Plum DUI Lawyer

Plum DUI Defense Attorney in Plum, PA

The consequences of getting a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction in Plum can be harsh. The Plum Borough Police Department and other law enforcement agencies vigorously pursue arrests and convictions against drivers they believe are under the influence.

You deserve an experienced Plum DUI defense attorney who will protect your freedom and interests just as vigorously.

SMT Legal knows the stakes are high when you are facing DUI charges. Aside from jail and fines, you could lose your driving privileges, have to install an ignition interlock device, and face other sanctions. We will take your DUI case seriously and pursue all available defenses. Contact us immediately after your DUI arrest in Plum to get started.

DUI in Pennsylvania: What You Need to Know

Do not believe the lie that says you are not driving under the influence if your alcohol concentration is less than 0.08. While 0.08 is considered the legal limit in Pennsylvania, it is not necessary for a conviction that your alcohol concentration exceeds this limit. You can be found guilty and sentenced for DUI if you:

• Consume any amount of alcohol and are too impaired to drive safely
• Ingest any illegal drug that negatively affects your ability to operate your vehicle
• Take a prescription or over-the-counter medication that leads to impairment
• Combine alcohol with any drug and cannot safely drive as a result

It does not matter in Pennsylvania if you have a valid prescription for the drug you consumed before driving. Your doctor may have prescribed you a painkiller following your recent surgery. Or you may have a medical marijuana card from another state to help with anxiety. In either case, a court can still find you guilty of DUI.

The question in a Pennsylvania DUI case is not so much what you consumed as whether it affected your ability to drive safely. Focusing on the wrong issues in your case can lead to an unnecessary conviction. Let SMT Legal’s lawyers serving Plum take charge of your defense and use our experience for your benefit.

Christopher P. Thomas

Partner Criminal Defense Attorney

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Call/Text an Attorney Today 412-448-6887

Penalties for DUI in Plum

The penalties you could face following a DUI conviction depend on both the number of prior convictions you have and the alcohol concentration in your system. Specifically, the fines and jail sentences for DUI are as follows:

No Prior Convictions

If you have no prior DUI convictions, you could face between zero and six months of probation if your alcohol concentration was between 0.08% and 0.099%. This time increases to between 48 hours and six months in prison if your alcohol concentration is between 0.10% and 0.159%. If your concentration was over 0.16%, you would face 72 hours to six months in jail.

Fines range from a minimum of $300 with an alcohol concentration below 0.99% to a maximum of $5,000 if it is over 0.16%.

One Prior DUI Conviction

If you have one prior DUI conviction from within the previous 10 years on your record, you would face a minimum of five days in jail if your alcohol concentration was at least 0.08%. The maximum sentence you could receive under these circumstances is five years in prison if your alcohol concentration was above 0.16%.

Fines range from a minimum of $300 to a maximum of $10,000.

Two or More Prior DUI Convictions

With two or more DUI convictions on your criminal record within the previous 10 years, you are facing significant penalties if you are convicted of DUI. At a minimum, you would be sentenced to ten days in prison. Your maximum prison sentence could be up to five years.

The minimum fine the court would impose would be $500, and the maximum fine that the court could impose would be $10,000.

Other Penalties and Considerations

If you have three or more prior convictions and your current DUI charge involves an alcohol concentration between 0.10% and 0.159%, you could face additional penalties. These could include one to five years in prison and a fine between $1,500 and $10,000.

Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or refuse breath tests are treated as if they have the highest alcohol concentration. That means you face 72 hours in jail and a $1,000 fine if you have no prior DUI convictions.

If you have two or more previous DUI convictions, you face one to five years in prison and a fine between $2,500 and $10,000.

Beyond these penalties, a DUI conviction can also result in the court or state:

• Placing you on probation for months or years
• Suspending your driving privileges
• Requiring you to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicles

A strong defense challenging the prosecution’s narrative is essential to avoiding these harsh consequences. SMT Legal and its team of Plum DUI attorneys commit to providing rigorous advocacy. Contact SMT Legal with your questions and concerns.

Steps Your Plum DUI Defense Attorney From SMT Will Take

Your Plum DUI defense attorney from SMT Legal does not believe in waiting for the prosecution to act. From the moment you retain SMT Legal, your attorney will work on resolving your case. Specifically, your lawyer will:

Secure Your Release

If you are arrested, your lawyer will first work to secure you an affordable and reasonable bond. If you do not have a criminal history, the court could agree to release you on your own recognizance.

Otherwise, your attorney will argue for the least restrictive conditions of release possible. An affordable and reasonable bond will allow you to return home and work.

Review the Prosecution’s Evidence

Prosecutors like the Alleghany County District Attorney’s Office have the job of proving your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Your lawyer will familiarize themselves with the evidence the prosecutor’s office intends to use to meet this burden. Your attorney will scrutinize law enforcement reports and witness statements for weaknesses to expose.

Conduct an Independent Investigation

Next, your lawyer from SMT Legal will gather any additional evidence necessary to understand the circumstances of your arrest. This step could involve talking to eyewitnesses or submitting biological samples for additional testing. This independent investigation will further expose weaknesses and holes in the prosecution’s case.

Assert Your Rights

Overeager law enforcement officers can easily violate your constitutional rights when pursuing a DUI arrest. If this happens in your case, your attorney will move to suppress such evidence and keep it from being used against you. A successful motion to suppress can damage the prosecution’s case, leading to a more favorable resolution.

Pursue a Favorable Plea Agreement

Once your attorney understands the ins and outs of your case, they will discuss potential resolutions with you. Then, with your permission, your lawyer will seek to reach a favorable resolution with the prosecution. This approach can save you time and allow you to move on quickly from your DUI arrest and legal issues.

Protecting your rights. Restoring your future.

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Challenge Your Charges at Trial

You always retain the right to take your case to trial. If you and your attorney decide this is the best course for you, trust SMT Legal’s knowledgeable and skilled advocates to present your case competently at trial. We will hold the prosecution to their legal burden and work to exclude illegally obtained and irrelevant evidence at every turn.

Contact SMT Legal Today

If you need experienced and professional help with your Plum DUI charge, look no further than SMT Legal. Contact us today, and let us help you quickly and successfully put your DUI charge to rest. Call us today.