Being charged with a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th offense for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) in Pennsylvania can have devastating consequences for you and your family. In fact, a 4th offense DUI is now graded as a felony regardless of the alcohol level. As a result, it is vital to hire an experienced PA multiple DUI defense lawyer.
What are the Consequences of a Second or Third DUI in PA?
The consequences are severe. Under Pennsylvania’s DUI sentencing laws, repeat DUI offenders face enhanced penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, extended suspension of driving privileges, and mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device on all the offender’s vehicles.
In addition, a conviction for a repeat DUI offense may lead to significant mandatory DUI fines, court costs, and extended time on probation or parole. Also, individuals convicted of 3 or more DUIs in 5 years cannot possess a firearm in Pennsylvania.
Have the local police charged you with a second, third, or fourth DUI? If so, learn more about Pennsylvania DUI penalties.
4th DUI in PA
Have the police charged you with a 4th DUI? Unfortunately, due to a recent change in the DUI law, all 4th offense DUIs are now graded as felonies. Also, a 4th offense DUI will disqualify you from most Pennsylvania county DUI restrictive probation programs.
Doylestown DUI Lawyer
I have over a decade of experience providing skilled and aggressive representation to individuals charged with DUI in Bucks County, Montgomery County, and the surrounding counties.
Contact me at (215) 752-5282 for a free initial consultation, or fill out the confidential contact form for an immediate response. Appointments are available after business hours and on weekends.
Multiple DUI Sentencing Alternatives
Many sentencing alternatives exist for individuals facing charges for a 2nd or subsequent DUI offense. Many different sentencing programs allow for early parole, house arrest, and home confinement with electronic monitoring.
Also, these intermediate punishment options provide you with the opportunity for you to complete essential drug and alcohol treatment programs.
These DUI sentencing alternatives often allow you to keep your job and maintain close ties to your family for support during rehabilitation. Depending on the circumstances of your case and your criminal history, you may be eligible for one of the following multiple DUI sentencing alternatives:
- Restrictive Probation with DUI Conditions (Bucks County)
- House Arrest
- GPS Electronic Monitoring
- Work Release
- Recidivism Risk Reduction Initiative (RRRI)
- Drug Court
Suppose you are facing charges for a 2nd or subsequent DUI offense. In that case, I can review your case to determine your eligibility for a DUI sentencing alternative.
Why is Drug and Alcohol Treatment Important in Multiple DUI Cases?
Most judges and prosecutors will conclude that an individual charged with a 2nd or subsequent DUI offense has a substance abuse problem, even when the prior DUI charges are many years apart.
Resolving any outstanding drug and alcohol treatment issues before sentencing is essential to any case involving a repeat DUI offense.
The DUI sentencing judge will be less likely to impose the most severe penalties if they believe you are actively participating in or have completed a substance abuse treatment program. If necessary, I will direct you to available resources for drug and alcohol screening and treatment.
DUI Treatment Options Before Sentencing
I am familiar with the drug and alcohol treatment programs in Bucks County, Montgomery County, and other areas of Pennsylvania. Depending on the extent of their substance abuse addiction, many individuals will benefit from participating in a substance abuse treatment program after an arrest for a repeat DUI offense.
The results of a drug and alcohol assessment will determine the type of treatment program required. The programs vary and may include:
- Long-term inpatient treatment
- Short-term inpatient treatment
- Group counseling
- Individualized therapy
- Placement in a sober living residence
- Residing in a recovery house
PA Multiple DUI Defenses
Anyone charged with a 2nd or subsequent DUI offense faces greatly enhanced penalties compared to a first-time DUI offender. I will aggressively investigate and pursue all potential DUI defenses to avoid those enhanced penalties.
I will thoroughly review the facts and evidence in your case, including the following areas:
- Did the police have reasonable suspicion or probable cause for the vehicle stop?
- Did the police officer have proper jurisdiction for the car stop?
- Were the field sobriety tests conducted properly?
- Did the police officer have probable cause for the DUI arrest?
- Was the accused actually driving the vehicle?
Additional Defenses in Multiple DUI Cases in PA
- Was there an unbroken chain of custody of the evidence in the case?
- Was the breath-testing machine properly calibrated?
- Was the breath-testing device properly tested for accuracy?
- Was the breath test operator adequately certified to conduct the test?
- Did the blood-testing laboratory follow proper procedures?
You can review an in-depth examination of DUI legal defenses on the PA DUI defenses page.
Can the DUI Charges and Penalties be Reduced?
Yes. In many multiple DUI cases, the prosecutor’s evidence is weak or insufficient to prove the crime of DUI. In such instances, it is often possible to negotiate a plea agreement, resulting in reduced charges and penalties.
Also, providing the district attorney with proof of successful drug and alcohol treatment can often convince them to amend your DUI charge to a lower DUI tier, resulting in no jail time or significantly reduced time in jail.
As an experienced Pennsylvania DUI lawyer, I will examine the circumstances and evidence in your case to determine if a negotiated plea agreement should be considered an option to successfully resolve your charges.
DUI Lawyer Bucks County
Are you searching for one of the top-rated Bucks County DUI lawyers? In that case, contact me to begin building the most vigorous possible defense against your DUI charges. My practice area also includes Montgomery County, Chester County, and Delaware County.
Phone lines are open twenty-four hours daily at (215) 752-5282. Contact me for a free initial consultation or fill out the confidential contact form for an immediate response.
