In the state of Pennsylvania, there are three levels of DUI based on the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC). General impairment for drivers with a BAC ranging from .08% to 0.099%, High BAC for drivers with a BAC ranging from .10% to .159%, and Highest BAC for drivers with a BAC ranging from .16% and above.
General Impairment
Under the General Impairment classification, first-time DUI offenders may be charged with a $300 fine, may face up to six months of probation, may be ordered to seek drug and alcohol treatment, and will need to complete mandatory alcohol highway safety school.
Second-time Pennsylvania DUI offenders will be charged with a fine ranging from $300 to $2,500, will face a one-year license suspension, will be ordered to seek drug and alcohol treatment, will spend anywhere from five days to six months behind bars, will need to complete mandatory alcohol highway safety school, and will be required to use an ignition interlock system for one year.
Third-time DUI offenders in Pennsylvania will face license suspension for one year, will be placed behind bars from 10 days up to two years, will be charged with a fine ranging from $500 to $5,000, will be asked to seek drug and alcohol treatment, will be required to use an ignition interlock system for one year, and will also be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor.
High BAC
First-time Pennsylvania DUI offenders under the High BAC classification will face license suspension of one year, a fine ranging from $500 to $5,000, will be ordered to seek drug and alcohol treatment, will be asked to complete mandatory alcohol highway safety school, and will face anywhere from two days to six months behind bars.
Second-time DUI offenders will face a one-year license suspension, a fine ranging from $750 to $5,000, will have to complete mandatory alcohol highway safety school, will be required to seek drug and alcohol treatment, will be placed in jail for 30 days up to six months, and will be required to use an ignition interlock system for one year.
Third-time offenders will face a license suspension of 18 months, will be charged a fine of $1,500 up to $10,000, will be required to seek drug and alcohol treatment, will be required to use an ignition interlock system for one year, will be placed behind bars for 90 days up to five years, and will be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor.
If an individual has four or more DUI offenses, then he or she will face an 18-month license suspension, will be charged a fine of $1,500 up to $10,000, will be required to seek drug and alcohol treatment, will be required to use an ignition interlock device for one year, will be placed behind bars for one to five years, and will be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor.
Highest BAC
Under the Highest BAC classification, first-time DUI offenders will face a one-year license suspension, will be charged a fine ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, will be asked to seek drug and alcohol treatment, will be required to complete mandatory alcohol highway safety school, and will face jail time of 72 hours up to six months.
Second-time DUI offenders will face a license suspension of up to 18 months, will be charged a fine of $1,500 up to $10,000, will need to complete mandatory alcohol highway safety school, will be asked to seek drug and alcohol treatment, will face jail time of 90 days up to five years, will be required to use an ignition interlock system for one year, and will be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor.
For those with three or more DUI offenses, drivers will face an 18-month license suspension, will be charged a fine ranging from $2,500 up to $10,000, will be required to seek drug and alcohol treatment, will be required to use an ignition interlock system for one year, will be placed behind bars for one to five years, and will be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor.
Contact Us
If you are facing a DUI charge in Pennsylvania, it would be most advantageous for you to retain the legal services of a qualified and competent DUI attorney. Call Joseph McGraw today at (570) 282-7050 for a free and confidential consultation.