How to Handle an Underage DUI in PA
Pennsylvania DUI laws can be very strict. If you or a loved one are arrested and charged with underage DUI, these laws can place you in jail and require you to pay large fines. Even first DUI offenses can cause a legal nightmare for an underage offender. It can be overwhelming if you or an underage loved one are arrested and placed in jail while facing a DUI charge. In order to protect your future after an underage DUI arrest, you need an experienced defense attorney to help you during this time.
With an extensive understanding of Pennsylvania law, the attorneys at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC understand the DUI process and how it can affect the lives of those charged with underage offenses. To speak with an experienced student and underage crimes attorney about your case, contact our office as soon as possible at (412) 281-2146.
What To Do If You Are Arrested For Underage DUI
If you are ever arrested for anything, it’s important to be cooperative with the officers. After your arrest, it is important to seek out a skilled lawyer to help clear your name and move on with your life. It is advisable to write down everything that you can remember about the incident that resulted in your arrest. Even the smallest detail could help your lawyer.
Pennsylvania’s implied consent law regarding drivers means that by driving on the road, you agree to take a blood alcohol content (BAC) breath or chemical test when requested by law enforcement. While this does not mean that police can physically force you to take such a test, it does mean that you will be facing an automatic one-year suspension of your driver’s license if you refuse. Submitting to a test is advisable, and your attorney can seek to remove any test results that may be tainted or inappropriately gathered.
Punishment For Underage DUI In Pennsylvania
In order to crack down on incidences of underage DUI, officials have been known to seek license suspensions for up to one year in addition to large fines for individuals charged with this crime. A person who is under 21 years of age is considered to be intoxicated when driving with a BAC of .02 percent or higher, which is substantially lower than the BAC limit of .08 percent for those 21 years of age and older.
For a first time underage DUI offense, you could be facing the following:
- A suspended license for up to 12 months
- Up to 90 days in jail
- Fines reaching up to $5,000
- Completing an alcohol highway safety course
- Drug treatment or community service
If you have previously been found guilty of an underage DUI, a second or third offense could result in significant punishment. For a second underage DUI offense, you face up to six months in jail and fines of up to $2,500. For a third offense, you risk a minimum sentence of one year in jail, and fines reaching up to $10,000.
While insurance providers tend to vary on handling clients with DUIs, monthly premiums have been known to go up for those who are in this situation.
Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC Can Help You
An underage DUI can be very intimidating and overwhelming for everyone involved. These cases are taken very seriously by law enforcement and prosecutors, and being found guilty of an underage DUI can result in large fines and a long suspension of your driver’s license. Additionally, DUI convictions can show up on a background check, making getting a job or into school more difficult. To clear your name of an underage DUI charge and to protect your future, you need an experienced Pittsburgh DUI lawyer from working for you.
Contact Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC to speak with an experienced Pittsburgh DUI attorney about your case and how we can help. Call us today at (412) 281-2146, or contact us online.