In Bucks County, a DUI conviction can result in potential jail time, hefty fines, and suspension of your driver’s license. A Pennsylvania DUI conviction also results in a permanent criminal record. Before making any decisions that could affect your future, consider consulting with a Bucks County DUI lawyer to learn more about your options.
At the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., our Bucks County criminal defense lawyer can help you through this challenging process by ensuring that you understand your legal rights. We can mount a compelling case for your defense, and, in some cases, we may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor on your behalf in hopes of having your charges reduced or even dismissed.
Defending Against a DUI Charge in Bucks County, PA
Former criminal prosecutor David McKenzie now works as a criminal defense attorney in DUI cases and understands that pleading guilty to a DUI offense is not necessarily the only option. Depending on your circumstances, it may be possible to defend your charges.
For example, there may be contestable issues surrounding the reliability of your breathalyzer test, the administration of your field sobriety test, or the appropriateness of a traffic stop. Any missteps found along the way could result in reduced penalties or even complete dismissal of your charges.
When you hire David McKenzie as your DUI attorney, he will look closely at every possible challenge of the charges against you. The defense strategy we use in a DUI case varies, but we may evaluate the following:
- The circumstances of the initial stop by the police officers
- How the police officers conducted each step of their investigation
- How they conducted field sobriety tests
- How the officers collected toxicology evidence, such as a breathalyzer test sample or a urine sample
For a free legal consultation with a dui lawyer serving Bucks County, call (610) 680-7842
What are the Penalties for a DUI Conviction?
The specific charges you face will depend on the circumstances of your arrest and any past offenses you may have. The penalties for a Bucks County DUI conviction are based on a three-tier system.
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How Does a DUI Conviction Affect Your Life?
Once you have a conviction for drunk driving charges, this offense becomes a part of your permanent criminal record. Sealing your record or expunging DUI charges is rarely possible. As a result, you may have trouble getting car insurance in the future. If you can obtain insurance, you can expect to pay significantly higher premiums. A conviction may also prohibit you from obtaining professional licensure or, if you already hold a professional license, it may result in sanctions or fines.
Your conviction will also show up whenever someone runs a background check on you.
This means that potential employers will know about your DUI history and, in most cases, can legally reject your application. Any future DUI charges you face will qualify you as a repeat offender, potentially increasing your monetary fines and extending the length of your jail sentence and driver’s license suspension.
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What Should You do if You Get Pulled Over for Drunk Driving?
If an officer pulls you over, provide your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. It will not benefit you to be angry or aggressive toward the officer; this behavior may lead to even bigger problems. Instead, be polite and respectful, but do not offer any explanation of your actions. Do not admit fault or discuss what you may or may not have had to drink. You have no obligation to answer any questions during a stop.
You should not agree or consent to a search of your car, your possessions, or your person. If the officer suspects that you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they may request that you participate in field sobriety testing or take a portable breathalyzer test. You are not legally obliged to agree, but if you refuse and receive a conviction, you may face tier three DUI penalties— the harshest possible—and a license suspension of up to 18 months.
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Should You Fight Your DUI Charge in Court?
In most cases, you can fight a DUI charge in court. You may also elect to negotiate for a lesser charge. With the help of our Bucks County DUI lawyers, you may even be able to have your charges dropped completely. Our attorneys can examine the evidence against you and identify potential errors made by the arresting officer or during the toxicology testing phase of your DUI arrest.
In Pennsylvania, the officer must adhere to legal processes and procedures for all DUI arrests. Some of the most common errors made during Bucks County DUI arrests include:
- The lack of reasonable suspicion of driver impairment
- An illegal traffic stop
- An illegal DUI checkpoint
- Errors in field sobriety testing
- The failure to inform you of your rights
- Problems with breathalyzer equipment
- Problems with breath testing procedures
- An improperly trained officer.
When you involve one of our attorneys early in the process, we will have more time to build your case and potentially negotiate with the prosecutor on your behalf.
Should You Plead Guilty to a DUI Charge?
If fighting your DUI charge in court is not advisable, we can help you explore other options. If this is your first drunk driving offense, you may qualify for a Bucks County rehabilitation program. The Bucks County Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program gives some first-time offenders an attractive alternative to a trial. The focus of ARD is rehabilitation rather than punishment. Your attorney must prepare and submit an application on your behalf.
If the judge accepts your application, you must comply with all the program terms. Otherwise, the court will automatically deem you guilty of all charges. However, once you complete the ARD program, your attorney can request your charges be dismissed and your record expunged. If you qualify, you may also wish to consider the Bucks County Drug Court program. Designed for high-risk, high-need, non-violent offenders, this program can help you through the rehab process for alcohol and/or drugs.
Drug Court also requires an application and follows an acceptance process. The program takes one year to complete. During your time in the program, you must maintain employment, refrain from using alcohol and drugs, and establish a formal plan for aftercare. After you complete the program and pay all fines and fees, the court may reduce or dismiss your charges.
You Can Reach Us During Your Case
Facing criminal charges for driving under the influence of alcohol is a very stressful and upsetting experience to go through. Bucks County DUI defense lawyer understands what you are going through. He provides legal representation, guidance, support, and help to individuals accused of drunk driving charges and other criminal offenses.
When you become our client, you can always reach us through email, phone, text, or social media. We will update you about your case and answer all your questions and concerns.
Alternatives to a First-Time DUI Conviction
A DUI conviction is not always inevitable. A DUI lawyer can tell you about options that may help you keep your record clean. In addition to the defenses specific to your case, as a first-time offender, you may be eligible for a deferred verdict with a probation period. If you complete your probationary period as mandated, the DUI offense may be expunged from your permanent criminal record.
You may be eligible for Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program, which also allows you to have your record wiped clean upon completion. The ARD program focuses on rehabilitation and reducing the chances of reoffending instead of punishing people. Successful completion of the ADR program has many benefits, including:
- Getting your DUI charges dismissed
- Avoiding the stigma of having a criminal record
- Reducing or eliminating the driver’s license suspension period
- Allowing you to get your arrest record expunged, which means it is not viewable by employers
If ARD is a possibility for you, we will make a strong case to show how you would benefit from this program.
Call Us for a Free Consultation About a Bucks County DUI Charge
If you or a loved one faces DUI charges in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, contact the team at McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., as soon as possible. We’re ready to discuss the details of your case, and David McKenzie, who has years of defending DUI cases in Pennsylvania, is ready to put his knowledge to work for you.
Call us today.
Call or text (610) 680-7842 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
