Florida DUI Glossary of Terms
Absorption Rate: The speed at which alcohol enters the bloodstream. Many factors can influence the Absorption Rate including: food consumption, type and concentration of alcohol consumed, and metabolic rate of the individual.
Administrative License Suspension: Suspension of driver’s license at the time of arrest without adjudication. In most states, if a driver refuses to submit to BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) testing he may have his/her license suspended at the time of arrest for DUI/DWI. In some instances, just having a BAC over the legal limit may result in Administrative License Suspension.
BAC: (Blood Alcohol Concentration) A measurement of the percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream. A driver’s BAC is used to determine whether a driver is legally intoxicated, and is measured by blood, urine or breath testing. As of 2007, all 50 states have enacted laws which make it illegal to drive with a BAC over 0.08%.
Blood Test: A test to measure a driver’s BAC by drawing his/her blood and measuring the alcohol concentration in a laboratory.
Breath Test: A method of testing a DUI suspect’s BAC by measuring the alcohol level in the breath. The breath test is performed with a breathalyzer machine that calculates air that is passed through from deep in the lungs and depends greatly upon the accuracy of the machine.
Breathalyzer: A portable machine used to administer a Breath Test to determine a driver’s BAC (blood alcohol concentration).
Burnoff Rate: The rate at which the body metabolizes ingested alcohol.
Chemical Test: Any one of a number of tests used to determine the concentration of drugs or alcohol in the body. Types of Chemical Tests include blood tests, urine tests, or breath tests.
Community Service: Community Service involves a specific number of hours of unpaid work performed for a non profit or civic organization. Examples include: roadside cleanup, working with the elderly community, or work in a recycling facility.
Conditional License: A license granted under specific conditions. In the case of a DUI, licensing may be dependent upon completion of an alcohol education class, community service, or other conditions as set forth in sentencing.
Diversion: A program instituted by the court that allows for a suspect to complete certain tasks in lieu of prosecution, such as alcohol education or counseling. If the conditions are met, the charges against the suspected motorist are dropped.
Driver Responsibility Tax: A tax imposed upon convicted DUI drivers in some states in addition to court fines and costs. Failure to comply generally results in suspension of driving privileges.
DUI School: A class that DUI offenders must attend that counsels and educates about the dangers of driving under the influence.
DUI/DWI: DUI stands for Driving under the Influence while DWI stands for Driving While Intoxicated. The designation differs from state to state.
Felony: A felony is a serious crime. In some states, a DUI which causes physical harm or death could result in a felony charge.
Field Sobriety Test: A series of physical and mental tests performed at a DUI stop to determine if a suspect is impaired. Examples include reciting the alphabet backwards or touching your nose with your fingertips.
Ignition Interlock Device: A device installed in a vehicle, attached to the ignition that prevents the engine from starting if it detects alcohol in the breath.
License Revocation: A cancellation of your driver’s license. You most likely will need to reapply for a new license after a certain period of time.
License Suspension: License suspension means you are unable to drive a car for a specific period of time. Some states suspend you license upon DUI arrest, not conviction.
Miranda Rights: The formal advisement by a police officer that you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Required to be read at time of arrest.
Misdemeanor: A less serious crime than a felony. Most 1st time DUI charges are misdemeanor.
Probation: A sentence in lieu of jail time. If conditions of probation are not met, it may be revoked and jail time will be imposed.
Provisional (or Restricted) License: A license issued with restrictions. In the case of DUI, you may only be able to drive to/from work or alcohol counseling.
Rising Curve Defense: If there is a long delay between time of arrest and time of BA testing, your blood alcohol concentration could rise due to rate of absorption.
Urine Test: A test performed in a laboratory to determine you BAC by analyzing a urine sample.
Vehicle Impound/Immobilization: With more than one DUI conviction, some states will impound a vehicle, or install an ignition interlock device.