Wexford DUI Lawyer

Top-Rated DUI Defense Attorney in Wexford, PA

Were you arrested on suspicion of intoxicated driving in Wexford, Pennsylvania? If so, turn to the team at SMT Legal to help you fight back.

Contact us today for a free initial case evaluation with a DUI defense lawyer serving Wexford, and let’s discuss your next steps together.

Why Choose a DUI Lawyer from SMT Legal?

Don’t put your rights and freedoms at risk by facing the criminal justice system alone. Instead, choose the DUI lawyers at SMT Legal to help you because:

• Our team has decades of combined legal experience. We leverage our collective knowledge and insights to develop innovative, tailored legal solutions to help you navigate the complexities and challenges in your case.
• When you turn to us for help resolving DUI charges, you can rest assured we will leave no stone unturned in seeking the best possible results under the circumstances of your case.
• Our firm diligently works to ensure you receive personal attention and responsive communication throughout your case so you never feel like you must face the criminal justice system alone.

Christopher P. Thomas

Partner Criminal Defense Attorney

Your Future. is Our Present

Schedule a Consultation

Call/Text an Attorney Today 412-448-6887

Understanding DUI Laws in Wexford

Under Pennsylvania law, a driver may face arrest and prosecution for DUI if they drive, operate, or exercise actual physical control over the movement of a vehicle after consuming sufficient alcohol or drugs to become incapable of safe driving, a Schedule I dug, a Schedule II or III drug not prescribed to the driver, or with a blood/breath alcohol content of 0.08 or more. However, minors may not drive with a BAC of 0.02 or more, nor may drivers operate a commercial vehicle or school bus with a BAC of 0.04 or more.

Pennsylvania also has an implied consent law, which presumes that every driver who operates or exercises actual physical control over the movement of a vehicle agrees to submit to chemical testing of their breath or blood to detect alcohol or drugs after a DUI arrest. A driver who refuses chemical testing following a valid DUI arrest may face civil penalties, including suspension of their driver’s license.

Consequences of a DUI Arrest and Conviction in Wexford

In Pennsylvania, a DUI conviction can lead to various penalties for drivers. The specific penalties in a DUI sentence will depend on multiple factors, including a driver’s blood/breath alcohol content, their history of DUI offenses, and aggravating factors such as underage drunk driving, intoxicated operation of a commercial vehicle, or causing an accident that results in property damage or injury.

Penalties for DUI convictions involving an undetermined BAC or a BAC of 0.08 to 0.099 include:

• First offense: Up to six months of probation, a $300 fine, requirement to attend alcohol safety school, a one-year ignition interlock requirement, and a requirement to attend alcohol/drug treatment if ordered by the court
• Second offense: Five days to six months in jail, a fine of $300 to $2,500, a one-year ignition interlock requirement, a requirement to attend alcohol safety school, a 12-month driver’s license suspension, and a requirement to attend alcohol/drug treatment if ordered by the court
• Third or subsequent offense: Ten days to two years in jail/prison, a fine of $500 to $5,000, a one-year ignition interlock requirement, a 12-month driver’s license suspension, and a requirement to attend alcohol/drug treatment if ordered by the court

Penalties for DUI convictions involving a BAC of 0.10 to 0.159 include:

• First offense: Forty-eight hours to six months in jail, a fine of $500 to $5,000, a one-year ignition interlock requirement, a requirement to attend alcohol safety school, a 12-month driver’s license suspension, and a requirement to attend alcohol/drug treatment if ordered by the court
• Second offense: Thirty days to six months in jail, a fine of $750 to $5,000, a one-year ignition interlock requirement, a requirement to attend alcohol safety school, a 12-month driver’s license suspension, and a requirement to attend alcohol/drug treatment if ordered by the court
• Third offense: Ninety days to five years in jail/prison, a fine of $1,500 to $10,000, a one-year ignition interlock requirement, an 18-month driver’s license suspension, and a requirement to attend alcohol/drug treatment if ordered by the court
• Fourth or subsequent offense: One to five years in prison, a fine of $1,500 to $10,000, a one-year ignition interlock requirement, an 18-month driver’s license suspension, and a requirement to attend alcohol/drug treatment if ordered by the court

Penalties for DUI convictions involving a BAC of 0.16 or more or intoxication by controlled substances include:

• First offense: Seventy-two hours to six months in jail, a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, a one-year ignition interlock requirement, requirement to attend alcohol safety school, a 12-month driver’s license suspension, and a requirement to attend alcohol/drug treatment if ordered by the court
• Second offense: Ninety days to five years in jail/prison, a fine of $1,500 to $10,000, a one-year ignition interlock requirement, a requirement to attend alcohol safety school, an 18-month driver’s license suspension, and a requirement to attend alcohol/drug treatment if ordered by the court
• Third or subsequent offense: One to five years in prison, a fine of $2,500 to $10,000, a one-year ignition interlock requirement, an 18-month driver’s license suspension, and a requirement to attend alcohol/drug treatment if ordered by the court

In some cases, a driver charged with DUI in Wexford may pursue alternatives to conviction, such as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, in which the driver agrees to abide by specific conditions, such as probation, community service, treatment programs, and driver’s license suspensions.

Potential Defenses to DUI Charges

Even when police stop and test a driver for DUI, they may have various legal defenses available to challenge the prosecution’s case. Some common defense strategies used in DUI cases include:

• Challenging the legality of the traffic stop: A defendant may seek to exclude the evidence in the prosecution’s case by arguing that the arresting officer lacked reasonable suspicion or probable cause of DUI or another traffic criminal offense to stop the defendant or prolong a valid traffic stop.
• Challenging the reliability of field sobriety testing: When the prosecution’s case relies on the arresting officer’s use of field sobriety tests, a driver may highlight issues that affected their performance on the tests, such as uneven or wet ground or personal health conditions like arthritis or inner ear problems.
• Challenging chemical test results: A defendant may contest the reliability of a breath or blood test by arguing that officers failed to follow testing protocols, used uncalibrated testing equipment, or failed to preserve the chain of custody of blood samples before testing.

How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help with Your DUI Case?

If you’ve been charged with DUI in Wexford, a criminal defense attorney from SMT Legal can help you fight for a favorable resolution to your charges by:

• Investigating your case to secure evidence that can help us prepare and pursue effective case strategies
• Ensuring you understand your charges and the potential consequences to assist you in making informed decisions about how to proceed at each stage of your case
• Identifying and challenging weaknesses in the prosecution’s case to give you a better chance of success
• Evaluating alternatives that may allow you to avoid the consequences of a conviction
• Fighting for a positive outcome to your case, even when you choose to go to trial on your charges

Protecting your rights. Restoring your future.

This Changes Everything. We’re Ready Anyway.

Call/Text Now : 412-448-6887

Contact Our Firm Today to Discuss Your Options

You need experienced legal guidance and advocacy to protect your rights and interests after a DUI arrest in Wexford. Contact SMT Legal today for a free, confidential consultation with our legal team to learn how we can defend your reputation and future against the potential consequences of a DUI conviction.