A conviction for Drunk Driving/ DUI/ Driving after Imbibing/ DWI in Montgomery, Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks or Delaware Counties, PA has serious and lasting consequences. Recent changes to the Drunk Driving/ DUI / Driving after Imbibing/ DWI laws have increased penalties for people charged with this crime. For example, mandatory sentences include jail time and the suspension of your driver’s license. It is important to contact a criminal defense attorney so that you are fully aware of your rights and options. Punishments for Drunk Driving/DUI/Driving after Imbibing/ DWI in Montgomery, Chester, Bucks, Delaware and Philadelphia Counties, PA are based on a tiered system taking into account a person’s blood-alcohol level and whether he or she has any prior Drunk Driving/ DUI/ Driving after Imbibing/ DWI offenses.

People charged with a First Offense Drunk Driving/ DUI/ Driving after Imbibing may be eligible for the Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (“ARD”) Program. Admission into the ARD Program results in no jail time and a reduced license suspension. Depending on the county, people with lawyers may apply for the “ARD Fast Track” Program which can involve an even lesser license suspension (a criminal defense attorney should be retained prior to the Preliminary Hearing to ensure eligibility for the Fast Track ARD Program).
Additional Points:

• Occupational Limited (‘Bread and Butter’) Licenses are available in certain circumstances.
• The Blood Alcohol Limit for persons under 21 years of age is 0.02%.
• People who “refuse” to take a Blood Alcohol test upon request of the police are deemed to have a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.16% or higher.
• Police may not stop a car for no reason at all; they must have “probable cause” or “reasonable suspension” to make a vehicle stop.

*The penalties for Drunk Driving/ DUI/ Driving after Imbibing are set forth in the following chart:

Blood Alcohol Content Levels

First Offense (Drunk Driving/ DUI/ Driving After Imbibing/ DWI)*

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