Pittsburgh DUI Attorney
DUI – First Time Offense
Being arrested and charged with a DUI is a stressful, often overwhelming experience. This is especially true if it is your first offense. You are most probably wondering what will happen – will you lose your license, go to jail, be faced with heavy fines? How will this affect your job, your personal relationships, and your future? At such a difficult time in your life, you need the assistance and support of a skilled and knowledgeable Pittsburgh DUI defense lawyer who knows how such cases are processed, who knows the local court systems, and who knows how to investigate and defend DUI. We strongly recommend that you contact our firm to arrange a consultation with a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer as soon as possible. Our firm has the legal experience, skills, and resources to fully represent you.
The 3-Tiered DUI System in Pennsylvania
The consequences you face for a first time DUI will depend on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as measured on a chemical test. You will be charged with a misdemeanor. The penalties you face will depend on your BAC. On a first offense DUI with a BAC between .08 which is the legal limit and .099, you face a $300 fine, up to 6 months of probation, mandatory attendance at an Alcohol Highway Safety program, and compliance with drug and alcohol treatment programs.
If your BAC was between .1 and .159 or if you were involved in an accident which resulted in bodily injury, property damage, or a fatality, you face a jail term of 48 hours up to 6 months, fines between $500 and $5000, the loss of your license for one year, Alcohol Highway Safety School, and a full drug and alcohol assessment. For a BAC over .159, the fines may be increased to $1,000 up to $5,000 and the jail term starts at a minimum mandatory of 72 hours. Because of the severity of the penalties you face, it is to your advantage to have our Pittsburgh DUI attorney handling your case immediately. Our firm will work zealously on your behalf to bring about the most favorable outcome possible. Contact the Pittsburgh criminal lawyer at the firm if you are facing a first time DUI offense in Pittsburgh or the surrounding areas today.