Third Offense DUI Lawyer Chester County
Those charged with a third DUI in the state of Pennsylvania could be in serious trouble, which absolutely requires speaking to a highly qualified Pennsylvania DUI attorney. Although the legal process may be much the same as for prior DUI charges, the penalties and consequences are likely to be significantly increased. While the Fifth Amendment allows those ordered to submit to a BAC test the right to say “no,” Pennsylvania laws allow the police to obtain a warrant to run DUI tests which cannot be refused. Refusing a BAC test could result in immediate suspension of the person’s driver’s license.There are three “tiers” for Pennsylvania DUI penalties: the lowest tier penalty is for a BAC of .08 to .99, the next highest tier penalty is for a BAC of .10 to .159, and the highest tier penalty is for a BAC of .16 or more. Under the lowest tier of charges, a third DUI offense can result in the following:
- • From $500-$5,000 in fines;
- • From ten days to twenty-four months in prison;
- • A license suspension for one year;
- • The potential for a court-ordered alcohol or drug treatment program, and
- • A year of having an ignition interlock device installed on the vehicle.
A third offense for the middle tier adds six months to the license suspension, an increase in prison time from 90 days to sixty months, an increase in fines from $1,500 to $10,000. The potential for a court-ordered alcohol or drug treatment program as well as a year of an ignition interlock device remain the same. The highest tier third offense brings a license suspension for a year and a half, from twelve to sixty months in prison, fines up to $10,000, the potential for a court-ordered alcohol or drug treatment, and the installation of an ignition interlock device for one year. There is a “lookback” period of ten years, when determining whether a DUI is a third offense.
Further Consequences of a Third DUI
Aside from spending time in jail or prison, losing your license, paying significant amounts of fees and fines, attending drug or alcohol treatment and dealing with an ignition interlock device, a person in Pennsylvania who is looking at a third offense DUI will also suffer additional consequences. A conviction for a third DUI makes it likely auto insurance will be dropped or that the rates will skyrocket to a prohibitively expensive level. Without a license, employment may become impossible, and even future employment can become difficult or impossible with a third DUI conviction on a person’s record. Obtaining a professional license, government-based student loan or even owning a firearm may be barred to the person with a third DUI conviction.
Being convicted of a third offense DUI in the state of Pennsylvania can alter your life forever. Speaking to a knowledgeable, experienced DUI defense attorney could well be your only avenue for lessening some of the worst consequences of such a conviction. Despite the fact this is your third arrest for DUI, your attorney can still offer a valid defense on your behalf.
Contact Our Chester County DUI Defense Attorneys
The DUI defense attorneys of Ciccarelli Law Offices have successfully represented individuals throughout the state of Pennsylvania that have been arrested and charged with DUI. Our Chester County based law firm is based at 304 North High Street, West Chester PA 19380 and serves clients in Kennett Square, Downingtown, West Chester, Coatesville, Exton, Chester Springs, Chadds Ford, Landenberg, Honey Brook, Oxford, Malvern, Parkesburg, Phoenixville and Paoli.
Penalties on 3rd Offense DUI offenses and subsequent convictions can result in stern penalties and incarceration. Our legal team is experienced in defending and representing clients in third offense DUI cases in contesting dui stops, dui arrests and dui penalties.
Based in suburban Philadelphia at 304 North High Street, West Chester PA 19380, we make your choice all the clearer with locations throughout the metropolitan Philadelphia Pennsylvania, including Center City Philadelphia, West Chester PA, Malvern (serving Downingtown/Exton PA), Kennett Square PA, Lancaster PA, King of Prussia PA, Plymouth Meeting PA, Radnor and Springfield PA.
We serve Downingtown, Paoli, Media, Norristown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Reading and Allentown. For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Pennsylvania DUI Attorney at Ciccarelli Law Offices, by contacting us at (610) 692-8700 or toll free at (877) 529-2422.