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A Pennsylvania DUI conviction carries substantial consequences that may include fines, a driver's license suspension, and in many cases the possibility of a jail sentence. Your blood alcohol content (BAC) and the number of times you've been convicted of driving under the influence in the past 10 years are among the factors that will determine whether you face jail time in your PA DUI case. An experienced PA DUI attorney from Zachary B. Cooper, Attorney at Law, P.C. will take every step possible to minimize or eliminate a jail term in your driving under the influence case.
Pennsylvania has a three-tiered DUI law with punishment that is based on the driver's BAC and number of prior driving under the influence convictions. The three tiers of Pennsylvania DUI are as follows:
- General Impairment - .08 to .099 percent BAC
- High BAC - .10 to .159 percent BAC
- Highest BAC - .16 percent and greater BAC
If you're charged with a general-impairment Pennsylvania DUI charge and don't have any prior driving under the influence convictions within the past 10 years, you won't face any jail time. However, a general-impairment Pennsylvania DUI charge with one prior conviction carries a possible jail sentence of five days to six months in jail. A general-impairment Pennsylvania DUI charge with two priors carries a potential jail sentence of 10 days to two years.
A high-BAC Pennsylvania DUI charge with no prior driving under the influence convictions within the past 10 years carries the possibility of 48 hours to six months in jail. If you have one prior DUI conviction, you face 30 days to six months in jail. If you have two prior DUI convictions on your record, a high-BAC Pennsylvania DUI charge is punishable by 90 days to five years behind bars.
A highest-BAC Pennsylvania DUI charge with no prior convictions is punishable by 72 hours to six months in jail. A highest-BAC DUI conviction with one prior conviction within the past 10 years carries a punishment of 90 days to five years of incarceration. A highest-BAC Pennsylvania DUI charge with two or more prior convictions is punishable by one to five years in prison.
The jail or prison sentence possible after a Pennsylvania DUI conviction is in addition to fines, driver's license suspensions and other repercussions. The consequences of a PA DUI conviction are extremely harsh, so you need an experienced PA drunk driving defense lawyer on your side. A skilled PA DUI lawyer from Zachary B. Cooper, Attorney at Law, P.C. will seek to minimize or eliminate the possibility of a jail sentence and other negative repercussions.
