In Pennsylvania, driving under the influence is considered a serious offense, but not every case is handled in the same way. Drivers who have a clean record might be able to avoid jail time. If you’ve been convicted, the best course of action is to contact a DUI lawyer local to Harrisburg, PA. With the help of a professional, you can either get your case dismissed or the penalties reduced. Let’s have a look at what consequences you can expect for a first-time DUI.

What Are the Consequences of a First-Time DUI Conviction?

There are several factors that influence what penalty you might incur for your DUI conviction. One of the most important is whether this is your first time being caught while driving under the influence or whether you are a repeat offender. Although you might only receive a fine if you’ve never had a DUI before, this is not guaranteed, and you could go to jail if the judge decides that you endangered someone else’s life.

In addition to your previous record, your blood alcohol content will be taken into consideration. Since Pennsylvania is an implied consent state, you have accepted to undergo a chemical test when arrested for DUI when you got your driver’s license. If a very high BAC is found when you are tested, jail time is much more likely than if you’re only just over the legal limit.

BAC Above 0.08%

Drivers who are caught with a BAC that is slightly over the allowable limit are unlikely to face jail time in Pennsylvania. First-time offenders might incur a $300 fine, six months of probation, and mandatory highway safety school. In some cases, you might also have to go to counseling to resolve the drug and drinking problem.

The second time you are caught driving under the influence, your license might be suspended, and you may have to go to jail for five to six months. For this reason, it’s important to be very careful and avoid a second conviction at all costs, even if you’re only just over the legal limit.

BAC Above 0.10%

The penalty increases greatly if your blood alcohol content is above 0.10%. In such a case, you’re likely to spend two days to six months in jail, even if you’ve never violated traffic laws before. What’s more, your fine will be $500 to $5,000, and you will have to install an ignition interlock in your car. Your license will also be suspended for one year.

Repeat offenders will incur the same penalties, although their jail time and fine might be higher. They will also need to complete highway safety courses and drug and alcohol counseling.

BAC Above 0.16%

The most severe cases of DUI involve drivers who had a BAC above 0.16%. At this point, you are considered very inebriated and a great danger to others on the road, so the punishment is very severe. You will spend three days to six months in jail, pay $1,000 to $5,000, your license will be suspended for a year, you will have ignition interlock for a year, and you’ll have to complete highway safety school and addiction counseling.

If you are caught with this BAC a second or third time, your license suspension will be extended to 18 months, and you’ll have to fulfill all the other requirements again. Maybe most significantly, you might have to spend up to five years in jail.

How Your DUI Conviction Will Affect Your Life 

As you can see, even a one-time mistake can be detrimental and cause you severe legal issues. If you end up going to jail for your DUI, this will have grave consequences for your professional and personal life. In addition to losing income because you’re not working during the weeks or months of incarceration, you might also lose your job.

It can be exceedingly hard for former convicts to find a new job once they come out of jail, especially if they previously worked with people or had a job that involved driving. What’s more, your car insurance premiums might increase sharply as a result of the incident, which can put additional pressure on your financial situation.

How to Fight for Your Rights in Harrisburg, PA

While it’s best to avoid driving under the influence, you can still make the best of your situation, no matter what happened in the past. If you’ve been convicted, you should contact a DUI lawyer local to the Harrisburg, PA area, whether you’re guilty or not. A competent professional can help you to either get your case dismissed due to an error during your conviction, or they can minimize the penalty, potentially keeping you out of jail.

By working well with your lawyer and helping them compile all the evidence they need to win your case, you can improve your chances of returning to a normal life after your conviction. Listen to what your attorney has to say, follow their guidance, and comply with the local regulations at all times.
 

Hire a Competent DUI Lawyer

The best way to fight for your rights is to speak to someone who works with DUI cases on a regular basis. Such an attorney will know all the federal and local laws that could help you to build a strong case and prove that you are responsible, despite your one-off mistake. Look for a law firm with a good reputation. The attorneys should be well qualified and have several years of experience working in your area.

If you’re not sure whether a certain professional will be a good fit, read the reviews and testimonials. You might be able to find some on the website or through independent review sites. If previous clients have had a good experience, it’s likely that you will, too. Get in touch with the firm and book your initial consultation, during which you can determine whether the lawyer in question will be a great personal fit.

Cooperate with Your Lawyer 

Once you’ve decided to work with an attorney, there are several ways to help them build a strong case. Firstly, be honest about what happened and whether you were at fault, and tell your lawyer about your experience in as much detail as you can. Something that might not seem relevant to you could prove crucial to your case.

For example, there are several reasons why your case could be dismissed. If there is cause to believe that the chemical test was inaccurate, you were stopped for an illegal reason, or the police broke the law while detaining you, the judge could decide to let you off without punishment. By sharing the details and providing as much evidence as possible, you can help your lawyer to find a solution. That way, you might be able to avoid jail time or other penalties.

Driving under the influence is a serious offense, and you might go to jail even if it’s the first time you have been convicted. The best way to fight for your rights is to speak to an experienced DUI lawyer in Harrisburg, PA. Get in touch with us at Jameson Stone to book your initial consultation with either Ethan Stone or Daniel Jameson. They will be more than happy to discuss your situation and find appropriate solutions.