If you are facing DUI charges, you probably have many questions and concerns about this complicated and worrisome process.
Upon conviction for drunk driving, you may have to pay a large fine, spend time in jail, and lose your driver’s license for a year or more. Your conviction will also appear on your permanent criminal record.
If you are facing DUI charges, the lawyers at the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., can provide all the answers you need and help you make the right decisions for your future. In addition, we can build a strong case in your defense, protecting your legal rights and ensuring the best possible outcome in your case.
For help, contact us today at 610-680-7842. Schedule a free consultation to talk to a DUI lawyer in Newtown, PA.
How Will a Newtown DUI Conviction Affect Me?
State law mandates that, in addition to jail time or probation, you must pay a substantial fine—possibly as much as $10,000—and lose your driver’s license for up to 18 months after a DUI conviction. You must also attend alcohol highway safety school and, potentially, an alcohol treatment program. In most cases, you must also install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.
Once you do your time and pay your fines, you will still have the conviction on your permanent record.
This means that every time someone runs a background check on you, your DUI conviction will show up. This can prevent you from renting a home or car, getting a job, or obtaining professional licensure in many fields.
Finding auto insurance may be difficult and your car insurance premiums will skyrocket, as well.
For a free legal consultation with a dui lawyer serving Newtown, call (610) 680-7842
Will I Go to Jail for a DUI Conviction?
As you will see in the penalty chart below, only first-offense DUIs do not require mandatory jail or prison time. A first-time conviction does, however, carry up to six months of probation.
In Pennsylvania, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for DUI is .08 percent. The DUI penalty system uses three tiers to determine the severity of your offense, depending on your BAC at the time of your arrest and any prior drunk driving convictions you may have on your record.
As you can see, having prior DUI convictions on your record or having a BAC above .099 percent significantly increases the penalties for conviction. The best way to avoid these penalties—and stay out of jail—is to fight your charges with the help of one of our DUI lawyers.
Newtown DUI Lawyer Near Me (610) 680-7842
Will I Go to Jail for a Newtown PA DUI Conviction?
Ideally, we can persuade the prosecutor to dismiss or drop your charges. Or, if necessary, we can build a case and fight your DUI charges in court.
When we take on your case, we will carefully examine and analyze the prosecutor’s evidence against you. We will look closely to identify any potential problems or weaknesses that could help bolster your defense.
During a traffic stop, the arresting officer must follow specific laws and procedural guidelines. If the officer violated these requirements during your stop, we may successfully leverage those errors to your benefit. Problems with chemical BAC testing procedures or processing may also offer an opportunity to improve the outcome of your case.
Some of the most common DUI arrest errors are as follows:
- An illegal DUI checkpoint;
- An illegal traffic stop;
- The lack of reasonable suspicion of driver impairment;
- The failure to inform you of your legal rights;
- Problems encountered during field sobriety testing;
- The use of faulty breathalyzer equipment; and
- Utilizing faulty breath testing procedures.
The sooner you let one of our lawyers get to work on your case, the sooner we can review the evidence and identify potential problems or errors.
If we can demonstrate problems with reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or the validity of any testing procedures, these can provide an invaluable approach for negotiating with the prosecutor. If your case goes to court, we can leverage any problem like this to convince the jury of your innocence.
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Can I Have a DUI Removed From My Record?
If you face first-time DUI charges, you have one option for removing—or expunging—the charges from your criminal record. That is through the Bucks County Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program.
This program is available only to first-time, non-violent offenders. You must apply for ARD and the court must accept you into the program. You must also plead guilty to your DUI charges.
Participating in ARD will cost approximately as much as conviction; however, it can reduce the duration of your license suspension and may result in an automatic expungement of your charges from your criminal record.
Our lawyers can explain the benefits of ARD and let you know if you qualify. If so, we can help you apply.
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Finding a DUI Lawyer in Newtown, PA
The DUI attorneys at the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., will protect your legal rights and explain all of your options for dealing with your drunk driving charges. We will examine the prosecution’s evidence against you to identify weak areas and use them to build a case in your defense.
Our DUI lawyers are familiar with the local court system. This provides a number of advantages and lets the prosecutor know that you have a powerful advocate fighting for your rights.
Attorney David C. McKenzie III has extensive experience working as a prosecutor and has handled DUI cases from the other side. This provides a unique advantage for your drunk driving defense.
Our firm represents DUI clients with compassion and diligence, protecting your legal rights through every aspect of the process. Mr. McKenzie will explain all of your options and help you make the best choice for your future.
Contact the McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., today to learn more. We offer a complimentary consultation and case review to answer all your questions and help you decide your next steps. Calls us at 610-680-7842 to schedule your appointment or speak to a lawyer.
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