According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were a total of more than 12,000 roadway crashes that involved drivers that were operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs in 2017. Among these accidents, there were 270 fatalities. Aside from injuries and property damage, a DUI conviction costs a driver roughly $10,000. This cost results from expenses including legal fees, fines, automobile insurance rate increases, and more.
Northampton County Accident Data
|
2016 |
2017 |
|
|
Total Crashes |
3,125 |
3,092 |
|
Crashes Involving Impaired Driver |
305 |
295 |
|
Crashes Involving Speeding |
111 |
95 |
|
Crashes Involving Distracted Driving |
387 |
346 |
Accelerated Rehabilitated Disposition (ARD) and Alternative Sentencing Program (ASP) Programs
First-time DUI offenders in Northampton County may be appropriate for ARD. This is an alternative probationary program that ultimately may result in having the DUI offense removed from your criminal history. The total expenses associated with the program, court courts, and fines are estimated to be roughly $1,750. The ASP program is reserved for second-time offenders that allow for alternatives to the mandatory 30 days in jail.
Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
You may be charged with DUI if you “drive, operate, or have physical control” of a vehicle after consuming an amount of alcohol that results in an inability to safely operate. Motorists are required to submit to chemical testing if law enforcement personnel suspect the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Refusing to submit to a test will result in a suspension of driving privileges. Alcohol impairment is generally determined through a breath test and the legal limit is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 08%.
You may also be charged with DUI if it is determined that you are under the influence of drugs. This is typically determined through a blood test to determine if certain drugs or their metabolites exist. This applies to Schedule I controlled substances such as heroin, LSD, or marijuana or Schedule II or III controlled substances when the driver does not have a prescription from a doctor.
Three Levels of BAC
- General: .08 to .099%
- High: .10 to .159%
- Highest: .16% or more
Penalties for First-Time DUI Offenders
All offenses are misdemeanors and require attendance at an “alcohol highway safety school” program and a drug and alcohol assessment. For the general category, the offender is subject to a $300 fine and six months of probation. The high-level offender is subject to a 12-month driver's license suspension, a minimum of 48 hours in jail, and a fine of between $500 and $5,000. The penalties for the highest level include a 12-month license suspension, a minimum of 72 hours in jail, and a fine of between $1,000 and $5,000.
Pennsylvania Ignition Interlock Law
An ignition interlock device is one that is installed on a vehicle that requires the driver to submit a breath sample before the vehicle's ignition will operate. For a first-time offender, those in the high or highest BAC level will be subject to this requirement to obtain occupational driving privileges during their suspension period. Offenders are responsible for paying the leasing and installation costs of the equipment.
DUI Defense Lawyer in Northampton County
Those who have been arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs should promptly seek legal counsel. The penalties for DUI in Pennsylvania are increasingly stringent. Our Criminal Law Team are attorneys that are extremely familiar with this area of legal practice and you are encouraged to contact the office at (888) 535-3686.
