First Offense DUI

Driving under the influence (DUI) can have irreversible and dangerous consequences. Some states, including Pennsylvania, have heavy penalties when it comes to DUI. By doing so, these states hope to discourage any cases of DUI or repeat offenders. Indeed, the penalty for the first offense DUI in Erie PA is severe enough to dissuade any more individuals from driving under the influence. 

Pennsylvania categorizes DUI penalties according to the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) during their arrest. The BAC legal limit is 0.08%, and landing in between 0.08% and 0.10% account for General Impairment. Once the driver exceeds that level, the legal charges they face once convicted get more and more severe. 

Moreover, driving with a BAC of somewhere between 0.10% and 0.159% is classified as high BAC. The driver with a BAC of 0.16% and higher gets charged with the highest BAC offense.

Once convicted, first-time DUI offenders are charged with severe penalties that can have a negative impact on their lives. The state of Pennsylvania enforces a strict watch on DUI. Even if the person has no prior history of DUI and other related offenses, they can still bear grave legal punishment.  

Since PA classifies DUI penalties according to the detected BAC during the arrest, the sentences are modified according to the different intoxication levels. The higher the amount of blood alcohol content detected, the graver the offense. 

Drivers with a detected BAC of 0.08% to 0.09% have to face up to six months probation and pay a fine not exceeding $300. Convicted individuals with a high BAC between 0.10% and 0.159% face jail time of 48 hours and can get up to six months. They will have to pay a fine of around $500 to $5,000. Their driver’s license also gets suspended for 12 months.

Drivers who committed the highest BAC offense or had a detected BAC of 0.16% and up have to spend a minimum of 72 hours to a maximum of 6 months in jail. They face up to $1,000 to $5,000 worth of fines. For 12 months, their license also gets suspended.

First-time DUI offenders can take alternative options to keep their records clean. They can qualify for a deferred sentence and probation. If they have completed their probationary period, the court may remove the DUI case from the individual’s permanent record.

They can also choose to qualify for Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program. This program consists of requirements they have to complete, one of which includes attending alcohol education classes. Once finished, the offense may be wiped clean from their criminal record.

Hire a trustworthy Pennsylvania DUI attorney with years of experience to ensure you receive due process and only get fair penalties. A DUI charge can significantly affect your personal and professional life. Make sure to get a capable DUI attorney that has your back 100% of the time.