- Will I lose my license?
- Will I go to jail?
- How much will my fines be?
- Will I have to attend traffic school?
- Will the arrest go on my record?
- Do I have to tell my job?
Free PA DUI Info (Easy to Understand Language)
First of all, understand that even though this is your first offense, it does not mean it’s “no big deal.” In fact, the 1st offense DUI charge is usually the one that can be defended the easiest. The government will almost certainly prosecute you. If you are convicted, the consequences will follow you forever. Let’s take a look at the laws and penalties of a DUI 1st in Pennsylvania if you are convicted.
First Offense DUI Penalties
If it is a drugged involved DUI case, there are special rules and considerations. For more on DUID cases, please see this article: Pennsylvania DUI Drugs or DUI-D Laws
For alcohol based prosecutions, the penalty of a First Offense DUI conviction in PA depends on how much alcohol was in your bloodstream. This is called the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). The higher your BAC, the higher the penalties you can expect.
The State of Pennsylvania defines three tiers of impairment based on your BAC:
1. General Impairment
Criteria
- BAC between .08 and .099%
- Incapable of safe driving
- No injury or property damage
- Refusal to take a blood test
Penalties
- Up to six months probation
- No license suspension
- No mandatory jail time
- A fine of $300
- Surcharges and court fees not typically less than $300
- Treatment when ordered
- DUI school
- Typically ARD eligible
- No ignition interlock
2. High Impairment
Criteria
- BAC between .10 and 0.159%
- Minor BAC .02 and 0.159%
- General Impairment BAC with an accident
- School Bus Driver with BAC between 0.02% and .159%
- Commercial Vehicle with BAC between .04 and 0.159%
Penalties
- Prison sentence of between two days and six months
- License suspension for 12 months (interlock eligibility immediately)
- Fines between $500 and $5,000
- Surcharges and court fees not typically less than $300
- Treatment when ordered
- DUI school
- Typically ARD eligible
3. Highest Impairment
Criteria
- BAC of .16% or higher
- Controlled substance DUI
- Refusal to submit to a breath test or refusal to submit to a search warrant for blood
Penalties
- Prison sentence of a minimum of three days to a maximum of six months
- License suspension for 12 months (interlock eligibility immediately)
- Fines between $1,000 and $5,000
- Surcharges and court fees not typically less than $700
- Treatment when ordered
- DUI school
- Typically ARD Eligible
Other Important Things to Know
- A DUI conviction, even a first offense, goes on your permanent, public criminal record. That means future employers, landlords, lenders, and anyone with an interest in your past can see it. This definitely included your insurance company. Drivers convicted of DUI often see a marked increase in their car insurance rates and can be dropped by their insurance provider altogether.
- What sort of costs you can expect in a DUI (including DUI Lawyer Costs)
Get an attorney right now
As you can see, the penalties of a First Offense DUI are no joke. If you find yourself accused of a First Offense DUI in Pennsylvania, the experienced DUI lawyers at The McShane Firm can help to minimize or eliminate the charges against you.
Additional recommended reading:
- Problems with DUI Blood Tests in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania DUI Laws and your Professional License (Military too)
- CDL holder and DUI charges
- Pennsylvania DUI FAQ (Free Information, Easy to Understand)
- PA DUI Blog
- Free PA DUI Info (Easy to Understand Language)
- DUI Lawyer Costs
- DUI Trial Procedure
- Pennsylvania DUI Attorneys
- Pennsylvania DUI Laws and your Professional License
- How To Find The Best DUI Lawyer in Pennsylvania
2nd DUI With Refusal
I couldn’t have asked for a better attorney than Tim. He was so patient with me through the whole process and answered every question I had regardless of how stupid they were. This was my second DUI in 4 years and I refused any testing which calls for an automatic license suspension. Tim fought Penndot on the refusal charge and won and also took my DUI case to trial and won. NOT GUILTY on everything. He is worth every penny I spent. If you are looking for a great attorney I would highly recommend Tim.
Jodie
DUI
Justin McShane and his entire staff made me feel like they took my case personally and really cared about a suitable outcome of my case. All my calls and questions and emails were answered very quickly. I would highly recommend The McShane Firm for any representation.
C.A.
The best of the best in DUI cases. Worth every penny. 8 years later and I still can’t thank you guys enough.
T.M.
Best DUI Defense in PA
I was falsely accused of Driving Under the Influence with Reckless Endangerment of my young son in the car. I was in jeopardy of losing custody of my only child. Thanks to Tim, this tragedy was avoided. Tim strategically fought for me to convince the jurors that the Commonwealth’s witnesses should not be believed. He used his experience to ‘splain the truth to the jury. With just the right balance of charm, mild indignation, logic, truth telling, humor, personal anecdotes, relationship building, power of persuasion, professional acumen, trial experience, and so much more, Tim achieved success for me. He’s worth every penny. Tim did great, and I’ll always be grateful!