{"id":1247,"date":"2016-02-23T16:27:14","date_gmt":"2016-02-23T22:27:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/best-dwi-attorneys.net\/?p=1247"},"modified":"2016-05-24T10:53:41","modified_gmt":"2016-05-24T15:53:41","slug":"pennsylvania-dwi-and-dui-laws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/best-dwi-attorneys.net\/state\/pa\/pennsylvania-dwi-and-dui-laws\/","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania DWI & DUI Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pennsylvania DUI & DWI laws are different than most states. Rather than having a cut off for \u201cintoxication,\u201d they have a tiered system based on the level of registered blood-alcohol concentration (or BAC). The BAC level affects penalties, fines, driver\u2019s license suspension, and additional penalties.<\/p>\n

The legal limit is still .08% for non-commercial drivers that are above the legal drinking age. However, the amount at which the BAC is calculated carries a different weight in the eyes of the law. The three tiers are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. General Impairment:<\/strong> .08 to .099% BAC<\/li>\n
  2. High BAC:<\/strong> .10 to .159% BAC<\/li>\n
  3. Highest BAC:<\/strong> .16% and higher<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Penalties, Fines, & Suspension<\/h2>\n
    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    General Impairment: .08-.099% BAC<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
    Penalty<\/td>\n1st offense<\/td>\n2nd offense<\/td>\n3rd offense<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Sentence<\/td>\n6 months probation<\/td>\n5 days to 6 months in prison<\/td>\n10 days to 2 years in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Fine<\/td>\n$300<\/td>\n$300-$2,500<\/td>\n$500-$5,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Driver\u2019s License Suspension<\/td>\nNo action<\/td>\n12 month suspension<\/td>\n12 month suspension<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    High BAC: .10 to .159% BAC<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
    Penalty<\/td>\n1st offense<\/td>\n2nd offense<\/td>\n3rd offense<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Sentence<\/td>\n2 days to 6 months in prison<\/td>\n30 days to 6 months in prison<\/td>\n90 days to 5 years in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Fine<\/td>\n$500-$5,000<\/td>\n$750-$5,000<\/td>\n$1,500-$10,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Driver\u2019s License Suspension<\/td>\n12 month suspension (occupational limited license after 60 days)<\/td>\n12 month suspension<\/td>\n18 month suspension<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Highest BAC: .16% and higher<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
    Penalty<\/td>\n1st offense<\/td>\n2nd offense<\/td>\n3rd offense<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Sentence<\/td>\n3 days to 6 months in prison<\/td>\n90 days to 5 years in prison<\/td>\n1 year to 5 years in prison<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Fine<\/td>\n$1,000-$5,000<\/td>\n$1,500<\/td>\n$2,500 minimum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Driver\u2019s License Suspension<\/td>\n12 month suspension (occupational limited license after 60 days)<\/td>\n18 month suspension<\/td>\n18 month suspension<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

    Chemical Test Refusal<\/h2>\n

    If states with tiered penalties, compliance with chemical tests become increasingly important. Because the BAC levels are weighted, a chemical state can have a major impact in a DUI case. However, Pennsylvania is an \u201cimplied consent\u201d state, which means that anyone with a Pennsylvania driver\u2019s license has agreed to take a breath, blood, or urine test if arrested or stopped for a DUI.<\/p>\n

    If you do not comply with the chemical test, the state can suspend a person\u2019s driving privileges, even if that person is not found guilty for driving under the influence. If a person refuses a chemical test multiple times, the punishment is increased. All driver\u2019s license suspension for chemical test refusal is in addition to any punishment for the DUI conviction.<\/p>\n

    1st offense:<\/strong> 1 year driver\u2019s license suspension
    \n2nd offense:<\/strong> 18 month driver\u2019s license suspension
    \n3rd offense:<\/strong> 18 month driver\u2019s license suspension<\/p>\n

    Ignition Interlock<\/h3>\n

    Ignition Interlock devices are required for repeat offenders in Pennsylvania. A driver is required to have a dashboard breath tester installed in their vehicle for one year for the second offense and other following DUI convictions. The installation and maintenance fees are the responsibility of the driver.<\/p>\n

    Criminal Record<\/h3>\n

    In Pennsylvania, a DUI can stay on your record for up to 10 years. That means that the courts can (and, likely, will) use a previous DUI conviction to increase penalties in the event of another DUI. However, a standard DUI conviction will likely be a misdemeanor. A DUI per se in Pennsylvania is not a felony charge, regardless of the number of offenses. If there there are additional charges in association with the conviction, such as assault or manslaughter, it can be upgraded to a felony.<\/p>\n

    Minors<\/h3>\n

    Pennsylvania is a \u201cZero Tolerance\u201d state when it comes to minors drinking and driving. The state increases penalties for anyone under 21 that has a measurable amount of alcohol registered in a chemical test. If a minor registers .02% or above, they can be charged with a DUI. A DUI conviction for a person under 21 has hefty consequences, such as 2 days to 6 months in jail, 1 year driver\u2019s license suspension, and a $500-$5,000 fine.<\/p>\n

    <\/h3>\n

    More on PA\u00a0DUI Laws:<\/h4>\n

    Pennsylvania DUI Legislation: http:\/\/www.dmv.pa.gov\/Information-centers\/Laws-Regulations\/Pages\/DUI-Legislation.aspx#.VzyPc5ErKHu<\/a>
    \nPennsylvania Driver\u2019s Manual – Driving Under The Influence:     http:\/\/www.dot.state.pa.us\/Public\/DVSPubsForms\/BDL\/BDL%20Manuals\/Manuals\/PA%20Drivers%20Manual%20By%20Chapter\/English\/chapter_4.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Pennsylvania DUI & DWI laws are different than most states. Rather than having a cut off for \u201cintoxication,\u201d they have a tiered system based on the level of registered blood-alcohol concentration (or BAC). The BAC level affects penalties, fines, driver\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[545,500],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nPennsylvania DWI and DUI Laws | Punishments and Information<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This is the definitive guide to Pennsylvania DUI laws, fines, penalties, and everything else you need to know if you're facing a DUI conviction in PA.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/best-dwi-attorneys.net\/state\/pa\/pennsylvania-dwi-and-dui-laws\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Pennsylvania DWI and DUI Laws | Punishments and 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