Pittsburgh DUI Lawyers

If you are stopped for driving your vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, you will likely face charges for DUI. These charges can exact a heavy toll on both your personal life and your career. You risk losing your driving privileges indefinitely, or you may face severe repercussions in your professional sphere.

This is why it is critical to connect with a legal professional who can navigate the legal process, helping you aim for reduced penalties or potentially having the charges dismissed. For this, you should turn to the Logue Law Group. Our skilled Pittsburgh DUI lawyer will assist you in managing the case, ensuring you can handle the consequences and resolve the matter as efficiently as possible.

Pennsylvania DUI Laws

It is against the law to operate a vehicle while impaired or intoxicated. While statutes vary, the core conditions considered in these cases include:

• Substance abuse involving alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two.
• A Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher in your system at the time of the incident.

There are several ways you can be charged with an offense in Allegheny county:

• High BAC: If your blood alcohol level is above the legal limit at the time of an accident or stop. For general drivers, this limit is 0.08%; for commercial drivers, strict standards set the limit at 0.04%.
• Impairment without High BAC: You can still face DUI charges even if your BAC does not exceed the legal limit. In such scenarios, police must demonstrate that your judgment and reflexes were impaired by drugs, alcohol, or even over-the-counter medications.
• Dangerous Drugs: Certain substances are legally classified as dangerous because they can impair driving abilities. Even if you possess a valid prescription for these medications, it may not serve as a total defense if the prosecution proves they affected your driving.

These are the fundamental laws used to charge drivers. Because there are numerous other statutes that can be applied, contacting an experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer is a necessary step for your defense.

Difference Between DUI

Fundamentally, there is no major difference between the two terms; DUI is abbreviated for similar offenses. It simply depends on how the state classifies the case. In some regions, the offense is called Operating a Vehicle Impaired (DUI). In Pennsylvania, it is commonly referred to as Driving Under the Influence (DUI). The slight nuance is that prosecutors must prove the offender was actually impaired while driving. To handle these complex cases, you need to hire an expert Pittsburgh DUI lawyer.

DUI Offenses Logue Law Group Handles

Our team handles a variety of cases, including:

• First DUI Offense: This applies if you are charged with your first DUI within a 10-year period. Charges are often based on whether your BAC exceeded the limit or if you were impaired by medication.
• Second DUI Offense: You face a second offense if you are charged within 10 years of your first. Penalties and fines are typically harsher, often involving more jail time.
• Third DUI Offense: A third charge within 10 years can lead to imprisonment, high fines, and house arrest. You may also be required to use special license plates upon reinstating your driving privileges.
• Physical Control of Vehicle: It is prohibited to be in physical control of a vehicle while impaired. This is generally a misdemeanor with lesser punishment than a standard DUI.
• Underage DUI: If you are under the age of 21, you are prohibited from consuming alcohol. If you are impaired by drugs or alcohol, you will need legal assistance.
• Aggravated Vehicular Assault: If you cause an accident resulting in injury or death while driving drunk, it is treated as a felony with much harsher penalties.

DUI Laws and Penalties

The penalties for these charges vary widely. Dealing with them—and attempting to get charges dropped—requires the help of a knowledgeable Pittsburgh criminal lawyer.

First DUI (First Degree Misdemeanor equivalent)

• 3 days of imprisonment or completion of a 72-hour certified driver intervention program.
• Up to 6 months of imprisonment.
• Fines ranging between $375 and $1,075.
• Driver’s license suspension for 3 to 6 years.
• Limited driving privileges after 15 days (optional).
• Alcohol education and treatment programs (optional).
• Special license plates (optional).
• Ignition interlock device (optional).

First DUI With High BAC or Refusal

• Six days in prison or completion of a 72-hour certified driver intervention program.
• Up to six months in jail.
• Financial penalties between $375 and $1,075.
• Six months to three-year driver’s license suspension.
• Special license plates.
• Limited driving privileges after 15 days (optional).
• Alcohol education and treatment programs (optional).
• Ignition interlock device (optional).

Second DUI (First Degree Misdemeanor equivalent)

• Between ten days and six months in prison.
• Fines between $525 and $1,625.
• Probation.
• House arrest and/or electronic monitoring.
• One to five years suspension of driver’s license.
• Limited driving privileges after 45 days.
• Special license plates.
• Alcohol assessment, education, and treatment.

Second DUI With High BAC or Refusal

• Between twenty days and six months in prison.
• Fines between $525 and $1,625.
• Probation.
• House arrest and/or electronic monitoring.
• One to five years suspension of driver’s license.
• Limited driving privileges after 45 days.
• Special license plates.
• Alcohol assessment, education, and treatment.
• Ignition interlock device.

Third DUI (First Degree Misdemeanor equivalent)

• Between thirty days and one year in prison.
• Fines between $850 and $2,750.
• Probation.
• House arrest and/or electronic monitoring.
• Vehicle forfeiture if the offender owns the vehicle.
• Limited driving privileges after 180 days.
• Driver’s license suspension between two and ten years.
• Special license plates.
• Alcohol assessment, education, and treatment.
• Ignition interlock device.

Third DUI With High BAC or Refusal

• Between sixty days and one year in jail.
• Fines between $850 and $2,750.
• Probation.
• House arrest and/or electronic monitoring.
• Vehicle forfeiture if the title is in your name.
• Limited driving privileges after 180 days.
• Driver’s license suspension between two and ten years.
• Special license plates.
• Alcohol assessment, education, and treatment.
• Ignition interlock device.

First Felony DUI

• Between sixty days to thirty months in prison.
• Fines between $1,350 and $10,500.
• Vehicle forfeiture if the title is in your name.
• Driver’s license suspension from three years to lifetime.
• Limited driving privileges after three years.
• Special license plates.
• Ignition interlock device.
• Alcohol and drug addiction program.

Second Felony DUI

• Between sixty days and five years in prison.
• Fines between $1,350 and $10,500.
• Vehicle forfeiture if the offender is the owner.
• Driver’s license suspension from three years to lifetime.
• Limited driving privileges after three years.
• Special license plates.
• Ignition interlock device.
• Alcohol and drug addiction program.

Related Charges

• DUI Child Endangerment
• DUI Prevention Guide
• Drunk Driving Charges
• Field Sobriety Tests
• Fleeing and Eluding
• Intoxicated Boating

contact us at 412-387-6901 with the Logue Law Group. We will review your case diligently to offer you the best resolution for your situation. Call a Pittsburgh DUI lawyer today.