You can get a driving under the influence (DUI) charge while riding a bike. The law in Pennsylvania treats those who ride bicycles the same as those who drive other vehicles like cars, trucks, and motorcycles. You could be facing serious legal consequences if you were charged with DUI while riding a bicycle and may consider hiring a lawyer to handle your case.
What Qualifies as a DUI in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Act 24 details the circumstances under which you may be charged with DUI. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you can get a DUI while riding a bike if:
- You had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between .08% and .99%
- You had a BAC between .1% and .159%
- You had a BAC of .16% or higher
The legal consequences that you or your loved one may be facing could differ based on which of these BAC categories your breathalyzer test results fit into. The DMV explains that you could be subject to penalties for having a BAC of .16% or higher if you refused to take a breathalyzer test.
Possible Legal Penalties for Your DUI
If you or a loved one were charged with DUI while riding a bike, then a conviction could trigger several legal consequences. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB) explains the various consequences you may face for a DUI conviction.
The penalties you may face depend on the specific statutes you are accused of violating, which is tied to how high your recorded BAC was. For those who have been charged with their first DUI in a ten-year window, punishments may include:
If you had a BAC between .08% and .1%, possible legal consequences for conviction include:
- A fine of up to $300
- Mandatory probation for six months
- Court-ordered courses related to alcohol use and operating a motor vehicle
The legal consequences that you face become increasingly serious as your recorded BAC rises. For a BAC in the range of .1% to .159%, your consequences may include:
- Up to 6 months of jail time
- A fine of up to $5,000
- A license suspension of up to 1 year
- Court-ordered courses
If your BAC was .16% or greater, then you may be facing:
- Up to 6 months in jail
- A fine of up to $5,000
- Court-ordered courses
- License suspension of up to a year
You may have a higher minimum amount of jail time if your BAC was .16% or greater than those with a lower BAC.
The legal consequences of a DUI may only be the beginning of the negative effects of a DUI conviction.
A DUI Conviction Can Have Wide-Ranging Negative Effects
As the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) explains, a DUI conviction record could be viewable to the public. This is just one reason why a DUI conviction could have a significant negative impact on your quality of life.
Some of the parties who may be able to view your DUI conviction include:
- Current and prospective employers
- Landlords
- Friends
- Family
- Romantic partners
Being convicted of DUI could have a significant negative effect on your reputation and may lead to outcomes that you would prefer to avoid. These outcomes may include:
- Being fired
- Being passed over for jobs
- Being denied housing
- Being deemed irresponsible as a parent in matters of custody
- Significant financial loss, which could result from being fired, facing fines related to your DUI conviction, and having difficulty obtaining future employment
- Suffering mentally and physically because of the circumstances surrounding your DUI conviction
You may hire a lawyer to lead your defense. Their goal will be to avoid a conviction so that you do not face the steep consequences that generally come from a DUI conviction.
A Lawyer Will Defend You from Your DUI Charge
There is much at stake for anyone facing a DUI charge, whether it came from you riding a bicycle or operating some other sort of vehicle. A lawyer and their team understand that a DUI conviction could affect the future course of your life and will aim to secure a positive outcome from your case.
Some of the ways that a lawyer and their team can assist you include:
- Gathering evidence, including any evidence that clears you of wrongdoing
- Analyzing all available evidence to understand the case against you
- Working with you to determine what the target outcome for your case should be
- Speaking with prosecutors, judges, and any other parties who could impact the outcome of your case
- Seeking the best possible outcome for your case while defending your rights
Every DUI case is different, and your lawyer will aim to get the best possible outcome for you based on the unique details of your DUI charge.
Call McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. Today for More Information
A lawyer may be able to begin crafting your defense the sooner that you retain them as your attorney. Call McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. today at (610) 991-7219 to learn the next steps in hiring a lawyer and starting the defense of your DUI charge.
Our team is very accessible through email, text, phone, and social media once we sign you as a client.
