Getting a DUI is serious. For those who reside in PA, the amount of penalties if a person is convicted depends on both the BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level when they’re arrested and the number of times they have been convicted of a DUI in the past ten years. This means a person can face more severe penalties if they are convicted of their second offense or if they have a .16% BAC when they’re arrested than if it was their first offense with a BAC of 08%.
Potential Penalties
When a person is arrested for the first time, there is no minimum amount of jail time, $300 in fines, and an IID (Interlock Ignition Device) might be required if they refused to take a chemical test to determine their BAC level. For a third offense, they’re facing ten days in jail up to two days in jail, $500 to $5,000 in fines, the loss of their driving privileges for 12 months, and an IID being required as long as their license is restricted. These penalties can rise if their BAC is .10% or higher or if they caused an accident.
How Can the Charges be Dropped?
It’s important for a person to be very careful about what they say and refrain from saying anything that isn’t necessary, like their name or other identifying information. They should comply with the officer’s orders. Once they have been booked into the local jail, they should contact a Drunk Driving Lawyer in Pottstown PA immediately. The lawyer will be able to look into whether the arrest was legal, whether the BAC test gave correct results, or whether there is any other reason they might be able to have the evidence dismissed. If they can have the evidence against a person dismissed because it was unlawfully collected, the person may be able to have the charges dropped altogether.
The penalties for a DUI can be serious, even if it’s a person’s first arrest. They should comply with all orders and speak as little as possible until they can hire a Drunk Driving Lawyer in Pottstown PA. Then, the lawyer can work to help them have the charges dropped if possible. For more information on DUI penalties, having charges dropped or to hire a lawyer, visit.
