Pennsylvania’s DUI Court Process | What Can I Expect?

If you have been accused of a DUI, continue reading to learn what you can expect through the DUI court process. Contact our knowledgeable DUI lawyer to learn more about the court process in Pennsylvania and how we can assist you.

DUI Court Process

You can expect the following steps when facing a DUI court process in Pennsylvania:

  1. Preliminary Hearing: Your preliminary hearing will be initiated by a police officer filing a criminal complaint against you. It will be held in front of a District Judge. This hearing is held to determine whether or not the Commonwealth can establish enough evidence for the case to be sent to Common Pleas Court for trial. Next, the Commonwealth must prove that it is more likely than not that a crime was committed. They will also prove that it is more likely than not that you are the person who committed this crime.
  2. Formal Arraignment: If all or some of the charges are held for court, you will then have to attend a formal arraignment.
  3. Pre-Trial Conference: The pre-trial conference will include a meeting with the prosecutor assigned to your DUI case. This conference will pick a date for your case to proceed to trial.
  4. Trial Date: On your trial date, you will be expected to proceed to trial. One of three things can occur on this date. You can proceed to trial where you will have the choice of proceedings with either a non-jury or a jury trial. You might negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecutor. Or, the case might be postponed because one of the parties is unable to proceed to trial on that date. If the Commonwealth is unable or unwilling to proceed, the case will be withdrawn by the prosecutor or dismissed by the judge.
  5. Sentencing: You will have the right to ask the Court for a pre-sentence report after conviction or plea. This will postpone your sentencing for approximately 90 days or you can waive your right to the pre-sentence report and ask the Judge to impose the sentence immediately. You will then have to serve your sentence.

For assistance with the DUI court process, it is important that you retain the services of an experienced  DUI lawyer who has the training and experience necessary to ensure that the correct mandatory DUI sentence is imposed. If you have any further questions regarding this process, do not hesitate to reach out to our criminal defense attorney today.

Contact Our Pittsburgh DUI Lawyer

The Law Office of George Heym focuses exclusively on DUI defense. George Heym is a former Allegheny County DUI prosecutor with an understanding of both sides of a DUI case, notable litigation experience, and relationships with local courts. Contact our firm to fight for your rights.

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