Driving under the influence can lead to serious penalties, not only in the form of fees for tickets and legal representation but also consequences like license suspension. No matter what’s happened, however, you are entitled to a compassionate legal defense to help minimize the financial, social, and legal repercussions of your arrest. The best thing you can do for yourself after a DUI charge is to hire DUI lawyers to provide you with comprehensive legal representation.

Work With the Best DUI Lawyers in Colonial Park PA

So why hire a lawyer instead of just taking care of your own tickets or legal processes? While you certainly can represent yourself in these cases, the fact of the matter is that you will have better results if you hire an experienced legal team that can guide you through the ins and outs and the legal ramifications of a DUI charge.

Hiring the best DUI lawyers is an investment in your future. It might not seem like a serious charge for first-time offenders, but additional DUI charges can lead to stiffer penalties, including incarceration, higher bail, and other penalties that can be difficult to recover from. The best lawyers can reduce your charges or even get them dropped completely, so it’s worth the investment to get your life back in order after a charge.

How Can You Find a Good DUI Lawyer?

Finding a good lawyer is your top priority after you have been arrested or charged. In general, it’s ideal to hire local lawyers who specialize in DUI charges. Experienced lawyers have won cases related to intoxicated driving and will be able to provide you with a plan for your legal defense. Some ways you can find a good lawyer for your DUI charge include:

• Client testimony and reviews
• Consultation offers
• Open communication
• Compassionate attitude about your case
• Comprehensive plan for your defense

While it may seem daunting to pay for quality legal representation, it’s important to remember that lengthy court cases will cost more in the long run than a good lawyer who may be able to speed your case up or secure a plea bargain. Paying for good legal representation now can save you time, money, and social stigma in the long run.

What Are DUI Penalties Like?

Penalties for DUI charges vary state to state based on local legislation. In Pennsylvania, the penalties for a DUI will differ depending on the number of prior offenses, the amount of intoxication, and any injuries associated with the DUI charge. Generally speaking, you can expect your penalties to include both monetary fines and mandatory license suspension, while more serious charges may mandate drug and alcohol counseling and other consequences that will impact your daily life.

First-Time Offenses

Everyone makes mistakes, so it’s common for first-time offenses to be relatively laxer than repeat offenders. That said, the possible penalties that can be involved in your first-time DUI charge are relative to the amount of intoxication recorded at the time of your arrest. First-time offenders with a BAC of .08 to .099% will have a maximum $300 fine, probation, and mandatory highway safety school and substance counseling.

Offenders with a BAC of .10 to .159% will have fines between $500 and $5,000, as well as up to six months in jail, one-year license suspension, and a mandatory ignition interlock installed on their vehicle. For higher intoxication, the minimum fine increases to $1,000 to $5,000 and will include license suspension, highway safety school, substance counseling, and ignition interlock.

Additional Offenses

The penalties for second DUI offenses are similar to the penalties for first-time offenders with high intoxication levels. A second-time offender may have a fine of $300 to $2,500, up to six months in jail, substance counseling, and highway safety school. Second and third-time offenders with especially high intoxication can face up to five years in jail and higher fines, along with other court-mandated penalties, like increased license suspension of up to 18-months after jail time.

Misdemeanor DUI vs Aggravated DUI

All criminal charges have different levels of severity. The lowest level for intoxicated driving is a misdemeanor, which is typically the charge given to first-time offenders.

An aggravated DUI, on the other hand, occurs when there are additional circumstances that will increase the severity of your charge. For example, if your intoxicated driving resulted in an accident or someone was injured, you will likely be charged with an aggravated DUI. Other circumstances that can elevate your DUI to an aggravated charge include:

• Driving with a suspended license
• Driving with a minor in the vehicle
• Repeated DUI offenses
• Intoxication higher than .15%

How Can DUI Lawyers Help?

It might not seem like it, but you will have several options for your legal defense after a DUI charge. For example, your lawyer may be able to challenge the validity of the BAC testing done at the time of your arrest, which can lower the severity of your penalties. Some evidence, such as the reason why you were pulled over or process violations, can also be used to help you avoid stiffer penalties.

Protocol Breaches

It’s possible that your arresting officer or the police involved in processing your arrest made errors that would compromise the validity of your arrest. Violating Miranda rights, improperly filing paperwork, or evidence that you were pulled over for reasons other than traffic violations are all breaches in ordinary protocol that can be used to question your charges. If your rights were violated during your arrest, then your arrest may be invalid and your charges may be dismissed.

BAC Results

A blood draw is used to measure your level of intoxication at the time of your arrest. While this may seem like an iron-clad way to determine how much alcohol has been consumed before driving, an experienced lawyer will be able to find evidence that will question the validity of these measurements.

Why Is Legal Advice Important?

Aside from helping you reduce or dismiss your charges, good legal advice from DUI lawyers can make a huge difference in your immediate future. Not only can good legal representation help you avoid jail time, but it may also save you from a financial crisis, allow you to remain gainfully employed, and lessen the negative social impact on your reputation. Additionally, avoiding a DUI conviction can also prevent charges from being recorded on your record, which will make it easier to pass background checks for applications, including housing and employment.

Whether or not you are a first-time offender for intoxicated driving, it’s essential to have good legal representation. From reducing your charges to protecting your reputation, only the best lawyers can prevent your DUI from derailing your life. Get the help you need from the best DUI lawyers in Colonial Park PA by contacting Jameson Stone Law today.