Archive for the ‘Pennsylvania First Time DUI Penalties’ Category

Spring Break: Sun, Sand, and DUI Charges

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

Something many individuals are familiar with are the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, and also with what each has in store for us either generally or personally. We might forget a few special occasions from time to time that occur within them, but one thing that we do not forget is that of holidays and the time that we are able to “sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.” However, when it comes down to the fun in your holidays, especially that of consuming alcohol how much fun can you really have before it has gone too far?

Spring break is a holiday that many students, and parents are very familiar with. It is a time right before the end of school to motivate students to push hard, and diligently till the end in order to finish strong with their grades and work. Spring break is supposed to be positive and encouraging in a sense of relaxation and revitalization. Yet, it is encouraging many other things than that.

While on spring break many students are encouraged to participate in underage drinking, which turns into underage individuals consuming alcohol at a dangerously high level. In 2010, a study was done that showed that the majority of students that participated in underage drinking and consumption during that spring break either binge drank and become ill from it, or had severe illnesses from alcohol and had to seek hospitalization for fluids.

More and more instances also show that students on spring break are more likely to show reckless behavior, which includes that of driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. Yet, students do not seem to grasp that fun is good in moderation, and when it goes past the limits it can impact your present and future. When you gain a DUI charge, and later a conviction, you can easily be kicked out of an educational institution, experience employment loss, and future unemployment.

Make sure that when you or a loved one experiences a DUI either from being falsely accused, or as a result from a poor decision that you consult an experienced attorney in order to help fight for your rights like one should.

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!

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New Allegheny County Program Has First Time DUI Sentences Being Served in Hotels

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

If you are arrested for DUI in Allegheny County, you may soon be serving your DUI sentence in a hotel.  The new program for first-time DUI offenders is designed to replace electronic ankle monitoring.  The reason for the shift is the cost associated with ankle monitoring programs.  While ankle bracelets are designed to be an alternative to incarceration, the program is fairly expensive.  County officials indicate that the ankle monitoring program is very expensive costing Allegheny County about two million dollars per year.  Allegheny County DUI attorney Michael V. Worgul represents those charged with criminal offenses and DUI in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania.  While our law firm will carefully investigate and try to have DUI charges dismissed or to obtain an acquittal at trial, we seek alternative sentencing, diversion or other ways to ease the consequences of a DUI conviction on our clients when dismissal or acquittal is not realistic.

This new program offers another way to avoid incarceration and is much less intrusive than continually wearing an ankle monitoring device.  Unfortunately, DUI charges are very serious and expensive.  This new program will only increase the steep costs associated with DUI charges.  The proposed program would involve a person paying $500 and spending four days in a hotel.  This expedited program offers another alternative sentencing option that is not cheap but also avoids jail time as well as the inconvenience of having to wear an ankle monitoring bracelet for a longer period of time.

“The program goes Thursday through Sunday. The entire program is designed that they are busy the whole time. They complete alcohol evaluations, they do their mandatory DUI school mandated by PennDOT and they do their treatment that they have to do,” said Tom McCaffrey, director of adult probation for Allegheny County.   “I think it’s going to be a good thing for the court, I think it will be a good thing for the jail, and it will be a good thing for the taxpayers,” said McCaffrey.

This program may provide a convenient alternative for many facing jail time for a first time DUI conviction in Pittsburgh or elsewhere throughout Allegheny County.  Our experienced DUI attorney’s aggressively defend our clients to seek the potentially serious consequences of a Pennsylvania DUI conviction.  While both the immediate sentence and long-term consequences of a DUI conviction in Pennsylvania can be significant, Michael V. Worgul will carefully investigate the circumstance of your case and zealously defend you against the charges.

If you have been charged with a serious Pennsylvania DUI offense, the Michael V. Worgul has the experienced and knowledge to advise you of your rights and help you protect your future so call us today at 412-475-9217.

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