What happens if you get a third DUI in Pennsylvania typically depends on your blood alcohol content (BAC) level when you were pulled over. Generally, the penalties may include license suspension, a misdemeanor charge, jail time, fines, and installation of an ignition interlock device.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), there are three levels of DUI: General Impairment, High BAC, and Highest BAC. The penalties you may face at each level vary. If you were pulled over while driving under the influence, you may want our DUI lawyer in your corner. We can explain the consequences of receiving a third DUI and defend you against the charges.
Consequences You Could Face After Getting a Third DUI
Pennsylvania uses the following levels to determine DUI punishment:
- General impairment: BAC of .08 to .099%
- High BAC: BAC of .10 to .159%
- Highest BAC: BAC of .16% and higher
The penalties you face for a third DUI depend on how high your BAC was when you were driving. For example:
General Impairment
General impairment is the lowest BAC level, but that does not mean you won’t face harsh penalties. If you were pulled over with a BAC of .08 to .099% and have two or more previous DUI offenses, you may:
- Have your license suspended for 12 months
- Spend anywhere from 10 days to two years in prison
- Get charged with a second-degree misdemeanor
- Need to pay a fine of $500 to $5,000
- Have an ignition interlock device placed in your car for a year
High BAC
Pennsylvania considers you to have a high BAC if your BAC was .10 to .159%. When you have more than two prior DUI offenses, you’ll usually face penalties like:
- An 18-month driver’s license suspension
- 90 days to five years in prison
- A first-degree misdemeanor charge
- Fines between $1,500 to $10,000
- Installation of an ignition interlock device for one year
If you commit more than three DUI offenses, you could spend a minimum of one year in jail.
Highest BAC
When you have a BAC of .16% or higher, you fall into the highest BAC category. Pennsylvania punishes offenders with the following penalties after two or more prior DUI offenses:
- 18-month driver’s license suspension
- One to five years in prison
- A first-degree misdemeanor charge
- Fines from $2,500 to $10,000
- Installation of an ignition interlock device for one year
Other Penalties You May Face When You Get a Third DUI in Pennsylvania
A drunk driving charge can impact several areas of your life. Beyond the legal repercussions of a DUI charge, you could face consequences like:
- Increased auto insurance premiums: Your insurance rates may go up if you continue to face DUI charges. It won’t help switching to a new provider, either. Your record will follow you, which may make other insurance companies hesitant to let you sign on.
- Problems with transportation: When your license is suspended, you can’t drive. This may make it difficult to commute to your job or school. Even running errands like shopping for groceries or attending doctor’s appointments will be made more inconvenient without your license.
- Issues at work or school: You could face penalties in your professional life if you are charged with a third DUI. Many employers won’t prefer to hire someone whose license is suspended and who does not have reliable transportation. When your school finds out about your DUI, you could lose any scholarships you have.
DUI charges are not taken lightly. Even if you were charged with a third DUI, though, you may have hope for getting your charge dropped or reduced when you work with our DUI attorney.
You May Want to Hire a DUI Lawyer After Your Third Charge
If you’ve been pulled over for driving under the influence more than once, you know how nerve-wracking it is. You do not have to stand up against your charges alone. Our team is experienced and knows how to build a defense strategy against your DUI charge.
Our DUI lawyer in Pennsylvania can:
- Listen to the details of your case to determine the most effective defense strategy to use
- Gather evidence that may prove you were not actually drunk
- Represent you in court, if necessary
- Speak to witnesses, including anyone who served you alcohol
- Attempt to get your charges reduced or dropped
- Explain the laws that apply to your case
- Answer any questions you might have
- Advise you on your legal options
- Communicate with you through phone calls, texts, emails, or social media
Defenses We Can Use Against Your DUI Charge
Once we understand what happened in your DUI case, we can build a defense strategy for you. Defenses we could use in your case include:
- Illegal stop – The police did not have a valid reason to think you were drunk and pull you over.
- Inaccurate breath test – Sometimes, breathalyzer machines do not produce correct results. We may find the machine used to test your BAC was faulty.
- Invalid field sobriety test results – If the officer did not properly conduct your sobriety test, we can use this information in your defense.
- No Miranda rights read – The officer that arrested you failed to inform you of your rights.
When you hire us, we want to know all the details of your case. That way, we can use the most appropriate information when we represent you. We will listen to you without judgment and provide honest advice about your next steps.
Contact McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. After Your Third DUI in Pennsylvania
You don’t have to face your third DUI charge alone. The team at McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. has years of experience managing DUI cases in Pennsylvania. We can build a solid defense on your behalf and stand up for your rights.
Don’t wait to reach out to an attorney after your third DUI. Our team is available 24/7, and we’re ready to take your call today.
