A Pennsylvania DUI charge is extremely serious, and driving under the influence that causes injury to someone other than the driver carries especially harsh consequences. If you're facing a felony Pennsylvania DUI with injury charge, you need an experienced defense lawyer safeguarding your rights and fighting for your freedom. A skilled Pennsylvania DUI attorney from Zachary B. Cooper, Attorney at Law, P.C. will thoroughly analyze your case and develop a strategy designed to protect your rights.
Felony DUI with injury is a sentencing enhancement that can impact every aspect of the punishment in your Pennsylvania DUI case and bring more time in jail, larger fines, and longer driver's license suspensions.
The district attorney can add the sentencing enhancement of felony DUI with injury to your driving under the influence charge if someone other than you suffered even the slightest injury as a result of your alleged drunk driving. If another person suffered extremely serious injuries in connection with your Pennsylvania driving under the influence case, the district attorney can file the more serious sentencing enhancement of aggravated assault while under the influence.
A sentencing enhancement can be included when the original Pennsylvania DUI charge is filed against you or can be added later if your case is still pending and adding the enhancement won't unfairly affect your right to a fair trial.
Just like the underlying Pennsylvania DUI charge, the district attorney must prove a sentencing enhancement such as felony DUI with injury beyond a reasonable doubt in order for your sentence to be increased. You also cannot be punished for the enhancement if the district attorney cannot prove your guilt in the underlying Pennsylvania DUI charge.
A felony Pennsylvania DUI with injury charge has the potential to impact every aspect of your life, so you need an experienced lawyer defending your freedom. A knowledgeable Pennsylvania DUI lawyer from Zachary B. Cooper, Attorney at Law, P.C. can aggressively fight both your underlying drunk driving charge and any sentencing enhancements. Please contact us today for a free consultation.