Your License and DUI in PA

How Long Do You Lose Your License for a DUI Conviction in PA?

Your License after a DUI Arrest in Pennsylvania

If you were charged with DUI in Pennsylvania, you face a 12 month automatic driver’s license suspension from PennDOT, even for a first offense DUI charge with a blood alcohol content level over .08.

For many people, losing their license is simply not an option, as they must drive to work. That’s why Attorney Saadzoi works with people on other legal options available to retain their driver’s license or to have the suspension period drastically reduced.

There are options to keep your driver’s license or have it reinstated in Pennsylvania, including:

  • Fighting your DUI charges;
  • The Ignition Interlock Program (second-time offenders);
  • Obtaining an Occupational Limited License (OLL), or work permit, or;
  • Applying for acceptance into probationary programs, like the ARD Program for first-time DUI offenses.

If you were charged with a DUI in Pennsylvania, call The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC today for a free legal consultation – our attorneys can help you better understand your charges and your options.

We understand how easy it is to make a mistake – but a DUI conviction can cost much more than a license – you could also face jail time, heavy fines and a permanent mark on your criminal record.

If you were charged with DUI and have a professional license, such as a M.D. or nursing license, or if you drive for a living with a CDL, we can help you fight to keep your professional license.

An Arrest is Not a Conviction

Not every DUI arrest ends up as a DUI conviction – it is important to speak with an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible to go over your options and fight for your charges to be either reduced or dropped altogether.

Our DUI Lawyers in Media PA Can Help

Call The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC Today for a Free Legal Case Evaluation

610-566-5956

PennDOT License Suspension Periods in PA

The length of time your license will be suspended depends on a few things:

  1. Your BAC level and/or controlled substances;
  2. Any prior offenses or charges;
  3. The type of license, and;
  4. Your age (if under 21).

1) Your BAC Level

The punishment for a DUI conviction weighs heavily on your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level at the time of your arrest. If you have a BAC level of .08 or higher, you are considered impaired for operating a motor vehicle. However, even .02 BAC can be enough for you to lose your license if you are under the age of 21 or driving a school bus. A BAC level of .16% or higher is the highest level and comes with the most severe penalties.

There is a three-tier system based on BAC levels in Pennsylvania, as follows:

  • General Impairment: .08% to .099% BAC level
  • High Impairment: .10% to .159% BAC level;
  • Highest Impairment: .16% or higher BAC level.

If you refuse a blood test at the time of your arrest, you face an automatic 12-month license suspension from PennDOT. Refusing a blood test makes it difficult but not impossible to keep your license – call our law office to discuss your options if you refused a blood test during a DUI arrest.

If you were charged with a DUI of a Controlled Substance, or DUI of prescription meds, you face an automatic 12-month license suspension and the penalties of the highest level BAC.

For a first offense DUI, you face the following periods of license suspension by PennDOT:

  • General Impairment (below .10 BAC): No license suspension, unless you are under 21 or were driving a school bus or have a professional driver license (CDL). Also, if you previously were charged with DUI and completed the ARD program, this counts as a second offense and your license will be suspended for 12 months.
  • High Impairment (.10 – .159% BAC): 12-month license suspension.
  • Highest Impairment (.16%+ BAC): 12-month license suspension.
  • CDL Holders / Professional Driver’s License (Over .04% BAC): 12-month license suspension.
  • School Bus Driver (Over .02% BAC): 12-month license suspension.
  • Under 21 Years of Age: Any amount of alcohol in your system for underage drinking in PA means a 12-month license suspension.

Any subsequent DUI offenses in the prior ten years will mean an 18-month license suspension, unless you are driving on a CDL and then a second offense is a permanent license revocation.

The punishment for DUI is also determined by how many previous DUI charges you have had previously (within the past ten years). This includes if you had previously accepted the ARD program.

If you are caught driving on a suspended license after a DUI charge, you face a mandatory two months in jail.

In addition to losing your license, jail time and fines, a DUI conviction means you will have a criminal record, which will make everything in your future more difficult – getting a job, finding housing, finding insurance and loans for housing and school.

Visit PennDOT’s website to learn more about license suspension and DUI.

Our experienced and aggressive DUI Lawyers in Media, PA can help if you were charged with:

Our DUI Lawyers Can Help

Call The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC Today for a Free Legal Case Evaluation

610-566-5956

Fighting for Your License After a DUI Arrest in PA

An experienced and savvy DUI lawyer can help with this process and in navigating the Pennsylvania court process.

If you believe you were wrongfully arrested or there were mistakes in the way your arrest was handled by police officers, you have every right to fight the charges.

Attorney Saadzoi has spent time on both sides of the law as a prosecutor and a public defender. As your lawyer, she will work aggressively to resolve the charges against you.

Can DUI Charges in PA be Reduced or Dismissed?

DUI cases and fought and won in court everyday. Even if it is not possible to have your case fully dismissed, it may still be possible to have the charges reduced.

Just because you were charged with DUI does not mean you have been convicted. There are many options to fight and win a DUI in court, reduce the charges and/or keep them off your record.

The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC has extensive knowledge of the legal system and DUI court process in Delaware, Montgomery and Chester Counties and understands what it takes to fight and win against a DUI arrest in Pennsylvania.

Attorney Saadzoi offers free consultations – Call DUI Attorney Saadzoi today.

Call The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC Today for a Free Legal Case Evaluation

610-566-5956

How The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC Can Help

Attorney Saadzoi has years of experience successfully helping clients get their DUI charges reduced or dismissed and in helping them keep their license.

At The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC, we review the details of your DUI arrest and police reports. We will determine if the stop was unlawful and if you were in control of the vehicle. If not, or if there are any other circumstances permitting, we will file motions to gain leverage over the prosecution.

Attorney Saadzoi will do everything possible to get your charges reduced or dismissed altogether. 

Get Aggressive Representation
Call Today for a Free Legal Case Evaluation

Contact PA DUI Attorney Wana Saadzoi
610-566-5956

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