Alternative Punishments for DUI
If you are arrested for a DUI in Pittsburgh, you may face jail time, fines, and a driver’s license suspension upon conviction. Fortunately, a highly skilled Pittsburgh DUI lawyer from Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC may be able to negotiate alternative punishments for your DUI to help you avoid these harsh penalties.Some of these alternative punishments include house arrest, alternative housing, a diversion program such as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD), and alcohol and drug rehabilitation.
If you have been arrested for or charged with a DUI, contact our experienced DUI attorneys today at (412) 281-2146 to find out how we can help you.
House Arrest
House arrest is a better option than jail because it can give you the opportunity to serve out your sentence in the comfort of your own home while still continuing to work or go to school. In addition to leaving your home for work or school, you may also be granted the right to leave your home to attend alcohol abuse meetings, purchase groceries, and visit the doctor.
If you are on house arrest, you may be required to submit random alcohol and/or drug tests and can expect a small electronic monitoring device to be strapped to your ankle 24/7. This device is water resistant and designed to fit discretely under your pants.
Alternative Housing
Alternative housing can give you the opportunity to live in what is commonly referred to as a halfway house instead of jail. If you are living in an alternate housing facility, you may be allowed to attend work or school during the day but must return to the facility at night. Keep in mind that if you are housed in one of these facilities, you will have to adhere to a strict curfew and specific guidelines.
Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition
Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) is usually only available to first-time DUI offenders. With ARD, you may be able to stay out of jail and earn an expungement of your criminal record. If you are admitted into this program, you will avoid jail time and only lose your driving privileges for up to two months rather than 12 to 18 months. However, you will still be required to pay fines and be under court supervised probation for up to one year.
Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation
Alcohol and drug rehabilitation may also be used as an alternative punishment for a DUI. It will focus on your underlying alcohol or drug addiction and provide you with a variety of programs and treatments. Some of these programs and treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy and motivation enhanced therapy. This type of punishment is often required of people who are convicted of DUI; however, it can also be used as an alternative to more severe penalties.
Contact Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys Today
The punishments for a DUI in Pennsylvania are brutal. Even if you are a first time offender, you may have to spend up to six months in jail, pay up to $5,000 in fines, have your driver’s license suspended for up to one year, be forced to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, and pay higher car insurance premiums. If you’d like to determine if you qualify for less-harsh, alternative punishments, hiring an experienced Pittsburgh DUI lawyer from Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys is a smart decision. Call us today at (412) 281-2146.