D.U.I - DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
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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
Second Offense
Third Offense
Fourth and Subsequent Offenses
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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.
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.