Driving Under The Influence (DUI) Defense

In 2004, Pennsylvania enacted a tougher law for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), which is now also referred to as Driving after Imbibing (DAI). Some of the more substantive changes are:

  • Lowering the legal limit for alcohol in the system from .10 to.08 percent blood-alcohol
  • A .08 percent or above blood-alcohol level, at the time of a test, is sufficient evidence for a conviction
  • Adopted zero tolerance for any illegal drugs in your system, including prescription drugs not prescribed to you
  • Stiffer penalties, including more jail time, longer Driver’s License suspensions, and higher fines

Norristown, Pennsylvania Drunk Driving Defense Attorney

If you are looking for an experienced Montgomery County DUI Lawyer to aggressively represent you, and who will stand up for your rights, please do not hesitate to call me immediately at 610-239-8870 or contact me through this website. I offer a free initial consultation.

Penalties are more serious for repeat DUI / DAI offenders

Subsequent convictions for DUI can result in penalties that include to one (1) year in jail and up to a five (5) year driver’s license suspension.  Other penalties include steep fines, long terms of probation and parole, as well as the requirement that an ignition interlock be placed on the defendant’s vehicle.  In short, the more DUI convictions that are accumulated, the harsher the penalties become.

A Must:  Hire an experienced Pennsylvania DUI lawyer.

DUI law is a specialized subset within the area of criminal law.  As an experienced DUI lawyer, I know how to defend the DUI charge and defeat it.   Some defenses to a DUI charge include:

  • No probable cause to pull over the defendant’s car;
  • No “reasonable suspicion” to arrest the defendant for DUI;
  • The chemical test wasn’t done correctly;
  • The defendant wasn’t actually “operating” the vehicle;

If you have been arrested and charged with DUI, don’t assume you are guilty.  I try DUI cases every year and win them.   If  the facts are stacked against you, you need a lawyer that will minimize penalties: saving the client jail time, license suspension, and time on probation and parole by negotiating an effective plea bargain.

 

DUI / DAI Links

The penalties for DUI / Drunk Driving/ Driving Under the Influence in PA are set forth in the following chart:

First Offense (DUI / Drunk Driving)

Blood Alcohol Content 0.08 – .099% 0.10 – .159% 0.16% and above
Minimum Sentence n/a 2 days 3 days
Maximum Sentence n/a 6 months 6 months
License Suspension n/a 12 months 12 months

Second Offense (DUI / Drunk Driving)

Blood Alcohol Content 0.08 – .099% 0.10 – .159% 0.16% and above
Minimum Sentence 5 days 30 days 90 days
Maximum Sentence 6 months 6 months 5 years
License Suspension 12 months 12 months 12 months

Third Offense (DUI / Drunk Driving)

Blood Alcohol Content 0.08 – .099% 0.10 – .159% 0.16% and above
Minimum Sentence 10 days 90 days 1 year
Maximum Sentence 2 years 5 years 5 years
License Suspension 12 months 18 months 18 months

Fourth and Subsequent Offenses (DUI / Drunk Driving)

Blood Alcohol Content 0.08 – .099% 0.10 – .159% 0.16% and above
Minimum Sentence 10 days 1 year 1 year
Maximum Sentence 2 years 5 years 5 years
License Suspension 12 months 18 months 18 months