Pittsburgh DUI Lawyers

Pittsburgh DUI Lawyers

Persons arrested for DUI will be subject to additional criminal law penalties not addressed here — including jail time, fines, and community service. Such criminal penalties are typically more discretionary than those identified in this chart, and are therefore more difficult to accurately predict. Generally speaking, first-time DUI offenders can expect to incur a fine, and face the possibility of jail time. Repeat DUI offenders will incur harsher fines, and will almost certainly be sentenced to a number of days in jail. Penalties will be harsher still if the DUI offender was involved in an accident in which someone else was injured or killed.

Pennsylvania DUI Penalties

Pennsylvania has a series of penalty tiers, depending on the driver’s BAC. The tiers are .08, .10 to .159%, and .16 or higher.

Lookback Period: 10 years (Period of time that prior DUIs are relevant for sentencing)

 

 Administrative License Suspension/Revocation

The Administrative License Suspension/Revocation penalties indicated here refer to minimum mandatory penalties imposed on drivers whose BAC is above the state limit for intoxication, or drivers who refuse to submit to BAC testing. Administrative suspension or revocation of a driver’s license is usually carried out by a state agency (such as a Department of Motor Vehicles), distinct from any criminal court penalties. Most states impose harsher penalties for second or third DUI offenses, typically defined as those that occur within five years of a prior DUI offense.

Note: the penalties identified here do not include variations for DUI offenders operating commercial vehicles, or drivers who have violated “zero tolerance” and “enhanced penalty” DUI laws. Most states, including Pennsylvania recognize different sanctions for these types of DUI offenses.

 Mandatory Alcohol Education and Assessment

Alcohol education and treatment/assessment penalties for DUI offenders can include mandatory attendance at DUI prevention programs, and assessment of potential alcohol dependency problems. Such programs are often made “conditions” of a suspended sentence or probation, meaning that a DUI offender can avoid jail time and payment of hefty fines if he or she completes participation in the program.

Vehicle Confiscation

Vehicle confiscation penalties allow a motor vehicle department or law enforcement agency to seize a DUI offender’s vehicle, either permanently or for a set period of time. Such penalties typically apply only to repeat DUI offenders, and often the return of the vehicle requires payment of fines and significant administrative costs.

 Ignition Interlock

A vehicle ignition interlock breath-testing device measures a vehicle operator’s BAC, and will prevent operation of the vehicle if more than a minimal amount of alcohol is detected (i.e. BAC level of .02). DUI offenders will usually be required to pay the costs of installation, rental, and maintenance of an ignition interlock device.

Consult an Experienced Pittsburgh DUI Attorney

If you or a loved one are arrested for DUI in Pittsburgh or anywhere in Allegheny County, you may need an experienced Pittsburgh Pennsylvania DUI lawyer. A skilled attorney who specializes in defending DUI cases will evaluate all the evidence, including the procedure and results of any field sobriety and chemical tests, to ensure that your legal rights are protected. Plus it’s important to speak to a lawyer familiar with the laws in your jurisdiction. Our Pittsburgh DUI defense lawyers offer free consultations, so your first step should be to contact an experienced Pittsburgh DUI attorney.