In Chester County, Pennsylvania, an individual can be charged with driving under the influence if the individual is operating a motor vehicle on the streets of Chester County, while the individual has a blood alcohol level above 0.08 in their system and/or any controlled or non-controlled substances which can hamper their ability to drive. These charges are treated very seriously and can lead to serious penalties making it important a Chester County DUI lawyer is contacted as soon as possible. An experienced defense attorney in Chester County can begin investigating the facts of the case and make sure the strongest defense possible is put forward. To discuss your case, call and schedule a consultation today.
In order to be convicted of DUI in Pennsylvania an individual must be operating a motor vehicle and be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance to the point that it impairs their driving ability. The court assumes an individual with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or with any controlled substances in their system at the time that they were operating a motor vehicle would render them incapable of doing such.
In Pennsylvania, DUIs are treated very seriously. Police officers often set up checkpoints where they stop drivers they suspect may be driving under the influence. The legislature has mandated for DUIs mandatory sentencing penalties which apply to first, second, third, or more DUIs. Therefore, for most crimes in Pennsylvania, mandatory sentencing has been struck down. When it comes to driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, however, mandatory sentences still apply. That only indicates that the judges, legislature, and Commonwealth, in general, through their police and district attorneys, treat DUIs in a very serious fashion.
DUIs are considered to be a public nuisance that can hurt many individuals. Innocent individuals at times have been injured by DUI drivers, whether on the street, in another vehicle, or any other way. Therefore, drunk driving is one of those crimes that Pennsylvania, specifically Chester County, wishes to negate completely.
If an individual is to imbibe any alcohol and/or any drugs, whether it be prescription or non-prescription, a person can often face a stiff sentence if convicted of DUI. Additionally, license suspensions come into play, starting at a year suspension unless an individual is otherwise eligible for diversionary program. This suspension can often have a serious impact making it imperative a DUI attorney in Chester County is contacted as soon as possible.
Year suspensions can be added if a person refuses a breathalyzer and/or blood test, and thousands of dollars in court cost and automobile confiscations often occur. Therefore, DUI is among the most serious of offenses that are heard in Pennsylvania, and the Commonwealth spends millions of dollars and resources every year to combat DUIs and to make sure individuals, especially repeat offenders, serve an incarceration sentence that will always remind them that drinking and driving do not go together and/or drugs, and/or alcohol and driving do not go together.
Due to the repercussions of a DUI conviction both on an individual’s license and potentially their freedom, it is important to consult with an experienced DUI attorney in Chester County as soon as possible to begin building a defense. A lawyer can look at the facts and circumstances surrounding the accusation and help make sure the individual is prepared for what will take place. To learn more or discuss your case, call and schedule a consultation today.