DUI Lawyer - Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania

What happens if I was arrested for DUI in Altoona-Johnstown?

Under Pennsylvania law, when you have been cited for violating the DUI statute, the state imposes penalties based on your BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level. Pennsylvania uses a 3-tier system to impose DUI charges upon an offender:

• General Impairment: 0.08 to 0.099% BAC level
• High BAC: 0.10 to 0.159% BAC
• Highest BAC: 0.16% and higher

Being arrested for DUI is a serious offense that can have serious consequences, including jail time, loss of driving privileges, and monetary fines. It is imperative that anyone facing a Pennsylvania DUI understand what challenges they will encounter. Seeking the legal advice of an accomplished and professional DUI criminal defense lawyer will help you understand all of your rights and options.

DUI Penalties for First Time General Impairment Offenders

• Jail Time - Pennsylvania does not require that the offender serve any time in jail.
• Monetary Fines - In Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania, fines for a first time DUI are $300.
• Pennsylvania Driving Privileges and DUI - A first time DUI conviction will not result in the suspension of driving privileges.

DUI Penalties for First Time High BAC Offenders

• Jail Time - A first time DUI / DWI offender faces at least 48 consecutive hours, up to 6 months time in jail.
• Driving Privileges and DUI - In Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a first time DUI / DWI conviction (High BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level) results in the revocation of driving privileges for 12 months.
• Monetary Fines - In Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania, fines for a first time DUI are $500 to $5,000.

Pennsylvania DUI Penalties for First Time Highest BAC Offenders

• Pennsylvania Driving Privileges and DUI - In Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a first time DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) conviction (High BAC) results in the revocation of Pennsylvania driving privileges for 12 months.
• Jail Time - A first time DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) offender faces at least 72 consecutive hours, up to 6 months imprisonment.
• Monetary Fines - In Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania, fines for a first time DUI are $1,000 to $5,000.
• Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the suspension of driving privileges for 12 months. The penalties for refusal to submit to chemical testing are the same as those for the Highest BAC offenders. Pursuant to Pennsylvania law, an individual may request an Administrative Hearing from the Department of Transportation only in the event the offender refused chemical testing.
• Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the DUI statute with a BAC level of 0.04. A first time DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 year, while any subsequent DUI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the commercial license in Pennsylvania.
• Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of a drug and alcohol assessment and program is required for reinstatement of Pennsylvania driving privileges.

Pennsylvania DUI Subsequent Offenses

Because penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional DUI violations and the complexity of DUI laws in Pennsylvania, you may not be aware of options and rights. For this reason, a competent and skilled criminal defense attorney can guide you through this challenging process. Please contact a Pennsylvania DUI for a free, professional consultation.

Pennsylvania Interlock

Recently, Pennsylvania enacted Act 63 of 2000, the Ignition Interlock Act, which requires, in many instances, an interlock device to be placed upon the vehicle of a defendant who has been found guilty of a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) offense. This interlock system requires the defendant to blow into a device attached to the vehicle before they are able to drive the vehicle.

Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD)

First time offenders are given a 30, 60, 90, 120, or 180 day driver's license suspension. At the present time, ARD-related driver's license suspensions are handled by PennDOT (the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation). PennDOT will notify the defendant when and where to turn in his/her license when the suspension starts. The only suspension that the court handles is the 180-day ARD. It is the defendant's responsibility to complete all court-ordered treatment programs and to pay all court costs in full. When these have been completed, it is the defendant's responsibility to notify the Department of Court Records, Criminal Division to have his/her license restored.

Note: It is the defendants responsibility to complete all Court Ordered treatment programs and pay all court costs and fines in full before a driver's license can be restored. Seeking the legal advice of an aggressive and knowledgeable DUI lawyer will help you understand all of your options and rights.