A DUI charge is scary for anyone–– but likely even more so if you’re under 21. After all, your life is just beginning. You don’t want to enter adulthood with a criminal record. Thankfully, in the eyes of the law, you’re innocent until proven guilty. What’s more, you have the opportunity to partner with an under-21 DUI lawyer serving Pottstown.
McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. stands ready to take on your case and everything it entails. Our skilled attorney, David McKenzie III, is a former prosecutor, and now, he uses his knowledge of the criminal justice system to advocate for defendants.
You could benefit from partnering with a Pottstown criminal defense attorney at your earliest convenience. That way, we can secure time-sensitive evidence and craft your defense. To begin a free case evaluation, call now.
Trust Our Pottstown DUI Attorney to Build Your Under-21 Defense Strategy
To avoid the potential penalties of an under-21 DUI conviction, you want an experienced lawyer on your side. You don’t want a public defender. Why? These professionals juggle dozens of cases at once––and some only meet their clients on the first day of trial. With an important matter like this, you want comprehensive legal service and individualized attention.
When you entrust your future to our under-21 DUI attorneys, we:
- Investigate the criminal charges against you
- Gather evidence to challenge the prosecution
- Question if the police had probable cause to pull you over
- Challenge the results of the breathalyzer and chemical tests
- Build a defense with your support that we can present to a jury
- Represent you in court
Sometimes, it’s not possible to secure a “not guilty” verdict. In that instance, we can negotiate a plea bargain that results in less jail time and fewer penalties. No matter what route your case takes, we’re on your side.
For a free legal consultation with an under-21 dui lawyer serving Pottstown, call (610) 680-7842
Our Law Firm May Employ These Defenses on Your Behalf
The defense we employ in your criminal justice case depends on the circumstances of your arrest and other related factors. At trial, with supporting evidence, we may assert that:
- The police didn’t have probable cause. The police can’t pull over people at random, hoping to catch someone driving while intoxicated. They must have a reason. If they didn’t have a reason to pull you over, we can move to have any evidence they gathered dismissed––weakening the state’s argument.
- The testing equipment was misused. Law enforcement may have used a breathalyzer or blood test to measure your alleged intoxication level. These results aren’t infallible––even a simple mistake could skew the results. We could contest the legitimacy of these tests and have them barred from evidence.
- The police violated your constitutional rights. Upon your arrest, the police should have read your Miranda rights, informing you that you have the right to remain silent, and anything you share can be used against you. If they didn’t read your rights, and you admitted something incriminating, we could have those admissions disregarded at trial.
Pottstown Under-21 DUI Lawyer Near Me (610) 680-7842
We Protect You From the Penalties of an Under-21 DUI in Pottstown
Per the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PDOT), penalties for a first-time under-21 DUI offense include:
- A jail sentence. If convicted, you could spend anywhere from 48 hours to six months in jail. Even spending a few days behind bars could cause irreparable damage to your mental health.
- Driver’s license suspension. With a conviction, the state may have reason to believe that you’re a threat to public safety while driving. So, you could lose your license for anywhere from 12 to 18 months. This could affect your ability to work, attend school, and care for members of your family.
- Hefty fines. Being convicted of an under-21 DUI offense could wipe out your savings, as the state may impose a fine ranging from $500 to $5,000, depending on your arrest’s circumstances.
Here’s another consequence you could face if convicted: a blemish on your criminal record. In the long run, this can prevent you from applying for certain jobs and obtaining housing. You could also have problems securing educational opportunities.
You don’t want that, and neither do we. Our Pottstown criminal defense lawyers do everything possible to mitigate these criminal charges’ effect on your life and help you move on.
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Two Frequently Asked Questions of Our Experienced Attorney Serving Pottstown
It’s understandable to have many questions in the aftermath of your arrest. We want to supply the answers you need to make informed decisions about securing legal representation and protecting your future.
You may ask:
Can I Refuse a Breathalyzer Test?
David McKenzie III has years of experience both as a prosecutor and as a criminal defense attorney. Take it from him: you don’t want to refuse a breathalyzer test. When you applied for a driver’s license, you agreed to alcohol testing if pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving. Refusing to take a breathalyzer can result in serious penalties, even if you’re found not guilty of an offense later.
Here’s an interesting note: you must submit to field sobriety tests for a police officer to take a breathalyzer exam. You CAN refuse a field sobriety test, invalidating the law enforcement officer’s ability to compel a breathalyzer test. You can learn more about this when you consult our criminal defense law firm on your case.
What’s the Best-Case Scenario for My First-Time DUI Charge?
The best-case scenario for your situation depends on, well, your situation. Many people think that getting a “not guilty” verdict is the most favorable outcome. Yet, if we find that the state doesn’t have compelling evidence, we could move to have your charges dropped or dismissed. This could forgo the need for a criminal trial and let you move on.
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Contact Our Under-21 DUI Lawyer to Defend You in Pottstown Today
A DUI charge can have an immediate and lasting impact on your life. You could lose your driver’s license and your freedom. You could also suffer reputational damage that harms your employment, education, and relationships.
Our firm can build a defense and challenge the criminal charges against you. We can also mitigate the non-legal damages you may suffer as a result of a DUI charge. A lawyer from McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. is ready to talk to you about your case and begin strategizing.
To learn more during a free case evaluation, connect with our criminal defense attorney now.
Call or text (610) 680-7842 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
