DUI
DUI
If you have been charged with a DUI, this can be a very stressful and frightening time for you. Will I lose my driver's license? Will I go to jail? Will this remain on my criminal record? These and many other questions are likely going through your mind right now.The attorneys at Myers Duffy Dansak & Clegg understand the difficult questions that you are asking yourself. You will undoubtedly hear advice from friends or acquaintances that have faced a DUI charge in the past. You may search the Internet for information on what may happen in your case. The single most important thing you can do right now, however, is contact an attorney with experience defending DUI cases. Every DUI case is different, and the answers you come across from others or on the Internet may not be applicable in your case.
Did the police have reasonable suspicion to stop your vehicle? Did the police have probable cause to arrest you for DUI? Was the breath testing device calibrated properly? Was the blood evidence obtained and tested properly? These and myriad other questions can only be evaluated by an experienced attorney. Call our office for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your unique case and review the Affidavit of Probable Cause filed with the criminal complaint along with any other relevant factors.
Fair & Thorough Analysis of Your Case
In many cases, first time offenders are eligible for a pretrial diversionary program known as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD). Entry into the ARD program is often the most appropriate resolution of a first DUI offense, as it is not a conviction (although it does act as a conviction for purposes of sentencing on subsequent DUI offenses occurring within ten years), it results in a significantly shorter driver's license suspension, and it provides you with the opportunity to have the charges expunged from your criminal record upon successful completion of the program requirements. However, do not assume that because this is your first offense that you will be eligible for ARD. Several factors may prevent first time offenders from being eligible for the program. Appearing at your preliminary hearing without an experienced attorney places you at a disadvantage in the event that you are not provided with an offer to enter into the ARD program.
If this is your second or other subsequent offense within ten years of your first offense, it is even more important that you contact an attorney experienced in DUI defense. The penalties for two or more DUI offenses within a ten year period increase significantly and carry mandatory minimum sentencing requirements upon conviction. In the event that grounds for dismissal or reduction of the charges do not exist, or an acquittal is not achieved, the attorneys at Myers Duffy Dansak & Clegg may be able to minimize the impact of the mandatory minimum sentencing requirements on your life in the event that you are convicted of, or plead guilty to, such an offense.
The Pennsylvania
DUI laws are complex and ever-changing. You owe it to yourself to speak with an attorney about the facts of your unique case as soon as possible.
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