HOWLAND, HESS, GUINAN, TORPEY, CASSIDY, O'CONNELL & BIRNBAUM, LLP
215-947-6240
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D.U.I - DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

General Information 
Blood Alcohol Content
Little Known Facts
Penalties
License Suspension
Testimonials
As our office is in Huntingdon Valley, most of the Drunk Driving/DUI matters we handle result from charges filed by the police departments in Lower Moreland, Upper Moreland, Abington, Horsham, Springfield, Upper Dublin, Rockledge, Cheltenham, Jenkintown, and Ambler. 

The new Pennsylvania Drunk Driving law carries more serious penalties than the previous DUI law. Depending on your blood alcohol content and previous offenses, if any, penalties vary from probation to jail time, and from no driver's license suspension to very lengthy license suspensions. The penalties for Drunk Driving/DUI/Driving After Imbibing are set forth in the chart below:

Pennsylvania Drunk Driving Penalty Chart

Initial Offense

Blood Alcohol Content
.08 - .099
.10 - .159
.16 and above
Minimum Sentence
------
2 days
3 days
Maximum Sentence
------
6 months
6 months
License Suspension
------
12 months
12 months

Second Offense

Blood Alcohol Content
.08 - .099
.10 - .159
.16 and above
Minimum Sentence
5 days
30 days
90 days
Maximum Sentence
6 months
6 months
5 years
License Suspension
12 months
12 months
12 months

Third Offense

Blood Alcohol Content
.08 - .099
.10 - .159
.16 and above
Minimum Sentence
10 days
90 days
1 year
Maximum Sentence
2 years
5 years
5 years
License Suspension
12 months
18 months
18 months

Fourth and Subsequent Offenses

Blood Alcohol Content
.08 - .099
.10 - .159
.16 and above
Minimum Sentence
10 days
1 year
1 year
Maximum Sentence
2 years
5 years
5 years
License Suspension
12 months
18 months
18 months
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Dennis R. Meakim
dmeakim@howlandhess.com
Ph: 215-914-2422

David W. Birnbaum

dbirnbaum@howlandhess.com
Ph: 215-914-2426
It is critically important to contact a defense attorney knowledgeable of the new DUI law in order to familiarize yourself with the nature of the charge, the seriousness of the charge and what options are available to you. Furthermore, it is important to understand how the legal penalties of jail, license suspensions, and convictions can impact on your employment, education, and career. For instance, a criminal conviction goes on your "record" and in most instances will remain there forever. 

One major opportunity to prevent having a "criminal record" is to seek admission to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (A.R.D.) Program. The A.R.D. Program not only allows for the expungement of one's criminal record, but also allows you to avoid jail with lesser license suspension penalties. As admission to the A.R.D. Program is a "privilege" and not a "right", applying for the Program in a timely and appropriate manner is of critical importance. 

Admission to the A.R.D. Program is for first-time offenders of non-violent crimes that meet certain strict criteria. We at Howland Hess Birnbaum can quickly review your case and advise you on your eligibility for the A.R.D. Program and the options you have if you are not eligible for the Program. 

The new DUI law, as identified in the chart above, requires "mandatory" penalties of jail time and lengthy license suspensions if you are not eligible for A.R.D., or if you are a multiple DUI offender. 

Remember, if you are charged with a Drunk Driving/DUI, please contact us online or call us at 215-947-6240 for a free initial consultation. 
The law office of Howland, Hess, Guinan, Torpey, Cassidy, O'Connell & Birnbaum, LLP is located in Huntingdon Valley, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and serves clients in Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County and Philadelphia County, including the towns of: Abington, Ambler, Blue Bell, Cheltenham, Conshohocken, Doylestown, Elkins Park, Glenside, Hatboro, Hilltown, Horsham, Huntingdon Valley, Jenkintown, King of Prussia, Lansdale Springfield, Montgomeryville, New Britain, Norristown, Plymouth Meeting, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland, Warminster, Warrington and Willow Grove.

The attorneys at Howland, Hess, Guinan, Torpey, Cassidy, O'Connell & Birnbaum, LLP also serve clients throughout Southern New Jersey including Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Cape May County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, and Salem County.

Practice Areas

Business & Corporate Law
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law & Litigation​
Criminal Defense
D.U.I.
Elder Law
Estate Administration, Litigation and Will Contests
Family Law
License Suspension
Personal Injury
Real Estate, Zoning & Land Use
Wills & Trusts, Estate & Tax Planning
Worker's Compensation

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David W. Birnbaum
Michael W. Cassidy
Thomas M. Guinan
Bruce D. Hess
John R. Howland
Dennis R. Meakim
George P. O'Connell
Richard I. Torpey
Remembering Robert G. Hess

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Howland, Hess, Guinan, Torpey, Cassidy, O'Connell & Birnbaum, LLP.
2444 Huntingdon Pike
Bethayres, PA 19006

Phone: 215-947-6240
Fax: 215-947-6254

info@howlandhess.com
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