Jackass Star’s BAC 2X Legal Limit

According to a report from Fox News, Jackass Star, Ryan Dunn, had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than twice the legal limit at the time of the car crash that killed him and a passenger.  Police suspect that Dunn was driving in excess of 140mph. A toxicology report has stated that Dunn’s BAC was 0.196 at the time of the crash which authorities believe was alcohol-related. As a Washington, DC criminal defense attorney who handles DUI charges, I often get asked questions about BAC scores and what they mean.  In Washington, DC the legal limit of alcohol when driving is 0.08 grams per milliliter of blood.  How many drinks that may mean will depend on various factors including your weight.  For a rough estimate, feel free to try this BAC calculator.

If your BAC is in excess of 0.08 grams, you can be charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Washington, DC.   A DWI means that the government has to prove your BAC in court.  They do not need to show that you were actually impaired.  However, this may not be as easy it sounds given the many problems DC police have had with their breath testing program.  If they cannot prove a specific BAC, or your score was less than 0.08, they can charge you with driving under the influence (DUI) which requires proof of being under the influence of alcohol.

If your DUI lawyer is familiar with breathalyzer equipment, and field sobriety testing, there may be a lot that can be done to help your situation.  It is important to remember that an arrest for a DUI is not a conviction.