Under Pennsylvania law, if you are arrested for a DUI while there is a minor in your vehicle, the legal ramifications can be more severe than an average DUI. As this behavior may endanger the life of a minor, the law does not look kindly upon these actions.
In Pennsylvania Title 75, the punishment for these crimes, if convicted, may include a first-degree misdemeanor, a driver’s license suspension, and a $1,000 fine for a first offense.
For multiple offenses, the penalty may increase to a felony of the third degree. You may also face a $10,000 fine and up to a five-year jail sentence for repeated DUIs with a minor passenger in the vehicle.
If you are wondering about what happens after a DUI arrest when a child is in the car, you may want to contact a criminal defense lawyer who can discuss what specific consequences may apply to your case.
Legal Penalties for DUI With a Child in the Car
Compared to a typical first-offense DUI without aggravating factors such as egregious alcohol consumption or grievous bodily harm, the penalties for DUIs with a minor in the vehicle can be stiffer.
For example, first-time DUI offenders may be subject to deferment or expungement programs so that the offense does not stay on their record. These options may not be offered to parties who commit these offenses with minors in the vehicle due to the severity of the act.
If you have been charged with a DUI while a child is in the car, a DUI or criminal defense attorney may be able to help defend your case. There may be defense strategies in your case that could allow your charges to be reduced or dismissed.
Child Protective Services May Be Notified
Receiving a DUI with a child in your car can also result in Child Protective Services (CPS) being notified. If this happens, CPS may begin investigating your case and the wellbeing of your children.
Other Possible Charges
If your DUI arrest involved a car crash with injuries to other people, this incident may also result in child endangerment charges, vehicular manslaughter charges, and other charges, if applicable.
These charges will all depend on the circumstances surrounding your specific actions. The more intoxicated the driver is, and the more reckless they are driving, may play significant roles in the filing of further charges.
An Attorney Willing to Fight for You
McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. is a criminal defense law firm. David McKenzie is a former criminal prosecutor who now defends people in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and nearby areas with criminal charges.
If you were arrested for DUI with a minor in your vehicle, contact our firm for a free consultation about your legal options. Just because you have been charged with a crime does not mean that you are guilty of it. We believe that everybody deserves to have an attorney in their corner fighting for their case.
If you hire McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. to defend you, we will investigate your incident, the charges against you, and the evidence against you to build a clearer picture of the crime you were accused of. We can also discuss your legal options and the possible outcomes or your case, and provide legal advice, when we represent you.
We may be able to create a reasonable doubt of your guilt by examining whether the arresting officer followed protocol, if the breathalyzer used in your arrest was properly calibrated, or by scrutinizing other evidence that is being used against you. This may allow your DUI charges to be dropped or reduced.
To find out more about our services, call McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. now at (610) 680-7842 for your free consultation with a member of our team. We may be able to defend you against DUI charges in Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, or Berks County.
You do not need to face charges of DUI with a child in the car alone. If you hire McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. to represent you, we will be available to answer your questions via phone, text, or email throughout the duration of your case.
