After the police arrest you for drunk driving in Pennsylvania, you may worry about the consequences you might face. What can happen to you after you get a DUI conviction on your record? An experienced defense lawyer can walk you through the process of facing DUI charges and explain the potential outcomes to help you make informed decisions about how to resolve your intoxicated driving prosecution.
The DUI Arrest Process
When the police arrest you for DUI, you can expect the officers to transport you to the police station and ask you to submit to a breathalyzer test to detect the presence and quantity of alcohol in your system, or transport you to the hospital for a blood test if the officers suspect you of drugged driving. Pennsylvania’s implied consent law deems you to have given consent to a breath or blood test. However, suppose you refuse a chemical test after a DUI arrest. In that case, you can face administrative sanctions that can include a suspension of your driver’s license, regardless of the outcome of any DUI charge.
After an arrest, the police will book you, take your fingerprints and photographs, and run a check for any active arrest warrants you may have. Afterwards, the police may release you from custody and issue you a citation to appear in court.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
DUI charges in Pennsylvania can vary depending on the number of prior DUI convictions you have and whether your case involves aggravating circumstances, such as having a high level of alcohol intoxication or causing an accident that resulted in injuries. For your DUI case, you may have a preliminary hearing or arraignment where the trial court will explain your charges to you, inform you of your basic rights, and ask you to enter a plea. If you plead not guilty, the court may hold one or more hearings before your trial.
First-time DUI offenders may gain admission to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, which requires individuals to complete the program’s requirements in exchange for dismissal of the DUI charge and avoiding a conviction and criminal sentence.
Potential Penalties and Consequences
Penalties for a DUI conviction in Pennsylvania will depend on the number of prior DUI convictions a person has and their level of intoxication. A first conviction with a BAC of 0.099 percent or less imposes the lightest penalties, including probation, fines, alcohol highway safety school, and an ignition interlock device requirement. Subsequent DUI convictions, a higher BAC level, or drug intoxication can add jail or prison time, a driver’s license suspension, and increase the fines and the ignition interlock requirement period.
Long-Term Effects
DUI convictions can have long-term consequences beyond jail time, fines, and license suspensions. For example, insurance companies may increase the auto insurance premiums for people convicted of DUI. DUI convictions can also jeopardize a person’s professional licensure or employment, particularly if their job requires driving. A DUI conviction in Pennsylvania also counts as a prior conviction in other states and vice versa. If you move to another state and commit a DUI again, you may face prosecution for a second DUI. Ultimately, a conviction will result in a criminal record that can appear in background checks and make it more challenging to pursue employment, educational, or housing opportunities due to the stigma associated with a criminal record.
Contact a DUI Defense Attorney Today
When you face a DUI charge, understanding the potential outcomes can help you decide how to face prosecution. Contact Andrew F. Skala, Esquire, today for a confidential consultation with a DUI defense attorney to learn more about what can happen after a DUI arrest or conviction in Pennsylvania.