Pittsburgh Trial Attorneys Defend Drivers Against Second DUI Charges

Skilled legal team fights to reduce the consequences of your arrest

Any DUI arrest puts you in legal jeopardy. But if you already have a conviction of record, you face more stringent penalties. They can include extensive jail time, a hefty fine and more. As such, you should retain an attorney who can provide the highest level of legal representation and mount a vigorous defense that exposes all weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. At Phil DiLucente & Associates, LLC in Pittsburgh, we have decades of experience defending drivers accused of DUI. We employ strategies that put the prosecution on the defensive as we work to expose any doubts about each element of their case. Even when the facts appear to be against our client, we often negotiate a favorable resolution that minimizes the penalties imposed.

Penalties for a second DUI conviction in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a 10-year look-back period for DUI convictions, which includes those from out of state. So, if you thought you might leave your record behind you when you moved to the Commonwealth, that unfortunately is not the case. Unless your prior case was decided more than 10 years prior, you will be charged with a second-time DUI. 

DUI penalties in Pennsylvania are ordered in three tiers according to the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or level of impairment, as follows:

• Tier 1 — For a BAC of .08 to .099, the penalty is five days to six months in jail, a $300 to $2500 fine and a one-year license suspension.
• Tier 2 — For a BAC of .10 to .159, the penalty is 30 days to six months jail, a fine of $750 to $5,000 and a one-year license suspension.
• Tier 3 — For a BAC of .16 or higher or for controlled substance DUI, the penalty is 90 days in jail to five years in prison, a fine of $1,500 to $10,000 and an 18-month license suspension.

A two-time DUI offender who was driving with a passenger less than 18 years old can be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor. Penalties include up to six months in jail, a fine of at least $2,500 and an 18-month license suspension.

Other penalties a court can impose include community service, alcohol or drug education and treatment. The offender must bear the costs of such programs. If you want the court to allow you to drive with a hardship license, you are required to install a breath-alcohol ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle.

Additional ancillary consequences for repeat DUIs

Society is less forgiving of repeat offenders. After a second DUI conviction, you might be considered a bad risk for a loan, rental property, employment or enrollment in an educational program. You will also face much higher auto insurance premiums. 

For all the reasons cited above, you should retain the best legal defense you can find. An experienced DUI lawyer at our firm can provide knowledgeable counsel and effective representation as we fight to deliver the best possible results under the facts of your case.

Contact a Pennsylvania DUI lawyer for defense against second-time DUI charges

Phil DiLucente & Associates, LLC represents Pennsylvania motorists in repeat-offense DUI cases. Please call 1.800.GET.PHIL or contact us online to schedule a free consultation at our Pittsburgh office.