In early November, Monroe Crime Watch reported that a Pocono Township woman was arrested while driving under the influence with her child in the rear passenger seat. After swerving between lanes on Interstate 80 and nearly striking other vehicles on her way to a fast-food restaurant, police officers were able to respond quickly and arrest the woman before any accidents took place.

If you're facing DUI and child endangerment charges in Pennsylvania, the path forward can seem daunting, embarrassing, and impossible. Our dedicated LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team has extensive experience defending parents with DUI charges and is committed to achieving the best possible outcome in your case. Contact us today at 888-535-3686 or our online contact form.

Pennsylvania DUI Law

Under Pennsylvania Law, drivers can face DUI charges not only if they are driving above the legal alcohol limit but also if they are deemed to be driving in an impaired state, regardless of their exact alcohol level. 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. §3801-3817. Although the difference between these two bases may seem minute, the evidentiary processes for each look very different. For example, prosecutors may have a much easier time “proving” someone was driving while under the influence if they can point to a breathalyzer, blood, or urine tests that all read above the legal alcohol limit. Prosecutors may have a more difficult time, however, proving that a driver was “driving in an impaired state,” a subjective approach that can vary depending on the witnesses involved.

So, while DUI cases may seem hopeless, strategic defenses can target the state's charges. Among others, some possible defenses include questioning the legitimacy of things such as the legality of the traffic stop, disputing the results of various BAC test results, and questioning officer testimony, reports, or administrative processes.

DUIs and Child Endangerment Charges

Although organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and DARE have made headway in modern times, DUIs remain an ongoing safety crisis in Pennsylvania and the rest of the country. DUI penalties in the state can range from fines to extended license suspensions and jail time. If you are driving under the influence of alcohol with kids in your car, a DUI can lead to enhanced child endangerment charges and extended license suspension periods.

Independent of your DUI charges, a child endangerment charge can have cascading effects on the rest of your family's life, including loss of custody or child visitation rights, increased insurance costs as well as costs related to mandatory education or rehabilitative programs such as DUI school or community service, and even child protective services involvement from ChildLine Referrals. Beyond these concrete consequences, parents facing DUI charges and especially child endangerment charges often feel a significant amount of shame, which can affect their mental health, job performance, and personal relationships with family and friends.

Pennsylvania DUI Attorneys

It's important to note that the specific consequences of your DUI case will depend on your unique circumstances. These charges don't need to define your future or your family. Our seasoned LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team takes a comprehensive approach and will tailor a strategic defense strategy that addresses the DUI and child endangerment charges head-on. Contact us today at 888-535-3686 or our online contact form.