DUI First Offense (No Prior Pa DUI Offenses Within The Last 10 Years)

BAC: .08% to .099%. Ungraded misdemeanor with a 6 month maximum probation and a $300.00 fine. No loss of license and no jail time.

BAC: .10% to .159%. Ungraded misdemeanor with a mandatory 48 hour imprisonment up to a possible 6 months and a $500.00 to $5,000.00 fine. License suspension of 12 months. Possible to get an Occupational Limited License (OLL) after serving a 2 month suspension.

BAC: .16% or higher, refusal to give a blood or breath sample, or drugs. Ungraded misdemeanor with a mandatory 72 hour imprisonment up to a possible 6 months and a $1,000.00 to $5,000.00 fine. License suspension is 12 months. Possible to get an Occupational Limited License (OLL) after serving 2 months suspension.

DUI Second Offense

BAC: .08% to .099%. An ungraded misdemeanor with a mandatory 5 days imprisonment 6 month maximum jail sentence and a $300.00 to $2,500.00 fine. License suspension of 12 months. Ignition Interlock for 12 months.

BAC: .10% to .159%. An ungraded misdemeanor with a mandatory 30 days imprisonment 6 month maximum jail sentence and a $750.00 to $5,000.00 fine. License suspension of 12 months. Interlock for 12 months.

BAC: .16% or higher, refusal, or drugs. A misdemeanor of the First Degree with a mandatory 90 days imprisonment 5 year maximum jail sentence and a $ 1,500.00 to $10,000.00 fine. License suspension of 12 months. Required Ignition Interlock for 12 months.

DUI Third Offense

BAC: .08% to .099%. A misdemeanor of the Second Degree with a mandatory 10 days imprisonment 2 year maximum jail sentence and a $500.00 to $5,000.00 fine. License suspension of 12 months. Ignition Interlock for 12 months.

BAC .10% to .159%. A misdemeanor of the First Degree with a mandatory 90 days imprisonment 5 year maximum jail sentence and a $1,500.00 to $10,000.00 fine. A license suspension for 18 months. Ignition Interlock for 12 months.

BAC .16% or higher or a refusal. A misdemeanor of the First Degree with a mandatory 1 year imprisonment 5 year maximum jail sentence and a $ 2,500.00 to $10,000.00 fine. A license suspension for 18 months. Ignition Interlock for 12 months.

DUI Fourth Offense

BAC .08% to .099%. A misdemeanor of the Second Degree with a mandatory 10 days imprisonment 2 year maximum jail sentence and a $500.00 to $5,000.00 fine. A license suspension of 12 months. Ignition Interlock for 12 months.

BAC .10% to .159%. A misdemeanor of the First Degree with a mandatory 1 year imprisonment 5 year maximum jail sentence and a $1,500.00 to $10,000.00 fine. A license suspension of 18 months. Ignition Interlock for 12 months.

BAC .16% or higher or a refusal. A misdemeanor of the First Degree with a mandatory 1 year imprisonment 5 year maximum jail sentence and a $ 2,500.00 to $10,000.00 fine. A license suspension for 18 months. Ignition Interlock for 12 months.

As you can see, penalties for multiple offenses or for higher BACs can be particularly harsh. Many people believe that they cannot afford a DUI defense attorney and instead try to handle their cases on their own. However, a strong and effective defense can reduce the penalties you face and can often save you money in the end – not to mention helping you avoid jail time and a conviction whenever possible.

Court-ordered penalties are far from the only potential consequences of a DUI conviction. For instance, a conviction can affect your job in different ways. First, if you drive as part of your job, having your license suspended or having an ignition interlock device requirement can make it impossible to perform your job. In this situation, there are ways your attorney can argue for a hardship license or for an exception to the ignition interlock requirement for your work vehicle.

Even if your license is not suspended, your employer may have a policy that they do not employ drivers who have DUI convictions. Such policies can also keep you from getting jobs in the future. Additionally, a DUI conviction – especially multiple convictions – can prevent you from obtaining or keeping a professional license. Insurance costs can also go up extensively for a long period of time following a DUI conviction. These are only some of the many collateral consequences of having a conviction on your record.