If you face a charge for driving under the influence (DUI), you need to know what a conviction means for you.
According to Erie News Now, in response to increased traffic flow, Pennsylvania state police are expanding efforts to pursue road violations. Recent actions included running a special operation for the purpose of targeting DUI offenders.
Understanding Penalties for DUI
If convicted of DUI in Pennsylvania, the punishment for drunk driving depends on your level of impairment at the time of the arrest. If an officer determines you to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, the court could impose one or more of the following penalties:
- Fines starting at $300
- Suspension of driver’s license
- Probation or incarceration
- Court-ordered driver safety course
- Court-ordered rehabilitation
- Vehicle ignition interlock device
If this is not your first DUI arrest, a judge may impose any number of these along with a lengthy prison sentence upon conviction.
Challenging your DUI accusation in court
If Pennsylvania police pulled you over during a targeted operation, then you may have a reasonable defense against your DUI charge. Heightened emotions and expectations surrounding the operation could lead to mistakes regarding jurisdiction, probable cause or field sobriety testing. When officers make procedural errors during traffic stops, judges take notice. With an effective argument, you could potentially mitigate your sentence or even beat your case.
A DUI can have a serious impact on your life. Therefore, it is important to know and understand your rights and options under the law.