A Pennsylvania DUI / DAI arrest carries serious or even life-changing consequences, and requires expert legal help. Any motorist arrested for drunk driving, driving under the influence (DUI), driving while impaired (DWI) or the driving after imbibing (DAI) should consult with a skilled Pennsylvania attorney from 1.800.NOT.DRUNK and www.NotDrunk.com.

A Pennsylvania DUI / DAI arrest actually triggers two cases – a criminal court case, and an administrative case with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The court case carries numerous consequences, including jail, fines, mandatory alcohol education programs, and loss of driving privileges, and more. The PennDot case can result in the suspension of the driver’s license in a separate action.

Pennsylvania DUI / DAI law has a three-tiered system when it comes to punishing drinking and driving offenses. There is one punishment for those who drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 to .099 percent and another set of consequences for motorists convicted of driving with a BAC of .10 to .159 percent. The harshest punishment is reserved for those who drive with a BAC of .16 percent or greater.

Punishment for Pennsylvania DUI / DAI offenses is also determined by the number of prior drinking and driving convictions on the motorist’s record. Pennsylvania has a 10-year “washout” period for drunk driving offenses, meaning that if an arrest occurs more than 10 years after a prior offense, it will be treated as a first-time driving under the influence arrest.

Pennsylvania law permits jury trials on some drunk driving charges, but not on "ungraded misdemeanors." Therefore, only drivers facing a second offense with a BAC of .16 percent or greater, a second-offense with a chemical test refusal, or a third offense DUI or DAI have the right to a jury trial. All others will have their cases decided by a judge.

Pennsylvania DUI and driving after imbibing arrests also generate an administrative driver's license suspension of one year per conviction. This sanction is separate and apart from any consequences imposed by the court, and stems from PennDot’s enforcement of the state’s implied consent laws. Drivers who refuse a test of breath, blood, or urine to determine BAC face an additional one-year license suspension.

The repercussions of a Pennsylvania drunk driving arrest can be severe, but the charges can be effectively challenged with expert legal help. The skilled local attorneys of 1.800.NOT.DRUNK and www.NotDrunk.com will provide a free consultation and outline an aggressive defense strategy designed to protect the driver’s rights and minimize the consequences of a Pennsylvania DUI / DAI arrest.

DISCLAIMER: No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.