A drunk driving conviction in McKeesport can have serious consequences. You might lose your driving privileges, pay heavy fines, or even spend time in jail. The state might also make you attend counseling sessions or install an ignition interlock device in your car. Furthermore, a DUI arrest can hurt your reputation and impact your job.
The stakes are too high to leave the outcome of your case to chance. Instead, turn to a seasoned defense team to defend your rights and seek the best outcome possible. SMT Legal has successfully represented many people accused of drunk driving, and our legal team has decades of combined legal experience we can use to develop a robust defense strategy for your unique circumstances.
Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with DUI defense lawyers serving McKeesport, and let us protect your future.
Facing a DUI charge can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do so alone. DUI cases often involve complicated legal issues, such as whether the police followed proper procedures during your traffic stop, the accuracy of breathalyzer results, or the efficacy of field sobriety tests. A lawyer with experience handling DUI cases can identify these issues, challenge weak evidence, and protect your rights throughout the legal process.
Without legal representation, you are at greater risk of harsh penalties, such as losing your driver’s license, steep fines, or even jail time. Prosecutors know the system inside and out, and without a lawyer of your own, you’re at a disadvantage. An attorney can help level the playing field, negotiate with prosecutors, and explore options to reduce or dismiss your charges.
The benefits your lawyer provides extend beyond the courtroom, as they can also provide peace of mind during a challenging moment. Your DUI defense attorney can keep track of crucial deadlines, handle the paperwork, and negotiate with prosecutors on your behalf, allowing you to focus on rebuilding your life.
A DUI charge can be a turning point, but the right defense lawyer can guide you through the process, protect your future, and make this difficult time easier to manage.
Pennsylvania law forbids anyone from driving if they have consumed enough alcohol to prevent them from safely handling a vehicle. State law also prohibits anyone from driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher, as this is the level at which the state assumes drivers are too intoxicated to operate a vehicle safely.
There are also three “tiers” of drunk driving offenses under Pennsylvania law. These tiers align with different levels of intoxication, and the potential penalties you face depend on which tier applies to your situation:
BAC of 0.08-0.099 percent
BAC of 0.10-0.159 percent
BAC of 0.16 percent or higher/impairment by controlled substances
Within these tiers, the penalties you might face depend on aggravating factors and whether you have prior DUI convictions. For instance, the penalties for a first-time DUI with a BAC of 0.08 do not include an automatic driver’s license suspension, whereas the penalties for a BAC of 0.08 with a prior DUI conviction include a 12-month suspension. The penalties for a drunk driving conviction also escalate dramatically if you caused a collision that injured or killed someone.
A drunk driving arrest is the start of your case, not the end of it, and your actions after an arrest can significantly affect its outcome. Here’s what to do to protect your rights and avoid making your situation worse:
If the police ask you to perform any field sobriety tests, politely refuse. You don’t have to submit to these tests, and performing them can only hurt your case. The same is true for roadside breathalyzer tests.
If the police take you into custody to perform a chemical blood, breath, or urine test, it’s usually best to comply. Not complying with a chemical DUI test is a violation of Pennsylvania’s implied consent law and grounds for an automatic driver’s license suspension for at least 12 months. A skilled attorney can help you challenge the results of a chemical test to protect your driving privileges.
Do not say anything to the police or prosecutors other than to ask for a lawyer. Remember that the authorities can and will use anything you say against you.
Try to remember as much detail as possible about the traffic stop and your subsequent arrest. Write down your recollection as soon as you’re able to.
Hire an attorney as soon as possible and tell them as much about what you remember of the incident as possible. A DUI defense lawyer serving McKeesport can examine the details of your case for ways to reduce your charges, have them dismissed, or fight them in court.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, your DUI defense attorney can pursue a defense strategy that involves:
Challenging the traffic stop leading to your arrest.
Looking for errors in how the police conducted a chemical test or handled the evidence in your case.
Showing how you had a medical condition that may have affected the results of a chemical test.
Examining the equipment used to conduct a chemical test for any issues that may have affected your test results.
Seeking alternative sentencing options to help you avoid the most severe consequences of a conviction.
If you’ve been arrested on suspicion of DUI in McKeesport, you need a seasoned defense team to stand between you and the full force of the criminal justice system. SMT Legal is prepared to offer you the advocacy and support you need during this challenging time. Contact us now or reach out online for a free consultation with our DUI defense lawyers serving McKeesport, and let’s stand up for justice together.
Our Pennsylvania DUI defense attorneys are ready to discuss your case wherever and whenever is most convenient for you. If you’d like to visit our office, here’s how to find us at 114 Smithfield Street
in Pittsburgh.
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