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...
DUI
When do standard BAC limits not apply to a DUI arrest?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | May 14, 2024 | DUI
Driving under the influence (DUI) charges are among the most common criminal allegations filed against people in Pennsylvania. Drivers can get arrested if they encounter a sobriety checkpoint, if they end up involved in a crash or if a police officer pulls them over...
The impact of a DUI on a college student’s future
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Dec 20, 2023 | College Crime, DUI
When a person is convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in Pennsylvania, they face immediate penalties. These include fines, jail time, license suspensions, and even a requirement to have an ignition interlock device installed on their vehicles. But more than...
The open alcohol container law – Who’s banned from holding a drink?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Oct 12, 2023 | Criminal Defense, DUI
Per Pennsylvania law, driving while drunk or under the intoxicating effects of a controlled substance is illegal. Inebriation impairs a driver’s ability to react and motor skills, making them a danger to themselves and others on the road. The state also has laws that...
Can you be exempted from installing an ignition interlock device in your car?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Jun 8, 2023 | DUI
When you’re charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Pennsylvania, the court might order you to have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed on all your vehicles for up to a year. The devices act like breathalyzers, preventing you from starting your car...
The three levels of DUI in Pennsylvania
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | May 31, 2023 | DUI
It’s widely understood that to be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) must reach 0.08%. While all U.S. states observe this limit, Pennsylvania takes things further by making three tiers of DUI charges to...
The consequences of an underage DUI in Pennsylvania
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Jan 17, 2023 | DUI
Kids – especially teenagers and young adults – do a lot of foolish things, right? Most of them are just impulsive acts of mischief that don’t lead to any real consequences. This isn’t the case, however, when you’re talking about Driving Under the Influence (DUI) while...
What factors have to be present for a DUI conviction in Pennsylvania?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Jun 15, 2022 | Drunk Driving, DUI
A conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can upend your life in lasting ways. A momentary lapse of judgment can result in limitations on your prospects for work, education, and more – in addition to the fines and possible jail time that come...
Do drivers in Pennsylvania face implied content laws?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Apr 4, 2022 | DUI
Many drivers worry about the severe penalties associated with a criminal conviction for DUI in Pennsylvania. From jail time and fines to the installation of an ignition interlock device and the loss of driving privileges, criminal consequences can lead to a lifetime...
Will I lose my commercial license if I get a DUI?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Mar 22, 2022 | DUI
Your livelihood as a commercial truck driver is in jeopardy after DUI arrest because you know that under Pennsylvania law that a conviction will lead you to losing your license. The state refers to the loss of a commercial driver’s license as a “disqualification.”...
Pennsylvania court excludes BAC evidence in fatal DUI case
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Feb 12, 2021 | Criminal Defense, DUI
A Pennsylvania appeals court has ruled that prosecutors cannot introduce the results of a breath test in the case against a 49-year-old truck driver accused of striking and killing a firefighter while under the influence of alcohol. The appeals judges upheld a county...
Zero tolerance DUI laws for young drivers
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Feb 1, 2021 | Drunk Driving, DUI
Most drivers in Pennsylvania and around the country are only charged with DUI when toxicology tests reveal that they have blood alcohol concentrations of .08 or higher, but motorists under the age of 21 face drink driving charges for getting behind the wheel with even...
CDL DUI Laws- The Information You Need to Know
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Dec 30, 2020 | DUI
If you hold a Commercial Drivers' License (CDL), your license is how you most likely support yourself and your family. However, as a CDL holder, you also need to understand that the law holds you to a higher standard than other motorists. As a result, DUI charges and...
Drug-impaired drivers are a risk, but testing is problematic
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Dec 23, 2020 | Drunk Driving, DUI
Today, everyone knows the risks of driving while drunk. Organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have been educating the public about DUI for over 30 years. But few Americans know that the level of drug-impaired drivers on the roads is higher than drunk...
Will a DUI conviction impact my employment?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Dec 14, 2020 | DUI
When you are facing DUI charges, you have a lot of concerns. You aren’t sure what fines you will face, if you will have to spend time in jail and how long your license will be suspended. You also may be worried about if a DUI conviction will impact your employment....