There are many laws in Pennsylvania that pertain to DUIs. There are different penalties based on a driver’s blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, and whether it is the driver’s first DUI or if they have had prior DUIs. These penalties affect both the driver’s criminal record as well as their driver’s license. They can face fines and jail time and lose their driver’s license for a period of time. They also may be required to install ignition interlock in their vehicle and have to attend driving safety classes.
In addition to the rules about the penalties for the driver, there are also many rules that the police must follow when attempting to charge a driver with a DUI. Law enforcement officials must have a valid reason to pull the driver over in the first place. They must also properly administer the Breathalyzer tests and ensure that all of the machines are in proper working order. If the police did not have a valid reason to pull a driver over or do not administer the tests correctly, the results of the tests may be suppressed and a conviction may be unlikely.
Many people are charged with DUIs each year in Philadelphia. However, simply being charged does not mean a person is guilty. There may be defenses available. Our firm has handled many cases and we know the detrimental effects that DUIs cause drivers. For more information on how we handle these cases, please visit the DUI page on our law firm’s website.
