As you face the prospects of charges for a second DUI in a Pennsylvania court, you may feel that the prosecutor, judge and jury have already prejudged you as guilty until proven innocent. It is hard to escape the reality that you have previously sustained a conviction for the same offense. If you find yourself in this predicament, please read on, then contact an experienced Pittsburgh second DUI lawyer today.
What are the penalties for a second DUI in Pennsylvania?
As you have probably guessed, the penalties for a second DUI conviction are generally harsher than the consequences of a first-offense DUI. That being said, the penalties you face if convicted will depend on your blood alcohol concentration at the time you allegedly operated or drove a motor vehicle. The penalties for a second DUI break down as follows:
Second DUI (Tier 1: BAC between 0.08 and 0.099 percent):
- An ungraded misdemeanor conviction
- A 12-month suspension of your driver’s license
- A stint in jail between 5 days and 6 months
- A fine between $300 and $2,500
- Participation in alcohol highway safety school
- 1 year with the ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle
- Potential court-ordered treatment
Second DUI (Tier 2: BAC between 0.10 and 0.16 percent):
- A stint in jail between 30 days and 6 months
- A fine between $750 and $5,000
- A 12-month license suspension
- Mandatory 1-year use of the ignition interlock device in your vehicle
- Full D & A Assessment
- Enrollment in the alcohol highway safety school
Second DUI (Tier 3: BAC higher than 0.16 percent):
- A period of incarceration between 90 days and 5 years
- Enrollment in the alcohol highway safety school
- An 18-month license suspension
- Mandatory 1-year use of the ignition interlock device in your vehicle
- A fine between $1,500 and $10,000
- Full D & A Assessment
Please note that the court will consider it a misdemeanor in the first degree if your second DUI conviction is for Tier 3 DUI. Such a conviction can severely infringe on your liberties and bar you from owning firearms, among other things. If you face charges for a second DUI, you should reach out to a skilled Allegheny County DUI lawyer immediately.
How can an Allegheny County DUI lawyer help you?
Whatever you may think, the law officially presumes you are innocent until proven guilty. A seasoned DUI defense lawyer will argue that law enforcement did not properly calibrate testing equipment and it should not be relied upon. He or she may also contend that the officer on the scene mistook medical conditions for alcohol intoxication. At a minimum, your legal representative will pore over the facts of your case to determine if law enforcement followed the dictates prescribed by law. If they did not, the judge may reduce or dismiss your charges. Let us fight for you and your future.
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.
