UNDERSTAND DUI LAWS AND KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

All DUI charges are treated very seriously in Western Pennsylvania, but the range of penalties varies greatly depend on your BAC and whether you have been convicted of a DUI in the past. Even if this is your first DUI, the penalties can be severe.  The punishment for a first DUI can include a large fine (up to $5,000), incarceration, six months of probation, a year license suspension, and drug and alcohol assessment and alcohol safety training.  Even worse, a DUI can have significant adverse impacts on your present and future employment.  Fortunately, many first time DUI charges are eligible for the ARD program and an expungement from your record.  For all these reasons, you should not listen to anyone who says you should just plead guilty to a first DUI without first contacting a Criminal Defense Lawyer.

If you are being charged with your second or more DUI, the penalties will increase dramatically which each additional offense.  Likewise, Pennsylvania uses a tiered system where the penalties increase based on your recorded BAC.  Combining these two factors, the maximum penalties for a DUI are as follows:

For your FIRST DUI in ten years with a BAC between .08 and .0999, your sentence may include:

• Mandatory 6 months probation

• Fine $300

• Attend Alcohol Highway Safety School (AHSS)

• Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment if indicated by the Court Reporting Network (CRN)

• No License Suspension.

For your FIRST DUI in ten years with a BAC between .10 and .159, your sentence may include:

• Jail 48 hours to 6 months

• Fine $500 to $5,000

• Driver’s License Suspension for 12 months

• Immediate Interlock Eligibility

• Attend Alcohol Highway Safety School (AHSS)

• Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment if indicated by the Court Reporting Network (CRN).

For your FIRST DUI in ten years with a BAC between .16 and greater, your sentence may include:

• Jail 72 hours to 6 months

• Fine $1,000 to $5,000

• Driver’s License Suspension for 12 months

• Immediate Interlock Eligibility

• Attend Alcohol Highway Safety School (AHSS)

• Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment.

For your SECOND DUI in ten years with a BAC between .08 and .0999, your sentence may include:

• Jail 5 days to 6 months

• Fine $300 to $2,500

• Attend Alcohol Highway Safety School (AHSS)

• Driver’s License Suspension for 12 months

• Interlock Eligibility After 6 months

• Installation of Ignition Interlock System for 12 months

• Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment.

For your SECOND DUI in ten years with a BAC between .10 and .159, your sentence may include:

• Jail 30 days to 6 months

• Fine $750 to $5,000

• Attend Alcohol Highway Safety School (AHSS)

• Driver’s License Suspension for 12 months

• Interlock Eligibility After 6 months

• Installation of Ignition Interlock System for 12 months

• Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment.

For your SECOND DUI in ten years with a BAC between .16 and greater, your sentence may include:

• Jail 90 days to 5 years

• Fine $1,500 to $10,000

• Attend Alcohol Highway Safety School (AHSS)

• Driver’s License Suspension for 18 months

• Interlock Eligibility After 9 months

• Installation of Ignition Interlock System for 12 months

• Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment.

For your THIRD DUI in ten years with a BAC between .08 and .0999, your sentence may include:

• Jail 10 days to 2 years

• Fine $500 to $5,000

• Driver’s License Suspension for 12 months

• Interlock Eligibility After 6 months

• Installation of Ignition Interlock System for 12 months

• Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment.

For your THIRD DUI in ten years with a BAC between .10 and .159, your sentence may include:

• Jail 90 days to 5 years

• Fine $1,500 to $10,000

• Driver’s License Suspension for 18 months

• Interlock Eligibility After 9 months

• Installation of Ignition Interlock System for 12 months

• Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment.

For your THIRD DUI in ten years with a BAC between .16 and greater, your sentence may include:

• Graded as a Felony of the Third Degree

• Jail 1 to 7 years

• Fine $2,500 to $15,000

• Driver’s License Suspension for 18 months

• Interlock Eligibility After 9 months

• Installation of Ignition Interlock System for 12 months

• Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment

• DNA Sampling

For your FOURTH OR GREATER DUI in ten years with a BAC between .08 and .0999, your sentence may include:

• Graded as a Felony of the Third Degree

• Jail 10 days to 7 years – PA aw Prohibits House Arrest for a Fourth DUI

• Fine $500 to $15,000

• Driver’s License Suspension for 18 months

• Interlock Eligibility After 9 months

• Installation of Ignition Interlock System for 12 months

• Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment.

For your FOURTH OR GREATER DUI in ten years with a BAC between .10 and .159, your sentence may include:

• Graded as a Felony of the Third Degree

• Jail 1 to 7 years – PA Law Prohibits House Arrest for a Fourth DUI

• Fine $1,500 to $15,000

• Interlock Eligibility After 9 months

• Driver’s License Suspension for 18 months

• Installation of Ignition Interlock System for 12 months

• Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment.

For your FOURTH OR GREATER DUI in ten years with a BAC between .16 and greater, your sentence may include:

• Graded as a Felony of the Third Degree

• Jail 1 to 7 years – PA Law Prohibits House Arrest for a Fourth DUI

• Fine $2,500 to $15,000

• Driver’s License Suspension for 18 months

• Interlock Eligibility After 9 months

• Installation of Ignition Interlock System for 12 months

• Full Drug and Alcohol Assessment.

With so much at stake, you should contact a knowledgeable Criminal Defense Lawyer who can explain the elements of the offense, possible penalties (including suspension of your driving license), defenses, and expected outcomes.

Contact Us Today For a Free Consultation!

If you are facing serious charges and need quality legal representation, call DeLuco Law today at 412-444-8771 or  email us to receive a free evaluation of your case.  If you choose to hire DeLuco Law we will work as a team to develop a strategy to achieve the best possible result in your case.