A Pennsylvania DUI arrest triggers a court prosecution that carries significant consequences if you're convicted. Your case may be resolved by a skillfully negotiated plea bargain that might result in reduced charges and/or lesser punishment. If you are convicted of a Pennsylvania DUI in court or if you enter a plea or plea bargain, the next phase of the court process is sentencing. An experienced Pennsylvania DUI lawyer from Zachary B. Cooper, Attorney at Law, P.C. will always strive to minimize or even eliminate the repercussions of a PA driving under the influence charge.
In 2003, Pennsylvania adopted a three-tiered DUI law that bases penalties on the driver's blood alcohol content (BAC) and other factors such as prior driving under the influence convictions. The three BAC levels are:
The punishment for a general-impairment Pennsylvania DUI with a BAC of .08 to .099 percent depends on whether you have prior driving under the influence convictions within the past 10 years. If you don't have prior convictions, a general-impairment Pennsylvania DUI conviction carries a $300 fine, up to six months probation, alcohol highway safety school, and substance-abuse treatment if ordered.
If you have one prior driving under the influence conviction, a general-impairment Pennsylvania DUI conviction carries a 12-month driver's license suspension, five days to six months in jail, a $300 to $2,500 fine, an ignition interlock device for one year, alcohol highway safety school, and substance-abuse treatment if ordered.
A general-impairment Pennsylvania DUI charge with two or more prior convictions in the past 10 years is a second-degree misdemeanor which carries a 12-month driver's license suspension, 10 days to two years in prison, a $500 to $5,000 fine, an ignition interlock device for one year, and substance-abuse treatment if ordered.
If you're charged with a high-BAC Pennsylvania DUI charge and have no prior convictions for driving under the influence within the past 10 years, you face a 12-month driver's license suspension, 48 hours to six months in jail, a fine of $500 to $5,000, alcohol highway safety school, and substance-abuse treatment if ordered.
A high-BAC Pennsylvania DUI charge with one prior conviction carries a 12-month driver's license suspension, 30 days to six months in jail, a $750 to $5,000 fine, an ignition interlock device for one year, alcohol highway safety school, and substance-abuse treatment if ordered.
A high-BAC Pennsylvania DUI charge with two prior convictions is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable with an 18-month driver's license suspension, 90 days to five years of incarceration, a fine of $1,500 to $10,000, an ignition interlock device for one year, and substance-abuse treatment if ordered.
A high-BAC Pennsylvania DUI charge with three or more prior convictions is a first-degree misdemeanor that carries an 18-month driver's license suspension, one to five years in prison, a $1,500 to $10,000 fine, an ignition interlock device for one year, and substance-abuse treatment if ordered.
If you're charged with highest-BAC Pennsylvania DUI - .16 percent BAC or greater - and have no prior convictions for driving under the influence within the past 10 years, you face a 12-month driver's license suspension, 72 hours to six months in jail, a $1,000 to $5,000 fine, alcohol highway safety school, and substance-abuse treatment if ordered.
A Pennsylvania DUI charge with the highest BAC and one prior conviction is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by an 18-month driver's license suspension, 90 days to five years of incarceration, a $1,500 to $10,000 fine, an ignition interlock device for one year, alcohol highway safety school, and substance-abuse treatment if ordered.
A highest-BAC Pennsylvania DUI charge with two or more prior convictions within 10 years is a first-degree misdemeanor that carries an 18-month driver's license suspension, one to five years in prison, a fine of $2,500 to $10,000, alcohol highway safety school, and substance-abuse treatment if ordered.
Clearly, the repercussions of a Pennsylvania DUI conviction are extremely significant, but it may be possible to avoid some or all of these consequences. An experienced Pennsylvania DUI attorney from Zachary B. Cooper, Attorney at Law, P.C. will thoroughly analyze your case to determine the most promising strategy for your defense.