Being charged with a DUI can bring about feelings of guilt, shame, anger, and anxiety. Depending on your case’s circumstances, you might face hefty fines, license suspension, or jail time.
Worse, a criminal record could follow you for the rest of your life. If you face a DUI charge, finding a qualified DUI defense attorney as soon as possible is crucial.
SMT Legal’s experienced attorneys provide aggressive DUI defense strategies to residents of Pine Township and greater Allegheny County.
When your future is on the line, call (412) 765-3345 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.
DUI laws are complicated. Even first-time offenses can result in severe penalties. While you aren’t legally obligated to hire a lawyer, having professional guidance is recommended.
A qualified DUI defense attorney will:
Without an attorney, you risk missing opportunities to defend yourself. An attorney advocates for you throughout the legal process to protect your rights and keeps your best interests at the forefront.
We understand the seriousness of DUI charges and their potential to negatively impact your life. Our experienced DUI defense attorneys have successfully defended clients facing DUI charges in Pine Township and Greater Pittsburgh.
SMT Legal offers our clients the following:
The SMT Legal team will explore every available legal option to minimize the penalties for your charge and reduce its impact on your life.
Pennsylvania’s DUI laws are among some of the strictest in the country. Penalties depend on factors like blood alcohol content (BAC), prior offenses, and if it involves other aggravating circumstances, like a car crash.
In Pine Township and throughout the state, DUI offenses are categorized into tiers based on BAC and level of impairment:
Generally, high and highest BAC, along with repeat offenses, result in more severe penalties.
While most DUI charges stem from consuming alcohol before driving, law enforcement also charges people with DUI if they believe they are under the influence of other drugs. Additionally, other factors can impact the severity of penalties for your DUI offense. These include:
When a DUI results in serious injuries or death, consequences can include more serious criminal charges such as aggravated assault, vehicular manslaughter, or even homicide. Convictions for these offenses can carry severe penalties. A person may face long-term prison sentences, significant fines, and a permanent criminal record. In some cases, individuals may face civil lawsuits from an injured party or their family members.
BAC level, prior offenses, or whether an accident occurred all determine which penalties are enforced. Consequences include:
In addition to legal consequences, a DUI charge can lead to higher insurance rates, damage your reputation, or create potential challenges in securing employment or housing.
We understand that facing DUI charges can be fraught with anxiety. Our team is committed to protecting your rights throughout the legal process by developing a thorough and aggressive strategy.
We begin by conducting a detailed review of the circumstances surrounding your arrest. This includes analyzing police reports and video footage of your arrest. Our team examines the procedures followed during your stop, field sobriety tests, and breathalyzer or blood test results. Then our DUI defense attorneys look for potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. These might include:
Our goal is to find opportunities to challenge the evidence brought against you to build a strong case. If the evidence against you is strong, we may explore the possibility of a plea agreement. A plea agreement may result in reduced charges, lighter penalties, or alternative sentencing options, like community service. We always try to minimize the impact of the DUI charge on your life.
Being arrested for a DUI can feel scary and overwhelming, and you must take immediate action to protect your rights. Take these steps during and after your arrest:
A qualified attorney will help you to gather evidence and compile information about the arrest, such as getting a copy of the police report.
Facing a DUI charge is stressful. Fortunately, you don’t need to go through this alone. Contact SMT Legal today for a free, confidential initial consultation. Our experienced DUI attorneys will review your case, answer your questions, and develop a targeted defense strategy for your case. Get started by calling (412) 765-3345 or contact us online. Protect your future today.
SMT Legal is located at 114 Smithfield St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. To visit us:
Take I-279 S toward Pittsburgh. Take Exit 2A for Fort Duquesne Blvd. Merge onto Fort Duquesne Blvd, then turn right onto Sixth Ave. Continue onto Smithfield Street. The destination will be on your right.
Take I-79 N and merge onto I-376 E toward Pittsburgh. Take Exit 71A for Grant St. Merge onto Grant St, then turn left onto Sixth Ave. Turn right onto Smithfield Street. The destination will be on your right.
Take I-376 W toward Pittsburgh. Take Exit 71A for Grant St. Merge onto Grant St, then turn left onto Sixth Ave. Turn right onto Smithfield Street. The destination will be on your right.
Take I-376 E toward Pittsburgh. Take Exit 69C for Stanwix St. Merge onto Fort Pitt Blvd, then turn left onto Stanwix St. Turn right onto Fourth Ave, then turn left onto Smithfield Street. The destination will be on your left.
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