Penalties for a DUI Conviction in Montgomery County, PA
Get information on the punishment and penalties you face if convicted of a DUI in Pennsylvania
Being charged with a DUI is a stressful situation for anyone. The potential loss of freedom to drive and the headaches of the court process and the paperwork and the alcohol safety meetings are only the beginning, especially if you are found guilty.
But the penalties can vary county by county, depending on your past criminal record and your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level at the time of the arrest.
In Montgomery County, the first thing to do after a DUI arrest is to schedule the CRN evaluation. Whether you live in Norristown, Abington, Lower Merion Township, or Pottstown, you should know what to do next and what to expect if you were charged with DUI and understand the DUI Court Process in Montgomery County.
Know the Penalties for a DUI Conviction
Penalties for a DUI conviction in PA are separated into three tiers – Lowest, High, and Highest.
For a first-time DUI in Montgomery County at the lowest tier, you are still facing a misdemeanor conviction, six months of probation, and a $300 fine, plus a loss of license, other fines, and having to attend Alcohol Highway Safety School and take the CRN evaluation (a $75 fee) for other possible alcohol treatments.
At the highest tier, a first-time DUI offender in Montco faces a mandatory 72 hours in jail and a maximum of six months in jail, a misdemeanor, up to $5,000 in fines, and a one-year license suspension, among other fines and treatment programs you may be required to attend.
Penalties are much higher for a second DUI, third DUI or subsequent offense. A new 2018 bill (SB 961) passed in Pennsylvania making repeat DUI convictions a felony.
You can also view the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing DUI Statute.
Also, read the PA Code 75 Chapter 38 Driving After Imbibing Alcohol or Utilizing Drugs
A DUI arrest is NOT a conviction
It is important to remember that just because you were arrested does not mean you are guilty. Until you have been convicted, you still have rights and you can fight the DUI charges.
An aggressive and experienced DUI Lawyer in Montco County can help you fight the charges, with the ultimate goal of having your charges reduced or dismissed altogether. Talk to Attorney Saadzoi about your case – all initial phone consultations are free of charge.
There are several options that you may be eligible for that could help keep you from going to jail and losing your license. For instance, you may qualify for the ARD Program in Montco County if you are a first-time DUI offender.
Do Not Fight DUI Charges Alone
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PA DUI Attorney Saadzoi
610-566-5956
SENTENCING GUIDELINES – DUI IN PENNSYLVANIA
Tier 1: General Impairment (BAC .08 – .099)
- 1st Offense DUI: A misdemeanor, six months probation, and a $300 fine;
- 2nd Offense DUI: A misdemeanor, five days to six months in jail, a $300 -$2500 fine, and a one-year license suspension;
- 3rd Offense DUI: 2nd-degree misdemeanor, ten days to two years in prison, a $500 -$5,000 fine, and a one-year license suspension.
Tier 2. High Rate (BAC .10 – .159)
- 1st Offense DUI: A misdemeanor, 48 hours to six months in jail, a $500 – $5,000 fine, and a one-year license suspension;
- 2nd Offense DUI: A misdemeanor, 30 days – six months jail, a $750 – $5,000 fine, and a one-year license suspension;
- 3rd Offense DUI: A 1st-degree misdemeanor, 90 days – five years in prison, a $1,500 – $10,000 fine, and an 18-month license suspension;
- 4th Offense DUI: A 1st-degree misdemeanor, One year to five years in prison, a $1,500 – $10,000 fine, and an 18-month license suspension.
Tier 3. Highest Rate (BAC .16 +); Controlled Substance (Drug DUI) ; Refusal of Chemical Test
- 1st Offense DUI: A misdemeanor, 72 hours – six months jail, a $1,000 – $5,000 fine; a one-year license suspension;
- 2nd Offense DUI: A first-degree misdemeanor, 90 days – five years in prison a $1,500 – $10,000 fine, and an 18-month license suspension;
- 3rd Offense DUI: A felony 2 or 3, up to ten years in prison, up to $25,000 in fines, and an 18-month license suspension.
See the full Pennsylvania Penalties for DUI convictions.
Court Reporting Network (CRN) Evaluation in Montgomery County, PA
The CRN Evaluation:
The Montgomery County PA CRN (Court Reporting Network) Evaluation is a 45-minute to one-hour interview that every person charged with a DUI must schedule and complete. The cost is $80.
The CRN evaluation will determine whether you will be recommended for further drug and alcohol assessment. In the evaluation interview, you will be asked about your drinking and drug habits so the court can know what types of drug and/or alcohol treatment you may need.
You will be charged an additional fee of $30 if you do not show up at the scheduled time. If you were charged with a DUI in Montgomery County, you must schedule the evaluation in Montgomery County.
From the Montco PA website:
You will receive a letter from the DUI Administration approximately 2-3 weeks after your preliminary hearing. The letter will ask you to call our office within 3 days of receiving the letter. DO THIS IMMEDIATELY. We can not schedule an appointment unless you receive our letter.
There are two places where you can complete the CRN evaluation and attend the Alcohol Highway Safety School:
Montco DUI Administration
408 Cherry Street
Norristown, PA 19401
610-992-7700 * Main Office
Montgomery County Court House Annex
102 York Road, Suite 201
Willow Grove, PA 19090
215-784-5408 * Satellite Office
For more information, please see the FAQ section of the Montgomery County PA DUI Administration website.
Speak With A DUI Attorney First.
Contact PA DUI Lawyer Saadzoi today to schedule a free legal case evaluation.
The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC can also help if you were charged with DUI in Delaware County PA or DUI in Chester County PA.
Protect Your Rights. Call 610-566-5956 to schedule a consultation. Spanish translation services are available and credit cards are accepted.
Get Aggressive Representation
Call Today for a Free Legal Case Evaluation
Contact PA DUI Attorney Saadzoi
610-566-5956
How Can The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC Help?
A conviction for DUI could have disastrous consequences on your future. A criminal record makes it difficult to find employment, get housing, and obtain loans for education, automobiles, and housing. It can be a negative weight hanging over your shoulders for a long time.
Fighting a DUI charge could help weaken the impact, by having your charges reduced or dismissed.
Attorney Saadzoi has years of experience successfully helping clients get their DUI charges reduced, dismissed, and resolved.
At The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC, we review the details of your DUI arrest and ask you questions about what you and the police said. We review police reports and determine if the stop was lawful and if you were in control of the vehicle. If not, or if there are any other circumstances permitting, Attorney Saadzoi will file motions to gain leverage over the prosecution. She will do everything to get your charges reduced or dismissed altogether.
She will also help you understand the procedure for acceptance into the Montgomery County ARD Program if you qualify.
Battling DUI charges on your own could increase the likelihood that you will face DUI penalties to the fullest potential of the law.
Do Not Fight DUI Charges Alone. Call Attorney Saadzoi Today.
FREE LEGAL CASE EVALUATION FROM ATTORNEY SAADZOI
Attorney Saadzoi is here to help – call her today for a free legal consultation regarding your DUI charges in Montco, PA.
Attorney Saadzoi will do everything possible to get your charges reduced or dismissed altogether. Battling DUI charges on your own could increase the likelihood that you will face DUI penalties to the fullest potential of the law.
Learn more about DUI charges in Montgomery County, PA:
Don’t Fight Your DUI Charges Alone
Call Today for a Free Legal Case Evaluation
Contact PA DUI Attorney Wana Saadzoi
610-566-5956
The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC – Montgomery County, PA
325 Sentry Pkwy, Suite 200
Blue Bell, PA 19422
Other Resources for DUI Penalties and DUI Charges in Montco PA:
- Pennsylvania DUI Sentencing Guide
- Montco ARD Program
- Montco DUI Information
- CRN Evaluation in Montco PA
- Alcohol Highway Safety School
- PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation)
- PennDOT – Ignition Interlock “THE LAW” FAQs
- Pennsylvania DUI Association
- Ignition Interlock Vendors
Learn More About The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC:
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- Criminal Lawyers in PA
- Drug Lawyers in PA
- Pennsylvania Immigration Lawyer
- Our Client Reviews and Testimonials