DUI offenders presenting with positive blood alcohol levels at presentencing evaluation

Breathalyzer tests were administered to 500 DUI offenders on the day that they arrived for their scheduled presentencing psychosocial evaluations. Positive blood alcohol levels were found in 132 (26.4%) of the offenders. The persons with positive blood alcohol levels were more likely to be diagnosed as having alcoholism disorders, had higher blood alcohol levels at the times of their arrests, complained of more severe symptoms attributable to excessive alcohol use and drank more than those who did not have positive blood alcohol levels.