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Archive for the ‘Costs of a DUI’ Category
Thursday, May 17th, 2012
Three letters can instantly change an individual’s life in an instant for years to come: DUI. When an individual is charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol, or other drugs whether they are prescription medications, or illegal substances they face many hurdles and consequences that last now, and later. However, many individuals have different thoughts, and ideas when it comes down to drinking and driving, which inevitably ends up with more individuals being charged, and later convicted of a DUI. So, when is it okay for an individual to be on the roadways with alcohol in their bodies?
The Facts of Drinking
When you drink alcohol, or anything for that matter it gets absorbed in your body. Your body works sort of like a sponge. When you drink or eat something you absorb that substance in your organs and parts of the body. Later, your body secretes these using the excretory system. However, the time period that the alcohol is actually in your body can last for hours, even simply from one drink. So when you have a drink at 6 p.m. it is likely that at 8 p.m. when you think you are completely sober and get behind the wheel of your car that there are still traces of alcohol within your body.
Truths of Driving While Intoxicated
While the legal limit for an individual is a blood alcohol content, or BAC, number of .08 individuals can still easily face charges and consequences with a BAC score of just .01. Recently, a study has been done that shows that drivers who have just one single drink are statistically more likely to have an accident than a completely sober driver. Drivers who have just a small amount of alcohol are more likely to do the following that easily contributes to an accident:
- Speed
- Ignore traffic signals
- Swerve in and out of lanes
- Follow closely behind other motorists
- Pay attention to other aspects of their vehicle other than actually driving
- Not show proper traffic behavior and etiquette
Whether you have had one drink, or many, drinking and driving simply does not go together. When you get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle make sure that safety is your prime concern when driving. However, we are only humans so mistakes are natural. When you have had a DUI incident, or been falsely accused make sure to contact an experienced attorney today.
When you have been charged with a criminal offense, you want an experienced defense lawyer protecting your rights every step of the way. I am attorney Michael V. Worgul, and from my offices in Pittsburgh, I have dedicated my entire career to criminal defense. Having handled over 1,000 cases, I know what to expect in court and I am not afraid of a challenge. To start your case call 1-855-DUI-CRIM today!
Tags: Pittsburgh DUI Attorney
Posted in Costs of a DUI, DUI | Comments Off
Friday, May 4th, 2012
Driving under the influence is a common crime within the United States today. Whether you are in a small community, or large urban area DUI offenders are all around. Drinking and driving not only contributes to many accidents and injuries each and every year, but also takes the lives of many as well. Driving under the influence of alcohol, prescription medications, or any other substance that causes the driver to be under the influence is a crime in all 50 states, which is punishable by the law. However, do you actually understand what a DUI is and everything that comes with it?
The Facts of A DUI
A DUI charge, and later conviction can happen in an instant. However, the majority of drivers that actually come face to face with the law and this crime are individuals who have had very little to drink. Of course, you will from time to time see individuals well over the legal BAC, or blood alcohol content, of the legal limit, which is set at .08 virtually nation-wide. Ultimately, individuals who have a drink or two and believe that they are sober enough to get from one point to another without having any issues. This ideology is what usually results in accidents, and arrests each and every day. When a driver is under the influence of alcohol, or other substances some driving patterns include, but are not limited to:
- Swerving from lane to lane
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Tailgating other drivers
- Random abrupt stops
- Speeding
- Failure to signal properly
The Consequences
When you are charged and later convicted of a DUI your life can change in the blink of an eye. Most of the time your consequences are very situationally and deal with factors such as if you’re a prior DUI offender, what your blood alcohol content score was, and if an accident, or damage was a result. Some consequences include, but are not limited to:
- Expensive fines
- License suspension
- Jail time
- DUI school required participation
- Probation
- Required to install an ignition interlock device
- Employment termination
- Lose of child custody
Make sure when you are charged, or convicted of a DUI that you fight for your rights and your options. To do so, you need an experienced DUI attorney at your side every step of the way.
When you have been charged with a criminal offense, you want an experienced defense lawyer protecting your rights every step of the way. I am attorney Michael V. Worgul, and from my offices in Pittsburgh, I have dedicated my entire career to criminal defense. Having handled over 1,000 cases, I know what to expect in court and I am not afraid of a challenge. To start your case call 1-855-DUI-CRIM today!
Tags: DUI lawyer in Pittsburgh
Posted in Costs of a DUI, DUI | Comments Off
Friday, March 9th, 2012
Today, individuals are constantly busy whether they are working, running errands, picking up children, or just picking up necessities from the grocery store. Either way people are just trying to get from one day to the next as smoothly as possible. However, we all know that mistakes and incidents are bound to happen whether they are small or large. However, as we all know life does not always turn out as we might expect it to as each and everyday comes into our hands. When you drink and drive you are ultimately not impacting your day now, but all of your days in the future.
With so many things happening in the world around us today such as an economic recession, war, and simply just having to pay the bills on time. Yet, individuals do get to kick back every once in a while and relax. Sports are an active part of the life of an American whether it is basketball, baseball, football, or others. Individuals everywhere flock to these events to either show support for an individual or team, or simply to have a good time.
At most sporting events alcoholic beverages such as beer can be purchased and served. No one assumes that when you go to watch a team play you will also be getting drunk, but it happens more often than not. After the game is over and you have had a few beers while enjoying the game you get in your car and happily head home or to your hotel. Yet, more and more cases are coming to let that show individuals leaving sporting events and receiving DUI charges as a result of this occurring.
It is certainly all right to have a good time, but when you drink and drive all the fun can be spoiled instantly. Whether you know it or not when you gain a DUI charge it changes your life and limits your possibilities greatly. When you are enjoying your time at a sporting event and have even the slightest bit to drink take it upon yourself to be responsible and safe and rely on a designated driver.
When you have a DUI charge or conviction whether you are at fault or are falsely accused you need an experienced, dedicated DUI attorney by your side to fight for you and your rights.
When you have been charged with a criminal offense, you want an experienced defense lawyer protecting your rights every step of the way. I am attorney Michael V. Worgul, and from my offices in Pittsburgh, I have dedicated my entire career to criminal defense. Having handled over 1,000 cases, I know what to expect in court and I am not afraid of a challenge. To start your case call 1-855-DUI-CRIM today!
Tags: DUI lawyer in Pittsburgh
Posted in Costs of a DUI, DUI | Comments Off
Sunday, September 25th, 2011
If a person is convicted of driving under the influence, the punishment inflicted on them by the law, and their self-guilt is a high price in itself to pay. If convicted of driving under the influence, a person is likely to lose their job, credibility, and license for a year. All of these punishments will make life extremely difficult for a person who has been convicted of driving under the influence because losing a job will make it that much harder to find another one, and if their license is taken away, they have no means of getting to work for one year, which will also cost them their job–not to mention a driving under the influence charge irreparably damages their permanent record. So, needless to say there are great consequences for driving under the influence; but apparently in some places that punishment is not enough, and the need is felt to go a step further.
Law makers in Oklahoma have passed an act in their state senate which requires driving under the influence offenders to have the term: “DUI Conviction” printed on their driver’s license. This is a very intense form of public humiliation for anyone, and the question of its fairness is highly debatable. Printing that term on the license of every driving under the influence offender will subject to public humiliation wherever they go; whether that be having to present their license at the movies, certain stores, etc; having to show someone a license with the term: “DUI Conviction” will automatically make that person pass critical judgment on the citizen who bares the license, and that is just unfair. It is especially unfair to those who are truly sorry for driving while under the influence of alcohol, and also those who were wrongly accused of drunk driving, but were still convicted. Inevitably, not only will Pennsylvania be on the way, but so will all other states.
Furthermore, why should a driving under the influence felony be the only offense to be printed on a license? Why shouldn’t capital murderers have their offense printed on their licenses, as well as rapists, thieves, and drug dealers? Why should driving under the influence offenders be the only ones who have to divulge their offense to every establishment or person who asks them to present their license? This law is the result of harsh driving under the influence laws due to certain groups wanting to completely eradicate drunk driving; not because of what data and statistics have proven to be true.
This fact is a vital reason that you should seek out a knowledgeable and experienced driving under the influence attorney if you are charged with a DUI to help protect you from penalties that require you to be publicly humiliated.
Tags: Pittsburgh DUI law firm
Posted in Costs of a DUI, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Friday, March 25th, 2011
A DUI arrest can lead to a driver’s license suspension and increased insurance costs. The average Pennsylvania motorist, however, should be aware of other financial consequences that can adversely affect their life.
A DUI arrest triggers separate criminal and civil proceedings. The criminal proceeding is confined to the actual arrest, which includes criminal penalties such as possible incarceration, probation and its attendant conditions, fines, and alcohol rehab classes. The civil, or administrative proceeding, takes place with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which has the power to suspend anyone’s license for an alcohol-related driving offense. Both matters can be defended by an attorney who may charge you not only two separate fees, but also an expert’s fee if you decide to challenge your arrest and/or suspension before a judge or jury.
Legal costs for first-time offenders can easily reach $5000 or more. If you caused an accident that resulted in any kind of injury to someone else, the state can increase your sentence. The seriousness of this will usually result in much higher legal fees.
The length of your license suspension and amount of your fine depends upon whether this is your first offense and the level of your blood alcohol concentration. For a first offender, your fine can be $300 if your blood alcohol level is at .09 percent. If it is between 0.10 and 0.159, your fine will be a minimum of $500 and up to $5000. At a blood alcohol level of 0.16, your fine increases from a minimum of $1000 up to $5000.
License suspensions become mandatory when a first offender’s blood alcohol is at least .10, which results in a 12-month suspension. You can request a limited occupational license to drive to and from work after 60 days. Otherwise, you will have to be driven by someone else or take some kind of alternative transportation.
Should your blood alcohol level be at least 0.16 percent, a Pennsylvania court may order that an ignition interlock device be installed in your vehicle. This requires that the motorist blow into a device to test their blood level and the vehicle will not start if alcohol is detected at a pre-determined or programmed level. You are responsible for the cost of the device, which is typically about $1,000 per year.
Your insurance company may drop you after a conviction, and you will be forced to obtain a “shared pool of risk” insurance if you want to drive, which is very expensive and can last for years.
Other insurance may become more costly or become unavailable. A life insurer can void your policy or greatly increase it. Your policy may require that you advise them of a DUI conviction so failure to do so can result in their voiding it.
Many people find their employment status at risk after a DUI. If you drive for a living, the terms of your employment may result in your termination upon a DUI conviction or license suspension.
A DUI that involved injuries to someone may result in the victim filing a personal injury claim against the offender’s insurance. If the insurance is inadequate or nonexistent, the offender may be subject to a civil judgment for medical costs, wage losses, property damage, and pain and suffering. Pennsylvania bankruptcy law does not allow a civil judgment as a result of a DUI to be dischargeable in bankruptcy. Even if you are unable to pay the judgment, the victim can continue to renew the judgment before it expires and pursue collection against you for years.
Finally, time in court can lead to lost time from work, but being incarcerated inevitably leads to loss of employment. Because the consequences of a night of drinking can be so traumatic, anyone arrested for a DUI should immediately consult with an experienced DUI attorney in Pittsburgh.
With a focus on thorough preparation, superior client service and dedicated representation, I help families and individuals solve a wide range of DUI litigation issues.
I will respond to your email submission as promptly as possible. I ask that you consider calling me 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
Tags: DUI Attorney in Pittsburgh, Financial Consequences of a DUI in Pennsylvania
Posted in Costs of a DUI | Comments Off
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