Archive for the ‘Second & Subsequent DUI’ Category

Pittsburgh DUI Lawyer – Ignition Interlock for Second Time DUI in Pittsburgh

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

If you have been charged with a second time or third time DUI in Pittsburgh or Pennsylvania you are not only facing mandatory DUI jail time and licenses suspensions.  A drunk driving conviction in Pittsburgh (except for first DUI in Pennsylvania) will automatically mandate the installation of Ignition Interlock on any vehicle you own following the restoration of your license.  Even the best DUI attorney in Pittsburgh knows that Ignition Interlock is not a criminal, but a civil penalty enforced by PennDOT.  Therefore, if you are charged with DUI in Pittsburgh or Pennsylvania, it is important to speak with an experienced Pittsburgh DUI Lawyer as soon as possible.

At its simplest, an ignition interlock system is a breath testing device that is connected to a vehicle’s electrical system.  It will prevent the vehicle from being started unless and until the operator provides a breath sample with an alcohol concentration less than 0.025% (usually).  Pennsylvania dui lawyers should know that while the system requires a breath sample to start the vehicle, it can also be set to require several follow up samples for longer car trips.  In situations where the device detects too much alcohol in a driver’s system, the device will shut down for a prescribed period of time.  Experienced Pittsburgh and PA DUI Attorneys should be aware of the interlock device recording information that will be provided to your probation officer.

Contact Pittsburgh DUI Lawyer Michael V. Worgul, now at (412) 475-9217 or 1-855-DUI-CRIM for a free initial consultation.

Typically, you will not be eligible for an unrestricted license until you have completed one year of Ignition Interlock.  The DUI cost in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania comes in to sharp focus when you consider that Ignition Interlock can run between $900 – $1200 per year per car.  However, PA dui laws recognize that this regulation can impose an undue cost on some households and employers.  For this reason, there are economic and employment hardship exceptions.  These exceptions are complicated and the help of a qualified Pittsburgh DUI Lawyer is recommended.

Finally, an Allegheny County DUI lawyer will tell you that violating the restrictions of an Ignition Interlock license can result in harsh penalties.  If you have been ordered to use Ignition Interlock and drive without the device, you will be facing a mandatory penalty of 90 days imprisonment and a fine between $300 – $900.  In addition, your license will be suspended for an additional year.

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 Lawyer 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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Pittsburgh DUI Attorney – Second and Third Time DUI

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

A first time Allegheny DUI is a very stressful and nerve racking experience.  Luckily, if you have no prior criminal history, you will probably receive ARD, participate in a DUI class in Pittsburgh, and have your Pennsylvania DUI record erased.  For second time DUI and subsequent charges for DUI in Pennsylvania the stress level increase is exponential.  A Pittsburgh DUI Attorney knows that you will be facing mandatory jail time and increased license suspensions under the PA DUI laws.  Therefore, it is very important that you seek out one of these experienced Pittsburgh DUI Attorneys before the preliminary hearing.

If you are reading this article, you may believe that you are being charged with a second time DUI in Pittsburgh or Pennsylvania.  However, even if this is your second or third DUI in time, legally, it may only be a first.  The Best DUI Attorneys in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania know that, under Pa DUI Laws, there is a ten-year look back period in determining subsequent offenses.  In other words, if you have previous DUIs in your past, but the plea or conviction for the DUIs were more than 10 years prior to the current charge, they will not count as prior offenses.  In addition, if your are charged with a DUI offense and receive another DUI charge, under the current laws, both DUI charges will count as the same offense.  These determinations can be very complicated, but qualified PA DUI Attorneys understand and know how to apply these laws.

Call Pittsburgh DUI Attorney Michael V. Worgul now at (412) 475-9217 or 1-855-DUI-CRIM to schedule a consultation.

As you may or may not know, the penalties for DUI in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania increase for second and subsequent offenses.  Regardless of the blood alcohol level, there are mandatory jail sentences for second and third DUI offenses (See my article on Pennsylvania DUI Penalties, Fines & Sentencing for the exact jail sentences and other drunk driving facts)  A jail sentence can be devastating to a person’s employment, reputation, and familial life.

Therefore, you need an aggressive Pittsburgh DUI Attorney with trial experience who can either win, or work out an alternative arrangement to jail.  Most PA Attorneys are not experienced Pennsylvania DUI Attorneys.  I am.  Like the best DUI Attorneys in Pittsburgh, I have handled cases similar to yours.  I have taken DUI cases to trial and won.   I have also negotiated many satisfactory plea agreements for my clients.

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, 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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