How Long Does It Take for Alcohol Breath to Go Away?
Alcohol can remain on your breath for around twenty-four hours. For this reason, you might “fail” breathalyzer tests even the morning after alcohol consumption.
If you are detained because of failing a breathalyzer test, you may need a DUI lawyer for legal representation. They can prepare a robust defense to get the charges against you dropped or reduced. It’s vital to seek legal advice before accepting the prosecutor’s plea bargain.
How Long Can a Breathalyzer Detect Alcohol?
A breath alcohol test can detect alcohol for 12 to 24 hours and may be able to identify alcohol as early as 15 minutes after your first drink.
As long as alcohol is still in your system, chemical tests can detect it. You should know that roughly 10% of the alcohol in your body will be expelled through breath, sweat, and urine. The body will process the remaining 90%.
The individual and the amount of alcohol taken can determine how long it stays on the breath. The alcohol metabolism of an individual depends on several variables, including weight, age, and sex. These variables will also determine the detection time.
If You Have Alcohol on Your Breath, Will You Go to Jail for Drunk Driving?
No, before a DUI arrest, police need to prove that the suspect was driving while impaired. Of course, the smell of liquor on your breath may indicate that you were consuming alcohol, but it usually isn’t enough proof to back up an arrest for drunk driving.
However, you should know that an alcohol breath implies alcohol use and may give the officer reasonable suspicion that you’ve committed a DUI offense. In this situation, the officer may request a field sobriety test, a breath test, or a blood test.
If arrested for a DUI accusation, you can immediately seek a DUI attorney to give you legal counsel and defend you.
How Do You Get Alcohol off Your Breath?
There isn’t a secret method to remove the smell of alcohol from your breath. Drinking coffee or brushing your teeth may make you feel better. However, your body can only metabolize alcohol at a rate of roughly .015 grams per hour. The only way you can get alcohol out of your system is through time.
Avoid using an alcohol-based mouthwash after drinking alcohol and especially if you plan to drive. Mouthwash and breath spray can affect the breathalyzer’s results. You can, however, chew gum, which helps in producing saliva and covering up alcohol smell.
As you probably can’t get rid of alcohol breath, it’s better to wait until your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .02% or lower to drive. The metabolization of one drink takes around an hour. So if you’ve had five drinks, it will take at least five hours for the alcohol to get out of your system.
It is also important to note that age, sex, weight, and the type of alcohol consumed can influence how alcohol leaves your body.
How Long Does One Beer Stay On Your Breath?
There are about 14 grams of alcohol in one beer, so an average person’s BAC rises to .02% after drinking one.
Your blood alcohol concentration should be around zero an hour after drinking. However, this is only true if you don’t consume any more alcoholic beverages.
When you consume three or four drinks, your blood alcohol level will increase to .08%. This rate may take up to five hours to drop to zero.
If you take an alcohol overdose before bed, you can still have a high BAC when you wake up. If you have to be at work the following morning, you may want to avoid driving.
Can You Fail a Breathalyzer Test 12 Hours After Drinking?
Individual differences affect how long alcohol stays on the breath. The breathalyzer device may detect alcohol for up to 12 hours in average people. However, the same breathalyzer can detect alcohol breath for twice as long in certain people.
Although an average person metabolizes about one alcoholic drink per hour, this rate may vary in some cases.
For instance, alcohol may linger on the breath for longer in older people than in young people. This is because their alcohol metabolism is slower. Moreover, alcohol stays in a woman’s system longer because they metabolize alcohol slower than men.
People with diabetes may fail a breathalyzer test even if they had their last drink very long ago. This is because the symptoms of low blood sugar resemble those of alcohol intoxication, which affects the accuracy of the breath test.
Other tests are available where a breathalyzer test doesn’t produce correct results. You may request an independent blood alcohol test or a urine test if you failed a breathalyzer.
Can I Refuse to Take a Breathalyzer Test in Georgia?
You can refuse a breathalyzer test in Georgia. However, your refusal may result in a DUI arrest and detainment. Holding a Georgia driver’s license gives implied consent to chemical testing. If you refuse to take the breathalyzer test, your driver’s license may be suspended for 12 months.
To appeal the suspension of your driving privileges, you can either request an administrative license hearing or install an ignition interlock device within 30 days of the arrest.
Moreover, you may face criminal penalties on top of losing your license if you’re found guilty of DUI. If you are charged with DUI, exercise your right to remain silent and call a DUI lawyer. An experienced attorney with DUI cases can be crucial for your defense.
How Chehimi Law LLC Attorneys Can Help with Your DUI Case
DUI is a serious crime that carries severe consequences, including jail time, driver’s license suspension, and hefty fines. Our DUI lawyer is at your service and can assist you in establishing a solid legal defense that can reduce your charges or dismiss your case.
Chehimi Law LLC can provide you with the legal counsel and representation you need if you are facing DUI charges. Contact our attorneys today for a free consultation.