If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Pittsburgh, you’re facing possible jail time, a criminal record, and the suspension of your driving privileges. Pittsburgh prosecutors take DUI charges extremely seriously. If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving, refusing a breathalyzer test, or vehicular homicide in Pittsburgh, you need an experienced and effective DUI defense lawyer advocating for you.
Discuss Your Case With a Pittsburgh DUI Defense Lawyer
At Jones Gregg Creehan & Gerace, we have a proven track record of success in some of the most complex DUI cases throughout Pittsburgh. Our goal is to make sure our clients understand the charges they face and all of their legal options. Hiring an experienced Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer will make a significant difference in your case. We will advocate for your rights and help you build a strong defense. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.
The Penalties of a Conviction in Pittsburgh
The penalties for a DUI conviction in Pennsylvania depend on several factors. The defendant’s blood-alcohol level, age, prior convictions, and license status all factor into the severity of the penalties. Even a minimal DUI can lead to massive fines. Most police officers will try to combine as many charges as possible against a suspect upon arrest. If you’re convicted of drunk driving in Pennsylvania, or you’re arrested for refusing to take a breathalyzer test, you may face the following penalties:
- The suspension of your driver’s license for months or over a year
- A complete annulment of your driver’s license
- Time in jail
- Costly fines
- Court evaluation of your drug and alcohol use
- Mandatory alcohol education programs, such as ARD
- An inescapable criminal record
We Provide You With an Excellent DUI Defense
After your initial consultation, we will immediately begin working on your case. We will analyze your arrest and ensure that the officer who arrested you had reasonable suspicion to stop your vehicle. If the officer didn’t have reasonable suspicion, we will file a motion to suppress the evidence the officer gathered. As a result, the judge may dismiss your DUI charge. Some of the steps we provide include:
- Advocating on your behalf at hearings
- Submitting legal documents on your behalf
- Assisting you during the bail process
- Interviewing witnesses in your case
- Challenging each step of the DUI stop initiated by the police officer
- Challenging the DUI tests to which you were subjected
Hiring a law firm with attorneys who are well-versed in all of the options for your future is crucial. When you call us, we will determine the best way to challenge your Pittsburgh DUI charge. We won’t stop advocating for you until we’ve reached the best outcome possible in your case. If you’ve already been convicted of a DUI, we will take the time to explain whether you may be able to expunge the DUI from your record.
Common Defenses Against DUI Charges in Pittsburgh
Every DUI case is unique and requires a defense tailored to the facts of the case. However, some DUI defenses are commonly used. The first DUI defense involves challenging the stop and search of your vehicle. Police stops are governed by federal law put in place to safeguard your rights. The US Constitution protects us from unreasonable government searches and seizures. Accordingly, police officers are not allowed to stop your vehicle unless they have reasonable suspicion that you are driving under the influence.
You Were Not Driving on a Public Roadway
Another defense you may be able to make is that you are not driving on a public roadway. You cannot be convicted of a DUI in Pennsylvania unless you were driving a vehicle on a public roadway or in a location open to the public for vehicular traffic. If you’re driving on private property, prosecutors cannot charge you.
Insufficient Evidence That You Were Intoxicated
Your lawyer may argue that the prosecution doesn’t have enough evidence to prove you were driving while intoxicated. Police officers look for signs of intoxication, such as mumbled speech, glassy eyes, or alcohol on your breath. They would have intended to use what they observed to prove that they had probable cause to arrest you. However, suppose they made you take a field sobriety test and didn’t find any concrete sign that you were intoxicated, or they made a mistake about your bloodshot eyes when you had allergies. In that case, your lawyer can challenge the cause for the arrest.
The BAC Test Results Were Unreliable
Similarly, if there was a flaw in the way the test was administered, your Pittsburgh DUI defense lawyer can argue that the judge should dismiss the results. Many police officers use breath, blood, and urine tests to determine whether a suspect’s blood alcohol concentration is above the legal limit. They rely on equipment to accurately measure a suspect’s blood alcohol content. When a police officer doesn’t have enough training to use the equipment or it is malfunctioning, the results may be inadmissible in court. Similarly, if there was a flaw in the way the test was administered, your lawyer can petition the court to dismiss the results.
Negotiating The Best Outcome in Your Case
At Jones Gregg Creehan Gerace, our Pittsburgh DUI defense lawyers are skilled at negotiating alternatives to jail. We have a proven track record of negotiating a dismissal or reduction in our clients’ charges. Depending on the facts in your case, you may be able to take advantage of work release, home detention with monitoring bracelets, and Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD).
Call Our Pittsburgh DUI Defense Attorneys Today
When you’re facing DUI charges in Pittsburgh, the lawyers at Jones Gregg Creehan & Gerace are here to protect your rights. We will carefully review all of the evidence in your case and help you build the most robust defense possible under Pennsylvania law. Our experienced criminal defense lawyers will advocate tirelessly for the best possible outcome in your case. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.