One minute, you think it’s fine to drive home after a few happy hour drinks. The next, you’re being cuffed on the side of the road for having a BAC reading of .099. Understanding Pennsylvania’s criminal code as it pertains to DUI or DWI offenses can be intimidating and confusing. Take a look at these common questions about driving while under the influence.
In Pennsylvania, your DUI charge may be expunged from your record if you go through the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program. Because the ARD program was created to stop individuals from becoming repeat offenders, the only individuals eligible for expungement are first-time offenders.
In addition to the ARD program, your record could also be expunged if it has been five years since the crime occurred and you have not committed another offense.
If you have a DUI charge against you, it will appear on a criminal background check. In addition, if an employment screening required a driving record check, it likely will appear there, too.
While driving under the influence can leave a black mark on your record, it doesn’t always impact your employment. However, there are certain careers where a DUI can impact your employment prospects. Those jobs include:
The penalties for an underage DUI depend on a variety of factors, such as how much you drank and if this is your first charge. The baseline penalties for driving under the influence while underage are:
DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence of drugs or alcohol. DWI stands for Driving While Impaired. While there is no legal difference between the two, states may call driving while under the influence of a narcotic or alcohol a DUI, DWI, or even OWI (operating while intoxicated) offense.
While in most cases driving while under the influence is a misdemeanor offense, there are times when it can be categorized as a felony charge.
Under Pennsylvania Act 153, you may be charged with a felony DUI when you have three prior convictions for driving under the influence at any level within the last 10 years.
If you have lost your license as a result of a DUI conviction, you may have your license suspended for one year for first-time offenses or up to 18 months for a second or any subsequent offense.
After being arrested for driving under the influence, the court proceedings typically go as follows:
If you have been charged with drunk driving in Scranton, Kingston, or Carbondale, do not wait to seek legal advice. The DUI lawyers at Mazzoni Valvano Szewczyk & Karam know that every case is different. We will work with you to seek the most favorable outcome. Contact us today.
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