If you are facing a multiple DUI charge in Pennsylvania, you probably have a lot of questions. You may be worried about going to jail, how much the DUI will cost you, and whether you’ll lose your driver’s license. Pennsylvania prosecutors take DUI charges extremely seriously, and it’s important that you reach out to an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Our Pittsburgh Multiple DUI Attorney
Taking DUI charges seriously is important. The penalties for a multiple DUI are serious, but there is hope. The experienced DUI attorneys at Jones Gregg Creehan & Gerace will thoroughly investigate all of the factors leading up to your arrest to find potential police procedural errors, constitutional violations, or faulty breath test equipment. Our DUI attorneys will fight for the best outcome possible in your case.
The Penalties for Multiple DUI in Pennsylvania
Under Pennsylvania law, driving with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher is illegal for drivers over 21. For drivers under 21, the legal BAC level is .02 percent. Pennsylvania uses three different categories to determine a defendant’s alcohol impairment level. When it comes to multiple DUI charges, the penalties depend on the driver’s impairment level and whether this is a first, second, third, or subsequent offense. The three tiers of intoxication in Pennsylvania are:
- General impairment – a BAC between .08 and .099
- High BAC – BAC between .1 and .159
- Highest BAC – BAC between .16 and higher
For example, a driver is facing a first-time DUI charge and has a general impairment level, he or she could be facing six months on probation, the need to attend Alcohol Highway Safety School, and a fine. However, even with a first-time DUI charge, if the driver had a high or highest blood alcohol level, his or her license can be suspended for up to a year, and he or she could be facing jail time, alcohol abuse treatment, alcohol safety school, and fines.
Second DUI Offense
The penalties for a second DUI charge depend on the driver’s BAC level at the time of the arrest. When the driver’s BAC is between .08 and .099 percent, the penalties will include:
- Between five days and six months in jail
- A fine between $300 and $2,500
- Driver’s license suspension of up to 12 months
When the driver has a high BAC between .1 and .159 percent, he or she will face the following penalties:
- Between 30 days and six months in jail
- A fine between $750 and $5,000
- A driver’s license suspension of up to 12 months
When the driver has a BAC of .16 percent and above, he or she will face the following penalties:
- Between 90 days and five years in jail
- A fine of at least $1,500
- A driver’s license suspension of up to 18 months
In addition to these penalties, the court can require the driver to install an ignition interlock device, attend alcohol or drug treatment, and attend an alcohol highway safety school when necessary. With any DUI conviction, a driver will likely have increased driver’s insurance premiums.
Third DUI Offense
The penalties for a third DUI conviction are even more serious. When a driver has general BAC impairment, he or she will face:
- Between 10 days and two years in jail
- A fine between $500 and $5,000
- Up to 12 months driver’s license suspension
When a driver has a high BAC impairment, he or she will face:
- Between 90 days and five years in jail
- A fine between $1,500 and $10,000
- A driver’s license suspension of up to 18 months
When a driver has a highest BAC impairment, he or she will face:
- Between one and five years in jail
- A fine of at least $2,500
- A driver’s license suspension of up to 18 months
As with second DUI convictions, third DUI convictions can also require an ignition interlock device and further mandatory safety schools and alcohol treatment.
Fourth and Subsequent Convictions
If you have a fourth or subsequent DUI offense, the penalties will increase in severity. If it’s your fourth DUI offense and you have an impairment, you will face:
- Ten days to two years in jail
- One year license suspension
- $500 to $5,000 fine
For a fourth or more offense and a high BAC:
- One to five years in jail
- 18-month driver’s license suspension
- A fine of $1,500 to $10,000
For a fourth or more offense and a highest DUI:
- One to five years in prison
- 18-month driver’s license suspension
- A fine of $2,500 or more
The Benefits of Working With a Skilled Driving Under The Influence Attorney
When a driver has already been convicted of a DUI and is charged with another DUI within ten years, he or she is at risk of much harsher penalties. Working with an experienced attorney is important if you’ve been charged with a second or third DUI. Suppose you have a criminal history free of violent offenses. In that case, your attorney can advocate for you to attend a treatment program that can reduce your jail sentence.
An experienced DUI attorney may be able to challenge the prosecution’s evidence, leading to a dismissal of your charges or an advantageous plea deal. Depending on the facts of your case, your attorney may be able to use mitigating factors, such as you volunteering to go through a drug or alcohol treatment program, to drive to secure more advantageous sentencing on your behalf. When you begin working with Jones Gregg Creehan & Gerace, we will immediately defend you and develop your legal strategy.
Discuss Your Discrimination Case With a Pittsburgh Attorney Today
If you’re facing a multiple DUI charge in Pittsburgh, the skilled criminal defense attorneys at Jones Gregg Creehan & Gerace are here to help. We will help you understand your rights and work diligently to create a strong legal defense based on the unique facts of your case. One of our skilled criminal defense attorneys will be able to clearly explain all of your legal options to you so we can work together to seek the best outcome possible in your case. Contact us now for a consultation.