Driving under the influence (DUI) charges are quite common in Pennsylvania. People who otherwise follow the law consistently might make the mistake of driving home from a party or dinner out with friends after one too many drinks. It is quite common for people to assume that prior good behavior and cooperation with the state might lead to lenient treatment. However, entering a guilty plea to a DUI charge can be a major mistake, even if the person accused has no prior criminal record.
The penalties that the courts can impose include incarceration and large fines. People can also potentially lose their driver’s license. The loss of a license can be inconvenient and might even cost someone their job. If someone is accused of their first-ever DUI offense, are they at risk of losing their driving privileges?
First offenses can cost someone their license
The circumstances of someone’s arrest influence the charges they face and the penalties the courts can impose. Drivers who cause crashes often face harsher penalties than those arrested for being over the legal limit. Drivers with particularly high blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) also face more serious consequences than those who are only slightly over the limit.
A first-time DUI may not lead to a license suspension. If someone has a BAC between 0.08 and 0.99%, there is no mandatory license suspension. If their BAC is between 0.10 and 0.159%, then the courts could suspend their driver’s license for up to 12 months. Although the license suspension remains the same for a BAC of 0.16% or more, the state does increase the other penalties possible.
Higher BAC offenses can also lead to a requirement to install an ignition interlock device in the vehicle after regaining driving privileges. In addition to paying for an IID, drivers can also expect to pay substantially more for car insurance as well.
Those facing a DUI charge can retain their license by avoiding a conviction. Planning a successful defense strategy is often a better response to a DUI charge than pleading guilty in the hopes of lenience. Understanding the consequences the courts might impose can incentivize people to fight the charges they face.
