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First Time DUI in Pittsburgh & Pennsylvania
If you are reading this, you or someone you know has been charged with a first time DUI in Pittsburgh or Pennsylvania. For someone who is not experienced with the PA DUI laws, the threat and uncertainty of a drunk driving conviction is very frightening. You probably have more than a few questions going through your head. Some of the most common are:
- What is the jail time for DUI in Pennsylvania? There are several factors. The answer depends on your Blood Alcohol Level (BAC), whether you have any prior convictions for DUI in Pittsburgh or Pennsylvania, and whether you have any other criminal convictions. Depending on these circumstances, you may be facing mandatory jail time.
- How long will my Pennsylvania driver’s license be suspended? There are some circumstances under which a person convicted of DUI in Pittsburgh or Pennsylvania does not face a license suspension. However, if your license is in danger of suspension, the length will depend on the level of your BAC. Admission to the ARD program in Pittsburgh (or elsewhere in Pennsylvania) can mitigate the length of the suspension.
- Will my employer find out about my Pittsburgh DUI charge? Most of the time I tell people “No” (as long as you don’t tell them). However, there are certain professions / employment that require background checks or regular reporting (Doctors, Attorneys, Security Personnel, etc.) An in person meeting with an experienced Pittsburgh DUI Attorney is more helpful as this can be a complicated situation.
Contact me, Pittsburgh DUI Attorney Michael V. Worgul at (412) 475-9217 or 1-855-DUI-CRIM now to schedule a free consultation where I will answer these and many other questions you have.
I have my paperwork, what is the next step?
Initially, you will receive some paperwork from the courts (they should be sent regular and certified mail). These mailings will contain a copy of the Criminal Complaint specific to your case. It is very important that you show this to your attorney as soon as possible. The mailings will also give you notice of your fingerprint date and your preliminary hearing date. The preliminary hearing is the first of several court appearances you will be making over the next few months, but it is an important one. Your preliminary hearing can and will dictate the options available to you in your case. These options include trial, a negotiated plea, or an alternative resolution such as ARD.
How can we defend against this DUI charge?
For a first offence DUI in Pennsylvania or Pittsburgh, the police and DA have to prove that:
- You were driving a motor vehicle on a “highway” in Pennsylvania, and
- a) Your blood alcohol level was above a 0.08% or contained drugs within two hours of being stopped
or
b) you imbibed a sufficient amount of alcohol such that you were rendered incapable of safely driving, operating or being in actual physical control of the movement of the vehicle.
Of course, this is does not end the inquiry. There is a chance that the Police encounter with you was illegal or that they collected evidence in an illegal manner. If so, the evidence against you could be excluded through a legal procedure called [Suppression]. If the motion to suppress is granted by the judge, your case will be dismissed.
Are there any options other than trial?
Yes! It is very likely that you are “eligible” for Accelerated Rehabilitative Dispostition, or what we commonly call ARD. Admission into the ARD program can greatly reduce the punishment for DUI in Pennsylvania (and the DUI cost in Pittsburgh). Furthermore, your license suspension will be significantly diminished from the mandatory suspension required by law! Finally, successful completion of the program will result of the expungement (removal) of your Pennsylvania DUI record, as though it never happened.
Keep in mind, you are not automatically admitted to ARD for a first time DUI in Pittsburgh. Even the best DUI attorneys in Pittsburgh know that ARD must be offered by the District Attorney’s Office. Not every first time offender will be offered admission. As an experienced Pittsburgh DUI Attorney I will aggressively fight for your admission in to the program. However, if that cannot be accomplished, I am aware of many other strategies to avoid devastating jail time and license suspensions.
How much experience do you have with First Time DUI?
Being a Pennsylvania attorney for DUI, I have significant experience with First Time DUI in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and many other Pennsylvania counties. With a focus on thorough preparation, superior client service and dedicated representation, I help families and individuals solve a wide range of DUI and criminal litigation issues.
I will respond to your email submission as promptly as possible. I ask that you consider calling me, Pittsburgh DUI Attorney Michael V. Worgul, directly at 1-412-475-9217 or toll free at 1-855-DUI-CRIM for a free initial consultation to discuss your case. You will also find out how our practice can be put to work for you.
I look forward to listening to the circumstances of your case and discussing all available options under the law.
Sincerely,
Michael V. Worgul
Michael V. Worgul, Esq., LLC
429 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Toll Free: 1-855-DUI-CRIM
Phone: 412-475-9217
Fax: 412-288-8943
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