A driving under the influence (DUI) charge is a serious criminal offense, and being convicted of DUI can lead to a permanent criminal record. But this one mistake does not have to affect the rest of your life. There are often options for getting a more favorable outcome through the criminal justice system.
With the help of a skilled DUI lawyer, you may be able to minimize the disruption this causes, especially if this is your first offense. Contact our criminal defense attorneys in Montgomery County as soon as possible after your arrest to learn more.
When a police officer stops you for driving under the influence of alcohol in Pennsylvania, you could face attest, a license suspension, house arrest, hefty fines, hours of community service, an increase in insurance premiums, and even a jail sentence. It is not unusual to have significant stress and worry about your future following an arrest.
Most people facing criminal charges for drunk driving have many questions:
If you are facing a DUI or DWI in Montgomery County and have these questions or others like them, our DUI defense lawyer can help you understand and navigate the legal process.
If a police officer stops you and requests you take a breath or blood test and your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 or above, you could face a DUI charge. And it is important to note that refusing to take a blood, breath, or urine test will likely not help. If you refuse to submit to the breath test, the state can still convict you, and you will likely face other charges. You may also be asked to take a field sobriety test.
After your DUI/DWI arrest, here are some of the things you can expect:
You have ten days after your arrest to request an administrative hearing to prevent your driver’s license suspension. We recommend having a Montgomery County DUI lawyer from the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., represent you at this hearing to give you the best chance of retaining your license or getting special privileges to commute to and from work or school.
It is important to recognize how quickly you must act to request this hearing. You should contact our team for your initial consultation as soon as possible following your arrest. This is especially true for first-time offenders who may have more options to avoid becoming a convicted drunk driver thanks to pre-trial diversion programs available in Montgomery County.
Pennsylvania has a program called Accelerated Rehabilitative Discharge (ARD). If this is your first offense, you may qualify. Successful completion of an ARD program will dismiss your DUI charge and could make you eligible for expungement. Our team represents first-time DUI offenders frequently and helps them apply for this program. We can discuss it with you during a confidential consultation with our team.
Most people who face arrest must appear in court for their arraignment. During this appearance, you learn what charges you face and enter your plea. We often try to reduce the charges before arraignment or reach a plea agreement with prosecutors to prevent clients from having to continue to trial. If this is not possible, you may have to go to trial, where a jury will rule on your case.
If you are convicted of a DUI in Pennsylvania, you may face serious legal penalties. Depending on any previous convictions, whether anyone suffered injuries, and other facts of your case, these penalties can vary greatly.
According to PennDOT Driver & Vehicle Services, jail time, fines, license suspension, and required drug and alcohol treatment programs are all common.
If you have never had a DUI before, a police officer stopped you without incident, and your BAC was under .10, you are likely to face a maximum $300 fine, six months of probation, and the possible use of an ignition interlock device. A higher BAC will result in more serious penalties.
With a skilled Montgomery County DUI attorney by your side, you have the best shot at reducing your sentence or having your drunk driving charges reduced or dropped. There are several ways we can beat a Pennsylvania DUI charge.
If you were charged with a DUI, we can fight for your innocence. The defense strategy we use will depend on the circumstances of your case. Our Montgomery criminal defense lawyer may:
Your Montgomery County DUI attorney plays a key role in both the administrative and legal aspects of this type of charge. We work to help you keep your driver’s license through an administrative appeal while also striving to minimize the legal consequences of your arrests. All Montgomery County DUI cases are different, and it takes a knowledgeable attorney to know which strategy is likely to help you the most.
From analyzing your arrest and the strength of the case against you to negotiating a plea deal, we may work several different angles to reduce the severity of your sentence or get your charges dropped. We can present your options to you, explaining the pros and cons of ARD and other options for a more favorable outcome in your case.
Attorney David McKenzie is a former prosecutor and understands how the system works. At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we want our clients to know that just because they are facing a DUI charge doesn’t necessarily mean they will get convicted. We will fight so that you can stay out of prison and keep your license. If you choose our firm, you can expect the following:
Not only will a DUI conviction cause serious legal consequences, but you could also face consequences in your personal and professional life. These ramifications could affect you for a few years to the rest of your life. Ways a DUI conviction could affect you include:
If you have been charged with a DUI, you have the right to legal representation. We will do what we can to help you avoid having a DUI conviction on your record.
If you need help with your Pennsylvania DUI or DWI, contact the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. today. We can schedule a time for you to meet with a Montgomery County DUI lawyer to discuss your case and determine your legal options.
