DUI Defense Attorney for UPenn Students
The last issue a student at the University of Pennsylvania wants to contend with is driving under the influence (DUI) offense. While this may be one of the most common types of crimes committed by college students, criminal charges, and disciplinary actions from a college can drastically impact your academic and professional career. If you are a student at the University of Pennsylvania, and you were arrested for driving under the influence, you should consult with an experienced DWI defense attorney for UPenn students.
The Law Office of Lloyd Long will work tirelessly to help you pursue a desirable outcome to your DUI case. Our firm understands the importance of providing our clients with dedicated legal service, and we avoid taking a large volume of cases to accomplish that goal. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your case, contact The Law Office of Lloyd Long at (215) 302-0171, or contact us online.
Pennsylvania DUI Laws
In Pennsylvania, it is a crime to drive while under the influence of alcohol. It is also a crime to place yourself in a situation where you could drive a vehicle while you are intoxicated. For example, if you are sleeping in the driver’s seat of your vehicle and you placed the keys to the ignition in the glovebox, you are still in control of the vehicle, and you can be charged with a DUI offense.
It is important to note that Pennsylvania’s DUI laws also make it illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs. This law not only extends to prohibited drugs like marijuana but also to prescription medication that could make a person drowsy and slow to react while driving.
A driver is deemed to be intoxicated if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is at least .08%. A person that is arrested with a BAC of .08 to .099% will be subject to the least severe criminal penalties if convicted. In contrast, having a BAC of .16% or higher will typically result in the most severe penalties.
To determine whether a person committed a DUI offense, law enforcement will either test the driver immediately during the traffic stop or after the driver is taken into custody. Due to the implied consent law, refusing chemical testing can result in additional criminal penalties. Pennsylvania’s implied consent law states that all motorists on the roadways of the State of Pennsylvania have automatically consented to chemical testing to determine their level of sobriety.
It is also possible for a defendant to rebut law enforcement’s findings by performing a chemical test with a third party.
To learn more about the criminal penalties for DUI and how this offense might affect your academic career, continue reading and speak with an experienced Philadelphia criminal defense attorney.
Criminal Penalties for DUI
The criminal penalties for driving under the influence is directly linked to a defendant’s BAC level and their prior history of DUI offenses. For example, if a defendant is convicted for having a BAC level of .08 to .099%, this will trigger what Pennsylvania refers to as “general impairment penalties.” The mildest general impairment penalty for a DUI conviction is six months of probation and a $300 criminal fine if the defendant has no prior DUIs.
If a defendant has at least two prior DUIs and is convicted for a BAC level of no higher than .099%, the DUI offense can be upgraded to a second degree misdemeanor. In Pennsylvania, a second degree misdemeanor can mean up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The most severe DUI penalties could result in a defendant serving up to five years in prison if they are convicted.
Additionally, a second DUI charge in PA carries harsher penalties. A defendant who was previously convicted for DUI will likely have their license suspended and have an ignition interlock device installed on their vehicle once they are eligible to drive again. An ignition interlock prevents a person from starting their car if they are intoxicated.
A DUI conviction can have a substantial negative impact on your academic career. The University of Pennsylvania has a student code of conduct that can help you learn what to expect if you are convicted for driving under the influence. Under some circumstances, this may include being placed on some form of academic probation or possibly even losing access to scholarships. Our firm can help defend you in a disciplinary hearing conducted by UPenn.
Contact Our Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney to Handle Your DUI Case
If you are worried about how a DUI case and resulting behavior may affect your status as a student at UPenn, contact an experienced Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer today. DUI and lewdness defense lawyer for UPenn students Lloyd Long possesses over a decade of experience handling a wide range of criminal cases, and he would be proud to use that experience to represent you. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact The Law Office of Lloyd Long at (215) 302-0171.
