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What is an ignition interlock device?
If you have been convicted of drunk driving in Pennsylvania, the penalties you will face depend on the exact circumstances of your case. These penalties get more severe with certain aggravating factors For instance, a first-time offender with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of under 0.10% may face six months...
Continue ReadingHow can I get my license reinstated after a DUI conviction?
The penalties associated with a drunk driving conviction can be significant. Depending on the facts of your case, you can face jail time, fines, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, license suspension or revocation, and damage to your reputation. Even when you think you’ve paid your debt to society,...
Continue ReadingWhat you need to know about Pennsylvania’s open container law
There’s no question that a drunk driving conviction can upend life as you know it. But that’s not the only alcohol-related offense that can disrupt your future. Pennsylvania, like many other states in the country, has a law that makes it illegal to drink or simply possess an open alcohol...
Continue ReadingDUI stop leads to many other charges
Many people who assume the risk of driving while intoxicated do not always realize the risk of being charged with several serious crimes if they are stopped for a possible DUI. A recent arrest in Akron Borough demonstrates how these additional charges may quickly pile up. The incident According to...
Continue ReadingProfessional drivers must avoid even a first DUI
The criminal penalties even for one DUI in Pennsylvania are steep. While a first-time DUI with no aggravating circumstances will not require jail time, it is still a criminal conviction. Furthermore, any prior DUIs will make the punishments harsher. Pennsylvania also punishes those with higher BAC levels, over .10 and...
Continue ReadingAvoiding a DUI over the holidays
We are all busier during the holidays, which are filled with parties, family gatherings and other social events. Many of these events involve alcohol and you may find yourself having a few drinks more often than usual. Police officers know this, which is why there are often more cops on...
Continue ReadingThree reasons DUI breath tests might not be reliable
If you have been charged with DUI in Pennsylvania, the prosecution will most likely use the results of a chemical breath test as evidence against you. This can be very powerful evidence. If your test showed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, you are legally presumed too...
Continue ReadingCan I get a drug DUI if I have a valid prescription for the drug?
If you have a chronic health condition or a serious illness, it is likely that you take a prescription drug to manage or treat it. These drugs are lawful to use as directed if you have a valid prescription. Still, some of these drugs have side effects that can affect...
Continue ReadingThe ARD program may clear your name if you are charged with DUI
You got a DUI and now what? Will you have to go to jail? The thought itself is terrifying not to mention how your life will be changed forever even upon your release. Getting a DUI in Pennsylvania does not always mean jail time and a conviction. One alternative to...
Continue ReadingPossible ways to challenge a breath test
Getting charged with a DUI in Pennsylvania is a serious event that affects many areas of your life. You face high fines, loss of your driver’s license and potential jail time. A DUI conviction could also affect your career or reputation among family and friends. Although there are potential defenses...
Continue ReadingDrivers with multiple DUIs face harsher penalties in Pennsylvania
People who are accused of driving under the influence in Pennsylvania have always faced penalties if they were convicted. In an effort to promote safer roadways, lawmakers and others keep pushing to make the penalties harsher and harsher. To have a strong defense, it’s important to be knowledgeable about the...
Continue ReadingHow long are drivers’ licenses suspended after DUI?
There are many different laws and penalties regarding DUIs in Pennsylvania. People may understand that they could be sent to jail, have to pay fines, lose their drivers’ licenses and other penalties. However, which penalties people will face for a particular DUI offense depends on their blood alcohol concentration (BAC)...
Continue ReadingCan I get a DUI while parked in my driveway?
You may be returning home after a night out and be shocked to find a police car driving up behind you as you pull into your driveway. If the police officer asks if you’ve been drinking that night, you may be surprised, assuming that since you are home safe, you...
Continue ReadingCan the TSA arrest me for being drunk?
For anyone who has flown recently, you know it can be stressful, especially when you are stuck on a long layover or coming back to the airport after your original flight was cancelled. As such, you can hardly be blamed for having a drink or two during your layover or...
Continue ReadingWhat is a field sobriety test?
Being stopped for suspicion of drunk driving is intimidating. Before making an arrest; however, the police officer may try to have motorists submit to a battery of tests that evaluate the driver’s balance, coordination and ability to divide their attention to multiple tasks. Field sobriety tests The field sobriety test...
Continue ReadingSix key DUI defense strategies
A DUI conviction can leave your future in jeopardy. It can threaten your license, your job, and even your freedom. With a significant risk of harsh penalties, it’s crucial that you know how to build an aggressive criminal defense that protects your interests as fully as possible. But what defense...
Continue ReadingPolice don’t need a chemical test to charge for DUI
It is a common image in popular culture of police giving someone a portable breath test at the side of the road. The idea is the officer is using that instrument to decide if a person is too drunk to operate a motor vehicle, and, thus, in violation of the...
Continue ReadingHow do penalties increase for people with multiple DUIs?
When people drink alcohol in Pennsylvania there are plenty of activities that are both fun and legal to do. However, driving one’s vehicle after drinking too much can result in being charged with a DUI. Being charged with a first DUI can result in license suspensions, fines, jail and other...
Continue ReadingDriving under the influence: will my license be suspended?
When someone is arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, it is often their first and only experience with the criminal justice system. It can be a shocking and confusing time, with more questions than immediate answers. One of the most common things people want to know is what...
Continue ReadingThe potential penalties and consequences of DUI charges
The ramifications of drunk driving charges can be significant for accused drivers facing DUI charges. Accused drivers may face the threat of significant negative impacts to their personal and professional lives as a result of DUI charges which is why they should understand criminal defense options that may be available...
Continue ReadingDrugged driving: What to know
Driving under the influence of alcohol – also known as DUI – is exceedingly dangerous. Equally dangerous is a less-known activity that can still lead to serious injuries and criminal charges: driving under the influence of controlled substances. Pennsylvania has very strict laws about operating a vehicle while using drugs,...
Continue ReadingHere are some ways to defend against DUI charges
If you’re facing drunk driving charges for the first time, then you’re probably worried about how such allegations may affect your future. It’s true that drunk driving charges can cause a lot of upheaval in your life, especially if they end up leading to conviction. You might have your license...
Continue ReadingWhat happens after a first DUI offense?
A DUI conviction can drastically change your manner of living. In Pennsylvania, the most extreme multiple offenses can result in fines as much as $10,000, up to five years in prison, and loss of license for up to 18 months. More than 20,000 DUI arrests occur every year in Pennsylvania,...
Continue ReadingIs there forgiveness for first-time DUI offenders?
Your slight miscalculation has led to a serious citation — after a night of drinks to celebrate a friend’s job promotion you received a DUI charge. You were under the impression that you waited long enough to sober up and drive yourself, otherwise you would have used a rideshare app...
Continue ReadingWill you lose your license after a DUI?
A drunk driving arrest is a stressful event. You may wonder how your family will react or whether you’ll lose your job. There is certainly a lot to consider as you’re riding in the back of the squad car, but there’s one thing that should be at the front of...
Continue ReadingShould you hire an attorney after your first DUI
You may think that you do not need an attorney after your first DUI arrest. Many times, people believe they do not have options and take whatever sentence is handed to them. However, besides assistance in defending your case, an attorney can assist in several situations you will be faced...
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