they feel. This caveat can land those with high tolerances in a great deal of danger, as they may be unaware of how much alcohol they really have in their system.
For many individuals who register at or above a 0.08% BAC, they may experience:
However, this is hardly the case for everyone. Many who register above this limit have no observable issues driving a car. Yet even so, the result will still remain the same in the eyes of the law: a charge for driving under the influence of alcohol.
At McAdams Law Office, we offer genuine dedication to you and your case by providing some of the most passionate Greeley DUI defense attorneys out there. Our firm offers free consultations and custom legal strategy plans for you and your loved ones. Call today at 970-353-0000 or follow this link to our online contact form.
William T. McAdams, known as Bill, is a highly experienced criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor. Since establishing McAdams Law Office in 2006, he has represented clients in cases including DUI, domestic violence, and theft, handling over 100 jury trials. Bill serves clients predominantly in Weld and Larimer counties, including Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Loveland, and Fort Collins. An active community volunteer and member of multiple legal associations, he is dedicated to protecting his clients’ rights.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partiner, William McAdams who has more than 25 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.