Montgomery County First Offense DUI Lawyer

Understanding Your DUI Charges

If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, it’s essential to understand the charges against you. A DUI charge is a serious offense that can have severe consequences, including fines, jail time, and a suspended license. In Pennsylvania, the severity of the penalties often depends on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the arrest and whether there were any aggravating circumstances, such as an accident resulting in injury or death.

A first-offense DUI charge is typically considered a misdemeanor, but it can still lead to significant penalties. For instance, a higher BAC can result in harsher fines and longer license suspensions. Understanding the specific DUI laws in Pennsylvania is crucial, as they dictate the potential outcomes of your case. Consulting with a knowledgeable DUI attorney can help you navigate these complexities and develop a strategy to address your charges effectively.

First Offense DUI Attorney and ARD Program

Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. According to Pennsylvania law enforcement, even a first-time mistake of drinking and driving merits severe consequences. Pennsylvania laws take a harsh stance against driving under the influence (DUI) to deter others from behaving similarly. However, if your DUI/DWI/DAI arrest was your first, you may qualify for the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program.

Do I Qualify for an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program(ARD)?

ARD is a program offered in Pennsylvania that is designed to keep first-time offenders out of the criminal justice system. Completion of ARD will resolve your case entirely without ever reaching a verdict. Driver’s license suspension is kept to a minimum, there is no time spent in jail, and—most importantly—you will have no criminal record. In some cases, community service may also be required as part of the sentencing for a first-offense DUI. If this is your first offense, you may qualify for ARD programs.

In sum, the ARD program offers you the chance for a speedy resolution to your drunk driving arrest, which you are well-advised to accept in good faith. A knowledgeable Montgomery County DUI lawyer can guide you through the ARD process with as little disruption to your life as possible. Stay out of jail. Protect your clean record. Retain your driving privileges. Contact to schedule a free initial consultation after a first-time DUI arrest.

What to Expect After a DUI Arrest

After a DUI arrest, you can expect to be taken into custody and booked at the local police station. During this process, you will have the opportunity to make a phone call to a friend or family member to arrange for transportation and to contact a DUI attorney. It’s essential to exercise your right to remain silent and not answer any questions from the law enforcement without the presence of an attorney.

Once you’re released from custody, you will be given a court date to appear before a judge, usually within a few weeks of the arrest. Hiring a DUI attorney as soon as possible is crucial to ensure you have proper legal representation. A skilled DUI attorney can help you understand the charges against you, explain the legal process, and develop a defense strategy to minimize the consequences of a DUI conviction. This proactive approach can significantly impact the outcome of your case.

Helping You Avoid the Effects of a License Suspension in Pennsylvania

After a first-time DUI arrest, completing the ARD is the best way to put the trouble behind you and go on with your life as freely as before. For many people, a driver’s license suspension, while not as severe as jail time, is the worst outcome in a DUI case. Without being able to drive to work as usual, some people lose their jobs and even their homes due to one drunk driving arrest. Marriages may be strained, and it can tarnish one’s good name forever. Having adequate legal knowledge is crucial to navigate the complexities of DUI cases and to minimize the impact on your life.

DUI defense attorneys at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford possess over 65 years of combined experience defending the rights and freedoms of individuals in Montgomery County and throughout Pennsylvania. Our talented team of attorneys includes former prosecutors with insight into how the prosecution handles first-time offenders. We are here to help you put this challenging time behind you to move forward in your life.

What Are the Consequences of a First-Offense DUI in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania establishes DUI penalties based on the blood alcohol content (BAC) found in a driver’s blood when they’re arrested. While a judge can modify the penalties based on the presence of a criminal record and whether the DUI involved injuries, the general sentences for a first-time DUI in Pennsylvania are as follows:

• BAC .08 to .099:  Fines up to $300 and probation for up to six months.
• BAC .10 and up: A jail sentence of up to six months, fines of up to $5,000, and driver’s license suspension for up to 12 months.

The severity of the penalties can increase with each subsequent DUI offense, making it crucial for first-time offenders to seek legal advice.

Additionally, you may be required to attend alcohol education classes and install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your car to monitor your BAC before getting behind the wheel. However, keep in mind these are general guidelines for penalties. DUI defense lawyers at Rubin, Glickman, & Gifford, P.C. advocate fiercely to help our clients avoid or reduce the severity of consequences.

How Can I Avoid a DUI Conviction in Montgomery County, PA?

The best way to avert a DUI conviction is to avoid an arrest for drunk driving in the first place. Think ahead to any plans for events or evenings when you may drink alcohol and plan to use a rideshare service, ride with a friend who’s not drinking, or take public transportation. If you’re at a bar and need to call for a ride home, bar owners are usually glad to allow guests to leave their vehicles in the parking lot overnight so they can get home safely. 

After having a drink, you might believe that you can still drive without issues. However, one of the effects of alcohol is impaired judgment. After a few drinks, you cannot trust your decision-making process. The wisest thing to do is remove the temptation and plan to call a rideshare service or cab whenever you go out and drink alcohol.

Next Steps in Your DUI Case

After hiring a DUI attorney, the next step is to review the evidence against you. This includes examining the police report, any video or audio recordings, and the results of any field sobriety tests or breathalyzer tests. Your attorney will also scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the arrest, looking for any potential errors made by the police that could be used to challenge the DUI charges.

Your attorney will then develop a defense strategy tailored to your case. This may involve filing motions to suppress evidence, challenging the validity of the breathalyzer test, or negotiating a plea bargain with the district attorney. In some instances, it may be necessary to take the case to trial, where your attorney will present evidence and argue on your behalf to a judge or jury. Throughout this process, having experienced legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your DUI case.

Speak with an Experienced First-Offense DUI Defense Lawyer in Montgomery County for Free Today

Even a first-time DUI can lead to long-term complications in Pennsylvania, making it essential to consult with experienced DUI attorneys. Our first-offense DUI lawyers in Montgomery County, PA, offer clients the benefit of our knowledge and experience, which may be critical factors in the outcome of their drunk driving cases. Our attorneys are former prosecutors with in-depth knowledge of all Montgomery County and Bucks County local courts.

For over 65 years, our firm has provided award-winning legal services to clients throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. If you’re facing a DUI charge in Montgomery County, get in touch with us as soon as possible to learn your legal rights. Schedule a free consultation with a seasoned DUI defense lawyer today by calling 215-822-7575 or completing a contact form.