DUI Defense Attorney
DUI • DWI • DUI
In Pennsylvania, the penalties for driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), and driving after imbibing (DAI) have grown stiffer through the years as the public has demanded more restrictions on drunk driving. These restrictions, however, throw a wide loop and may pull into their snare people who are not guilty. If you have been stopped and arrested on charges of DUI, whether you are a student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania or another local college, contact my office, Corey J. Riddell, Attorney at Law, to discuss your options.
Illegal Stops · Faulty Breathalyzers · Field Sobriety Test Errors
At every step of the process, when law enforcement officers detain suspected drunk drivers, they must follow legal procedures. When they are in a hurry to arrest the driver suspected of DUI or DWI, they can make errors. If you have been stopped and arrested for DUI, don't hesitate to contact my office. I have over a decade of experience defending Pennsylvania citizens stopped for drunk driving in and around Westmoreland County and the surrounding towns, cities, and counties. I will review the stop and the arrest from every angle and advise you regarding whether it is likely the case can be successfully pled out or whether we should take it to trial.
In Pennsylvania, the threshold for the standard DUI requires a breath alcohol content (BAC) of only .08 percent. Despite this threshold, a person can be charged with DUI with a BAC as low as .05 percent if other evidence shows impairment. Commercial drivers can be charged with drunk driving with a BAC of only .04 percent. If a person is stopped with a BAC of .10 percent (high rate) or .16 percent (highest rate) or greater, he or she faces enhanced penalties. The high rate and highest rate offenses carry significantly stiffer penalties in terms of jail time and fines. Multiple offenses in the enhanced categories can cost as much as $5000 to $10,000 in fines and months to years in jail.
The only safe alcohol level is .00 percent BAC.
License Suspension · Revocation
Among all the penalties of a DUI/ DWI conviction in the state is the potential for losing the privilege to drive. Defense of your drivers license against suspension in the civil hearings may be as important as pursuing your defense in the DUI DWI criminal court. At the very least, I will fight for your ability to have an occupational or provisional license that will allow you to drive to work and for other important family obligations.
Driving Under Suspension
If you have been caught driving under suspension and are convicted, you may have a great deal of difficulty keeping your license. Contact my office for skilled legal defense so that you don’t lose your license or your job.
Underage Drinking
For minors picked up for DUI, which needs only a .02 BAC, and convicted, license suspension is almost a certainty. If your child has been arrested for underage drinking and driving, contact my office to discuss options for defense.
Learn more about my overall Criminal Defense practice by visiting my Criminal Law Page.
Major Credit Cards Accepted
Call today toll free 1.888.238.7296
Corey J. Riddell, Attorney at Law
219 E Main St
Ligonier PA15658
Phone: 724-238-7296
Toll Free: 1-888-238-7296
Fax: 724-238-7299
www.pa-criminal-defense-lawyer.com
Corey J. Riddell provides skilled criminal defense and estate planning services to clients throughout the region, including Blairsville, Ebensburg, Greensburg, Hidden Valley, Indiana, Irwin, Johnstown, Latrobe, Ligonier, Murrysville, North Huntington, Seven Springs, and Somerset, and other communities along the I -70 corridor, including Cambria County, Indiana County, Somerset County, Westmoreland County, and more.
