It takes four to six weeks for DUI blood samples to come back in Los Angeles in many cases. However, the blood testing process can take months if the lab is busy.
A Los Angeles DUI lawyer can provide more information about the possible time frame for your case. A defense attorney can also explain options to dispute the results of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) tests and other options to handle charges for driving under the influence (DUI).
Find out more by calling or completing our online contact form.
What’s the Timeframe for Getting BAC Blood Test Results?
It can take as little as four to six weeks to get the results of a blood test back after a DUI arrest. However, in many cases, it takes much longer for a lab to finish working on a blood test. It may take a significant amount of time in our area because:
- Los Angeles is a huge city
- There are often many BAC tests due to get processed
Sometimes, the laboratories that handle BAC testing can also misplace or lose blood samples. If they recover the samples, this can lead to an additional delay in securing the results of a blood test.
So, how long does it take for DUI blood samples to return? The exact time can vary, but you can generally expect to wait around six weeks.
Why Does It Matter How Long It Takes to Get BAC Test Results?
In many cases, the prosecution will wait to begin your court case until the results of blood testing results come back. Therefore, the time frame for alcohol blood tests can influence how long it takes to resolve your DUI charges.
How Long Does Independent Blood Testing Take?
The time frame for independent testing can vary greatly, depending upon the lab chosen and the number of other tests they need to perform.
You can speak with your lawyer about how long it takes DUI blood samples to come back from independent testing for your case.
Why Would You Need Independent Blood Alcohol Tests?
Your lawyer can also request independent testing for your blood work to confirm information about your blood alcohol content (BAC) levels.
A criminal defense attorney can request a “split” to re-test your DUI blood sample before your case goes to trial. This request requires the prosecution to provide your lawyer with a sample of your blood draw. Your lawyer can send this sample to a different lab for independent testing.
Independent alcohol blood tests may help your lawyer build a defense if the police accuse you of driving under the influence of alcohol, helping you avoid a conviction, jail time, fines, and a license suspension.
Do You Have to Let the Police Test Your Blood Alcohol Levels?
Police officers can request that you complete a blood test after stopping you for a DUI. You must legally comply with BAC testing after an arrest because all drivers in California give “implied consent” to BAC testing.
You do not have to do anything or speak with anyone to give implied consent. Merely operating a vehicle in our state is enough to offer this kind of consent. Therefore, after a DUI arrest, you must legally complete one of the following:
- Breath test
- Urine test
- Blood test
Legally, you have the right to choose the kind of test you would like to take after a DUI arrest. Sometimes, not all of the testing options are available. Failure to complete a legally ordered BAC test can have serious repercussions for your life.
Drivers who refuse to take a BAC test ordered by a law enforcement officer after an arrest could face the suspension of their driver’s license from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You could also face fines and other penalties.
An attorney can provide more information about BAC in a DUI case.
Limits for BAC in California and DUI Charges
The state of California has set a limit for a driver’s BAC limit while driving. Drivers who exceed this legal limit can face charges for a DUI. According to Vehicle Code (VEH) §23152, drivers must keep their BAC below 0.08% in most cases.
However, some drivers have to maintain a lower BAC level to avoid criminal charges. Drivers have to keep their BAC:
- Under 0.04% if they operate commercial vehicles
- Under 0.01% if they are under the age of 21
Alcohol blood tests can provide information to a law enforcement agency about a driver’s BAC at the time of their arrest.
Defend Yourself After You Get BAC Test Results in Los Angeles
A lawyer can step in to help if the police accuse you of a DUI in Los Angeles. Your lawyer can dispute your BAC test results. A lawyer can also work to show that the police stopped you without reasonable cause.
Your attorney may focus on helping you resolve your charges, starting right now. An experienced attorney knows how to:
- Get your charges dismissed
- Get your charges reduced
- Defend you in court in Los Angeles
Many drivers in your situation can reduce their charges by accepting a plea bargain. An attorney can assess all plea bargain deals offered by the prosecution and help you if your case goes to court in California.
Build Your Defense While You Wait for DUI Blood Sample Results
How long does it take for DUI blood samples to come back? Alcohol blood test results may take a few months in most cases. However, alcohol testing may take much longer, depending on the current backlog in the labs.
While it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to get DUI blood samples back after an arrest, a licensed attorney can build your defense now. Find out more by calling or filling out our online contact form.
