Pennsylvania DUI Penalties Attorney | Harrisburg PA DWI Defense Suspension Probation Lawyer

Why You Need an Experienced Attorney

Potential Penalties for a DUI Conviction

In Pennsylvania, it is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.

The DUI (DWI) defense lawyers of the Law Offices of Patrick F. Lauer, Jr. work hard to avoid a conviction and its consequences. Contact us to discuss your case in the Harrisburg area or anywhere in Pennsylvania.

There are two ways to be found guilty of a DUI: (A) A per se DUI means that your blood alcohol content, or BAC, was measured at .08 percent or greater. No other evidence is required. (B) You can be convicted if you are judged incapable of driving safely based on an officer's observations and other evidence. This charge does not require a specific BAC.

Penalties for a per se DUI depend on prior convictions and which of three tiers you are charged under:

General Impairment — BAC of .08 to .099
High BAC — BAC of .10 to .159
Highest BAC — BAC of .16 or greater

General Impairment Penalties (Undetermined BAC, or BAC of .08 to 0.99)

No prior DUI offenses:	Ungraded misdemeanor Up to six months probation $300 fine Alcohol highway safety school Treatment when ordered
One prior DUI:	Ungraded misdemeanor 12-month license suspension Five days to six months jail time $300 to $2,500 fine Alcohol highway safety school Treatment when ordered One year ignition interlock
Two or more prior DUIs:	2nd degree misdemeanor 12-month license suspension 10 days in jail to two years prison $500 to $5,000 fine Treatment when ordered One year ignition interlock

High BAC Penalties (.10 to .159% BAC)

No prior DUI offenses:	Ungraded misdemeanor 12-month license suspension 48 hours to 6 months prison $500 to $5,000 fine Alcohol highway safety school Treatment when ordered
One prior DUI:	Ungraded misdemeanor 12-month suspension 30 days to 6 months prison $750 to $5,000 fine Alcohol highway safety school Treatment when ordered One-year ignition interlock
Two or more prior DUIs:	1st degree misdemeanor 18-month license suspension 90 days to 5 years prison $1,500 to $10,000 fine Treatment when ordered One year ignition interlock
Three or more prior DUIs:	1st degree misdemeanor 18-month license suspension 1 to 5 years prison $1,500 to $10,000 fine Treatment when ordered One year ignition interlock

Highest BAC Penalties (.16 and higher, or controlled substance)

No prior DUI offenses:	Ungraded misdemeanor 12-month license suspension 72 hours to 6 months prison $1,000 to $5,000 fine Alcohol highway safety school Treatment when ordered
One prior DUI:	1st degree misdemeanor 18-month license suspension 90 days to 5 years prison $1,500 to $10,00 fine Alcohol highway safety school Treatment when ordered One-year ignition interlock
Two or more prior DUIs:	1st degree misdemeanor 18-month license suspension 1 to 5 years prison $2,500 to $10,000 Treatment when ordered One-year ignition interlock

Sophisticated Representation for Serious Charges

A Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Patrick Lauer and his associate have 23 years of experience in DUI defense — literally thousands of drunk driving cases. They aim to get charges dismissed by challenging the evidence or reduced through negotiations with the prosecutor, or to get first-time offenders into an ARD program to avoid jail, license suspension and other DUI penalties.

Call us toll free, day or night, at 866-794-0873, or contact us online. We offer a free initial consultation.