How Likely is Jail Time For a First DUI in Pennsylvania?

A first DUI can happen to anyone. Almost always, it was not intentional. The law does not require intent. The law requires that the person intentionally drank, and the person then lives with the consequences of having driven while intoxicated. 

If you’re arrested on a first DUI, it is important to be prepared and get your questions answered since it might be your first experience talking to police officers, magistrates, prosecutors, and the rest of the court system. I am very specialized in the Lehigh Valley only. I only handle DUI cases in Lehigh and Northampton County. 

Let’s look at some common questions people have about their first DUI in Lehigh or Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

What is the penalty for the first DUI in Allentown, Pennsylvania?

If you are convicted for your first DUI in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the standard punishments are loss of your driver’s license for an entire year, a hefty fine, and up to six months of jail time. Of course, these possible penalties depend on the levels of your blood alcohol.  

The DUI laws are quite extensive and confusing if you don’t know the process inside out. Hiring an attorney in Allentown, Pennsylvania who is specialized in these cases, could help you navigate to the best outcome while safeguarding your freedom. 

Is a DUI charge the same as a conviction?

Being charged with a DUI, or any other crime, just means that you have been formally accused. A conviction means you were found guilty by a judge or jury. You are presumed innocent until proven guilty and the District Attorney and police have the burden at every stage of the legal proceedings to prove it. 

DUI charges can be dismissed or reduced. The District Attorneys in Lehigh and Northampton County do not withdraw these charges unless they become convinced by you and your attorney that it wasn’t really a DUI. However, a skilled DUI attorney can help you in reducing the penalty for your charge.

Can you get your DUI expunged in Allentown, Pennsylvania?

Expungement is the method of getting your DUI offense cleared, sealed, or removed from your permanent criminal record. On the basis of your expungement record, your offense related to the charge could be completely cleared, and your court and police records can be sealed or even removed. This means that your charge would not show up in background checks conducted by insurance companies or organizations that are considering hiring you.

Also, once your charge gets expunged, you would not have to worry about it being held against you in a court of law. However, keep in mind that if you get convicted, it would not be possible to get your DUI expunged. Hence, it is crucial to have a qualified attorney right from the beginning.

What happens if you get convicted of your first DUI in Allentown, Pennsylvania?

If you get convicted of your first DUI in Allentown, Pennsylvania, you may need to face other consequential penalties.

These additional penalties can include:

• Unable to qualify for insurance coverage or enormous increase in your insurance premiums
• Mandatory alcohol and drug assessment
• Conducting a Court Reporting Network evaluation with the Probation Department to evaluate your alcohol and drug use
• Required drug & alcohol treatment
• Random urine testing
• Court costs and fines
• Mandatory Ignition Interlock
• Suspended driver’s license for a full year
• Mandatory probation
• Jail time for up to six months

Conclusion

When you first get arrested for a DUI, you need to immediately call an attorney in Allentown, Pennsylvania. A skilled local attorney who is experienced in handling such cases could be of great help when you fight to get your charges dismissed.  

Attorneys who understand the DUI laws can comprehend the severity of your case and ensure that even if you get arrested, other elements of your life stay unaffected. If, as per the laws, it is not possible to dismiss the charges completely, an experienced attorney can help you in getting them reduced. You can also increase your chances of getting into the ARD with the help of an attorney.