A felony DUI (driving under the influence) arrest in Norristown that leads to conviction might be harmful to your present and future. You might be barred from certain areas of employment if convicted. In addition, your community standing might suffer, and any subsequent background checks might reveal your arrest and conviction.
A criminal defense lawyer from our firm can defend you against felony DUI charges. With the guidance and direction of a Norristown felony DUI lawyer from McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., you may be able to minimize the potential damage to your career and loss of freedom.
When a DUI Charge Becomes a Felony
Pennsylvania takes DUIs seriously and grades each offense according to its severity. According to 75 Pa. C.S. §3803, a DUI becomes a felony if the arrestee:
- Has at least three prior offenses
- Commits vehicular homicide
- Commits aggravated vehicular assault
- Refuses a blood alcohol content (BAC) test
- Has a child passenger and two or more prior offenses
Previous DUIs play a significant role in raising the charges against you to the felony level. Felony DUIs carry higher penalties and fines than misdemeanor DUIs. A criminal defense lawyer from our team might be able to help you avoid these harsher penalties.
Felony DUI Penalties in Norristown
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania has three categories of DUI. Based on the result of your blood alcohol content (BAC) level, they include:
- .08 to .099% BAC = General impairment
- .10 to .159% BAC = High BAC
- .16% and higher = Highest BAC
Depending on your BAC level and the charges you face, possible penalties of a felony DUI conviction include:
- Driver’s license suspension
- Jail time or imprisonment
- Significant financial penalties
- Evaluation and treatment
- Ignition interlock device
Our team may negotiate a plea bargain on your behalf to lessen the potential penalties you might face. Before doing so, we might be able to have the charges against you lowered as well.
For a free legal consultation with a felony dui lawyer serving Norristown, call (610) 680-7842
How We Defend You Against a Felony DUI Charge
After being arrested for a DUI, it’s important not to volunteer any information or speak to police without a lawyer by your side. We advise that you contact our law firm first and speak to us before making any statements at all.
When our team handles your case, we may:
- Review your arrest
- Ensure probable cause
- Challenge BAC testing equipment
- Challenge BAC test results
- Negotiate a plea bargain
- Negotiate a reduction in charges
We are on your side and will explore every legal avenue to help you avoid incarceration, severe fines, and potential loss of employment or damage to your career. You can learn more about how a Norristown felony DUI lawyer from our firm can help you in a free consultation.
Probable Cause
Per 42 Pa. C.S. §8902, a police officer can arrest you if they have probable cause.
When our team works on your defense, we may start by ensuring there was probable cause to arrest you. If our investigation proves there was no probable cause, we may be able to leverage the facts of your arrest to have it invalidated.
Blood Alcohol Content Testing
Law enforcement uses BAC testing to confirm their suspicion that you were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In Pennsylvania, your consent to submit to BAC testing is implied. When you submit, we might be able to challenge:
- The calibration of the testing machine
- The results of your BAC test
If the method used to test your BAC was faulty or defective, this may benefit your case and help our team fight for you. We leverage every tool at our disposal to have the charges against you reduced or dismissed. Where possible, we also fight for a plea bargain or lighter sentence.
Norristown Felony DUI Lawyer Near Me (610) 680-7842
The Social Impact of a Felony DUI
A felony DUI can also come with social penalties that might be difficult to overcome. The negative consequences of a felony DUI conviction can include:
- Job loss
- Career damage
- Difficulty obtaining employment
- Higher auto insurance rates
- Impaired ability to vote
- Limited housing options
These types of potential damage to your good name and character might leave a blight on your reputation. Our team may be able to help you mitigate them and maintain your reputation.
Let Us Help Preserve Your Reputation
On your own, it might be difficult to understand the damage you might face to your personal, professional, and social life. When you hire our team, we assess the potential damage and look for ways to decrease it.
After signing an agreement with us, we provide you with several ways to reach us, including:
- Text
- Phone
- Social media
We are committed to responsive, accessible client communication. We also fight hard for the best possible outcome for you and to protect your current and future reputation. When you trust us to represent you in your felony DUI criminal case, a member of our legal team will be available for contact anytime.
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Fight Back with Help from a Norristown Felony DUI Lawyer
If you were arrested for a felony DUI and want a chance to avoid damage to your name, character, career, and future, our legal team is here to help. Do not allow an arrest to leave a permanent stain on your character.
You can avoid the stigma of a felony DUI arrest and rebuild your life. Contact the criminal defense team at McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., by calling (610) 991-7219 today and find out how hard we work to help you get your life back on track.
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