DUI in Pennsylvania
October 2, 2018
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious crime in Pennsylvania. Law enforcement officers have a variety of tests, including field sobriety, breathalyzer, and blood alcohol content tests that can be used as evidence against you, so it is important to know what to expect when you have been charged with drunk driving in PA.
What to Expect When Charged with a DUI in Pennsylvania
The severity of the punishments you can expect for a DUI hinges on your level of impairment. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation defines general impairment as having either a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 to .099 percent or an undetermined BAC. First-time DUI offenders who are convicted of general impairment are usually sentenced to 150 hours of community service, a $300 fine, and six months of probation.
The second tier of DUI offenses includes motorists who drive with a high BAC, which is considered anywhere from .10 to .159 percent BAC. The highest BAC tier includes anyone who has a BAC over .16 percent. Penalties increase with each tier, and with each additional conviction for DUI. If you have already been convicted of one DUI and you are convicted again with the highest BAC, then you could face up to 18 months of a suspended license, 90 days to five (5) years in jail, a $1,500 to $10,000 fine, and the instillation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for one year. It is important to consider hiring a DUI lawyer to help minimize the penalties against you when you are charged with this crime.
Contact the Pennsylvania DUI Attorneys at Purchase, George & Murphey Now
The highly rated DUI attorneys at Purchase, George & Murphey are experienced in representing clients charged with DUIs in Erie, Meadville, North East, Millcreek, and everywhere else in PA. If you have been charged with this crime, then contact our office today to learn more about how our legal team can help you.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.