First Time DUI Consequences

Being arrested for DUI carries significant consequences based on various factors. These include the individual’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and whether there are drugs, either prescribed or illegal, present in their system. To navigate this situation, it is crucial to seek the assistance of a skilled Pittsburgh criminal attorney.

Pennsylvania categorizes DUI offenses into three tiers, determining the penalties and fines imposed for a first-time offense. These tiers are Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. If an individual is arrested with a BAC of 0.16 percent or higher, it falls under Tier 3, the most severe tier. This BAC is twice the legal limit in Pennsylvania. Additionally, refusing to undergo blood, breath, or urine testing and having illegal narcotics or prescription medications in the system can also escalate a DUI to Tier 3, also known as Highest DUI.

For a Tier 3 offense, the penalties may include fines ranging from $1,500 to $5,000, a jail sentence of three days to six months, mandatory community service depending on the county, and a mandatory alcohol evaluation interview (CRN) along with safe driving classes. Furthermore, the individual’s driver’s license would be suspended for one year.

If the BAC for a first-time DUI offense falls between 0.10 and 0.159, it is classified as a Tier 2 DUI, also known as a High DUI. Penalties for a High DUI include a jail sentence ranging from two days to six months and a one-year driver’s license suspension.

When facing a DUI charge, one cannot underestimate the impact of the license aspect in Tier 2 or Tier 3 cases. That’s why hiring a skilled and assertive Pittsburgh DUI lawyer becomes crucial. An experienced Pittsburgh DUI attorney can provide several advantages, such as enrolling you in the First Offender Program to reduce your driver’s license suspension. In some cases, they can even help you avoid suspension entirely, depending on the circumstances.

A Tier 1 DUI, often referred to as a General Impairment DUI, is the least severe DUI offense, applicable when a person’s BAC is between 0.08 percent and 0.999 percent. For first-time offenders, there are no jail time or license suspension penalties involved.

Pennsylvania’s First Offender Program, also known as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD), serves as an alternative for first-time DUI offenders, focusing on their rehabilitation rather than punishment. Completing the program successfully can lead to dropped charges and the possibility of expunging the DUI arrest from your criminal record.

To qualify for the ARD program, you must have no prior DUI convictions, a valid registration, and driver’s license at the time of the arrest, and no involvement in an accident related to the DUI offense.

If you or a loved one have been arrested for a DUI for the first time, it is vital to seek assistance from a knowledgeable Pittsburgh criminal attorney who specializes in DUI law and defenses. The Logue Criminal Defense team has served countless DUI clients and can offer their expertise. Serving the Pittsburgh, area as well as West Virginia and Ohio, we provide a free initial consultation. Contact us today at 844.PITT.DUI visit our website for more information.