West Chester DUI License Suspension Attorney

At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our  DUI lawyers are experienced at contesting license suspension charges including charges of driving on a suspended license while you have a pending Dui suspension.  These DUI-related suspension citations are traffic tickets with mandatory jail time and require experienced counsel. Talk to our West Chester DUI defense lawyer today.

How Long Is a DUI License Suspension in West Chester?

A person convicted of a DUI will receive a license suspension dependent on several factors, including their age, type of license, prior charges, and BAC level. Consider the following factors that play a role in the length of your suspension.

BAC Level

Under Pennsylvania law, there are three levels of impairment recognized. The higher the impairment, the higher the potential for consequences. This includes:

• General impairment (lowest level): .08 to .099%
• High impairment: .10 to .159%
• Highest impairment: .16% or higher

Those with a first offense with general impairment may not automatically lose their license. If your impairment is either a high or the highest impairment, you will lose your license for 12 months with a DUI conviction.

Other Factors

There are other factors that can also lead to a suspension of license.

• If you are a CDL holder or have another type of professional driver’s license, you could lose your license for 12 months if your BAC is .04% or higher – which is much lower than general impairment.
• If you are a school bus driver and have a BAC of over .02%, you will face a 12-month license suspension.
• Those who are under the age of 21 and have any alcohol in their system could face a 12-month license suspension.

Refusing a Blood Test

Those who refuse a blood test at the time of their arrest are faced with an automatic 12-month suspension of their license. It is very difficult to maintain your license if you refuse this test. If you are currently being asked to submit a blood test, call your DUI attorney immediately to learn what your next step is before you refuse the test.

Second or More Offenses

For those who have been convicted of a DUI in the past, you could face elevated consequences this time. This includes any instance of a previous conviction of DUI in the past 10 years. If that is your situation, you could face an 18-month license suspension.

If you are a CDL driver and this is your second offense in the last 10 years, you could lose your license permanently.

Additional Possible Complications

While license suspension is a big factor, note that a DUI conviction also means you will have a criminal record. DUI could be considered a misdemeanor charge, and depending on the severity of your case, you could face fines and jail time in some situations.

A person with the highest BAC level, for example, without any previous DUI offenses on their record, could receive an ungraded misdemeanor, a 12-month license suspension, 72 hours but up to 6 months in prison, a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, and required alcohol highway safety school.

Because of how critical this type of charge can be, working with a skilled West Chester DUI license suspension attorney is critical to protecting your future. Do not wait for your case to go to court. Hire an attorney now who can help you minimize these risks.

It Is Possible to Fight Your DUI Charge

There are various legal defense strategies your DUI attorney in West Chester can help you consider if you wish to fight your charges. The key here is to contact an attorney as soon as possible and then navigate the various options and legal limits that may be present.

It may be possible to:

• Determine the police officer did not have probable cause to pull you over
• The BAC testing was inaccurate
• You were not driving the vehicle

It may also be possible to work to have your charges reduced. This may help you protect your license privileges and may minimize the jail time risks you face.

You Can Get Your License Reinstated in Many Situations

There are some situations in which you can reinstate your driver’s license. If this is your first DUI offense, and you had a BAC that was at the general impairment level, you may be able to take several steps to protect your license:

• We can devise a legal strategy to prove your innocence.
• The Ignition Interlock Program may be an option for some people
• You may be able to obtain an Occupational Limited License or work permit, which will allow you to drive for work purposes only.
• You can apply for a probationary program to try to get your driving privileges back.

If you were arrested, you do not have a DUI conviction yet. What you do in the time after your arrest matters. Working with a trusted, experienced DUI license suspension attorney in West Chester is the best route forward for you. Contact our team to learn how we can help you navigate this process.

Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition Program

Another important strategy for first-time DUI offenders is the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program. This program allows people who are arrested with DUI for the first time to apply to the court for a second chance through this type of first-time offender program. If you are accepted into the program, the DUI charge is suspended (it is not eliminated). That means it does not get admitted into the criminal justice system in the same manner. The court will set contingencies for you based on the situation.

If you complete the program successfully, the charges are dropped against you. After 30 days, you can then request that they also be expunged from your license.

To qualify for this program, the District Attorney’s office must approve it. They will consider various factors, including any criminal history you may have. Because this is a very important method for reducing your risk of being labeled a criminal and going to jail, it is critical to arm yourself with the help of an experienced DUI attorney.

Work with our DUI license suspension attorney in West Chester if you believe you could qualify for the ARD program. It could give you a way to protect your rights moving forward. Our attorneys can help you put your best face forward to qualify.

Contact A West Chester DUI License Suspension Attorney Today

Based in suburban Philadelphia at 304 North High Street, West Chester PA 19380, our West Chester criminal defense lawyers make your choice all the clearer with locations throughout metropolitan Pennsylvania.

We serve Downingtown, Paoli, Media, Norristown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Reading, and Allentown.  For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced DUI attorney at Ciccarelli Law Offices, contact us at (610) 692-8700 or toll-free at (877) 529-2422.