How long you go to jail for drunk driving in Pennsylvania depends on your blood alcohol content (BAC) and whether you have previous drunk driving convictions.
The penalties for a DUI conviction in Pennsylvania range from no jail time to as many as five years in prison. But even if you escape jail, you could face a number of other penalties for drunk driving in Pennsylvania. These penalties could include license suspension, probation, fines, and mandatory alcohol treatment. You will also face many DUI costs of which you were likely unaware.
DUI Penalties in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the courts take drunk driving seriously. Even for a first offense, you could face probation, fines, traffic safety school, and alcohol treatment. The penalties get progressively worse if you receive subsequent convictions or if your BAC rises above certain thresholds.
The DUI penalties in Pennsylvania based on the number of previous convictions you have are as follows:
No Prior DUI Convictions
If you have no prior DUI convictions and your BAC was at or above 0.08% but below 0.1%, you could face:
- Up to six months’ probation
- A maximum fine of $300
- Mandatory traffic safety school
- Possible alcohol treatment
If you have no prior DUI convictions and your BAC was 0.1% or above but below 0.16%, you could face:
- A one-year driver’s license suspension
- Up to six months in prison
- A maximum fine of $5,000
- Mandatory traffic safety school
- Possible alcohol treatment
If you have no prior DUI convictions and your BAC was 0.16% or above, you could face:
- One-year driver’s license suspension
- Up to six months in prison
- A maximum fine of $5,000
- Mandatory traffic safety school
- Possible alcohol treatment
One Prior DUI Conviction
If you have one prior DUI conviction and your BAC was at or above 0.08% but below 0.1%, you could face:
- Up to 12 months driver’s license suspension
- Up to six months in prison
- A maximum fine of $2,500
- Mandatory traffic safety school
- Possible alcohol treatment
- One-year ignition interlock
If you have one prior DUI conviction and your BAC was at or above 0.1% but below 0.16%, you could face:
- Up to 12 months driver’s license suspension
- Up to six months in prison
- A maximum fine of $5,000
- Mandatory traffic safety school
- Possible alcohol treatment
- One-year ignition interlock
If you have one prior DUI conviction and your BAC was 0.16% or above, you could face:
- Up to an 18-month driver’s license suspension
- Up to five years in prison
- A maximum fine of $10,000
- Mandatory traffic safety school
- Alcohol treatment
- One-year ignition interlock
Two or More Prior DUI Convictions
If you have two or more prior DUI convictions and your BAC was at or above 0.08% but below 0.1%, you could face:
- Up to a 12-month driver’s license suspension
- Up to two years in prison
- A maximum fine of $5,000
- Alcohol treatment
- One-year ignition interlock
If you have two or more prior DUI convictions and your BAC was at or above 0.1% but below 0.16%, you could face:
- Up to an 18-month driver’s license suspension
- Up to five years in prison
- A maximum fine of $10,000
- Alcohol treatment
- One-year ignition interlock
If you have two or more prior DUI convictions and your BAC was at or above 0.16%, you could face:
- Up to an 18-month driver’s license suspension
- Up to five years in prison
- A maximum fine of $10,000
- Alcohol treatment
- One-year ignition interlock
Why You Should Hire a Lawyer to Fight Your Drunk Driving Charges in Pennsylvania
A lawyer can help you move past your DUI charges in Pennsylvania. We may even help you avoid some of the penalties outlined above.
How can a Pennsylvania DUI lawyer help? First, they can review the circumstances of your case and determine if it is possible to create reasonable doubt as to your guilt. Perhaps the arresting officer did not follow proper protocol. Maybe the breathalyzer used to capture your BAC was not properly calibrated. There are dozens of potential ways to call your guilt into question.
If it looks as if the prosecution has unassailable proof of your guilt, a lawyer can negotiate with the state to knock your DUI charge down to a lesser charge.
Call 610-680-7842 Today for a Free DUI Lawyer Consultation in Pennsylvania
The team at McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., can help you move past your DUI charge in Pennsylvania. Criminal defense attorney David McKenzie worked as a prosecutor for years and is keenly familiar with the tactics used by the other side. He can use this knowledge to your advantage. For a free case evaluation, call us today at 610-680-7842.
