Helping You Mitigate or Eliminate the DUI Charges Against You
If you have been charged with drunk driving in Pennsylvania, you will want to know what options you have for protecting yourself against jail time, a criminal record and the loss of your driver's license. Your best chance for understanding what will happen from a DUI arrest is talking to an experienced DUI/DWI defense attorney as soon as possible after your drunken driving charge.
In Pennsylvania, most people accused of a DUI are released after initial processing and their charges mailed to them later. This is known as being charged by summons, but it is a criminal DUI charge no less. You should consider calling an experienced DUI lawyer even before your papers come. We can explain your rights to you — something the police most likely did not do!
At Joyce & Bittner, our experienced criminal defense lawyers personally handle each case. At our offices in the Grant Building in downtown Pittsburgh, each attorney has more than 25 years of experience. The attorneys in the firm have prior government experience as prosecutors and as attorneys handling police misconduct matters. This experience can be put to use for you in handling your DUI case, including efforts in seeking the dismissal or mitigation of the charges against you. We can help you understand what to do after being charged with a DUI/DWI in Pennsylvania.
Call 412-567-1229 or toll free at 866-471-9566 or contact our Pittsburgh law firm online to schedule your free consultation during which we will discuss your DUI charges and your defense options.
What can be done for someone charged with a DUI or DWI offense in Pennsylvania?
The options you have when faced with drunk driving charges depend upon the particular facts of your case and your background and circumstances such as:
- Do you have a prior criminal history?
- Do you have any prior DUI's, especially in the last 10 years?
- Do you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL)?
- What was your alcohol level?
- Was there an accident and if so was anyone injured in the accident?
- Was there anyone in the car with you - and if so, anyone under the age of 14?
- Was the car running at anytime the police were present, and if not, where was the car parked and where the keys in the ignition?
- Did you make any statements to the police or anyone else?
The answers to these questions and other information gathered by attorneys who know the law of DUI will provide the keys to how your case should best be handled.
Penalties for First Offenders and Repeat Offenders
In general, first offenders often can avoid jail time and a criminal record by participating in a pretrial diversion program known as ARD (accelerated rehabilitative disposition). For individuals facing a second or subsequent DUI charge, enhanced penalties are the biggest concern.
Penalties for a repeat offense with high alcohol levels can be severe. A third offense within the 10-year look-back period and with an alcohol level above .159 carries a mandatory minimum period of incarceration of one year. In these situations, we work with the client to resolve a strategy to either fight the charges or work toward minimizing the impact of a guilty plea and seeking the most favorable sentencing options.
Choosing a DUI Defense Lawyer
When you are looking for the right DUI defense lawyer, there are certain qualities and information you should consider:
- The attorney's years of practice
- The attorney's experience handling DUI cases
- Whether the attorney has prior prosecution experience — a big help in now defending cases
- The attorney's ability to provide you with direct, personalized attention
- The attorney's willingness to provide new clients with free consultations
- The fees the attorney charges and what costs the attorney covers
Learn more by reading about our firm's history and approach and our attorney's experience.
Contact Our Pittsburgh Drunk Driving Defense Lawyers
For strong defense against your DUI/DWI charges in Pennsylvania, contact an attorney at our Pittsburgh law firm today. We offer free initial consultations to all new clients.
