Third DUI Arrest

Third DUI in Pennsylvania 

What Happens if You Are Charged with DUI for a Third Time in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, a third DUI is punished harshly. If you were charged with a third DUI offense in Pennsylvania, you are already aware of the likelihood of losing your license and potential jail time, if you are convicted.

As of November 2022, having two or more prior DUI convictions can mean being sentenced to a second or third-degree felony, upon conviction. This means up to seven to ten years in prison with fines as high as $25,000.

A third DUI conviction in Pennsylvania could mean the following:

  • Up to seven to ten years in prison;
  • A misdemeanor or felony on your criminal record;
  • $10,000 to $25,000 in fines;
  • A 1.5-year license suspension;
  • Mandatory treatment programs (drug/alcohol);
  • Mandatory One-Year Interlock Ignition Device (IID).

The BAC Level (Blood Alcohol Content) will be a factor in determining the severity of the penalties, but the minimum penalty for a low BAC level is still a minimum of ten days and up to two years in jail, plus a minimum $500 fine (maximum $5,000), as well as a one-year license suspension and mandatory treatment and IID.

The length of time between DUI convictions also plays a role. And even though you may have been accepted in the ARD program, it still counts as a conviction if you are convicted of a second DUI or third DUI charge in a time span of fewer than ten years.

In addition, Pennsylvania keeps making penalties harsher. The highest level of BAC (blood alcohol content) of .16 or higher is graded as either a second-degree or third-degree felony with a maximum of ten years in prison.

A conviction falls under the highest tier if a person refuses a breathalyzer or chemical test or was charged with drugged driving.

While the outlook may seem dire, it is important to remember that 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.

Fighting and winning a third DUI charge is possible.

An Arrest is Not a Conviction

The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC can help.

Attorney Saadzoi is an experienced and aggressive DUI attorney who will work with you to help you understand your rights, the penalties you face, and how to defend your freedom against a third DUI charge.

There are many options to fight and win a DUI in court, reduce the charges, and/or keep them off your record.

Our team can provide you with a free consultation about your case. Call us today to see how we can help.

Attorney Saadzoi has extensive knowledge of the legal system and DUI court process in Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery Counties. She has been successful in fighting and winning DUI cases for over a decade in Southeast Pennsylvania.

Attorney Saadzoi offers free consultations to anyone charged with a DUI in Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery Counties – Contact The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC Today.

 

Our Pennsylvania DUI Attorneys are Here to Help
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610-566-5956

Delaware County, PA | Chester County, PA | Montgomery County, PA

Third DUI Conviction Penalties in Pennsylvania

The punishment for a third DUI conviction weighs heavily on your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level at the time of your arrest, as well as if you were charged with “drugged driving”, or driving under a controlled substance.

Penalties for a conviction are also highly dependent on whether you have prior offenses.

If you have a BAC level of .08% or higher, you can be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

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 (or driving under a controlled substance or refusing to submit a chemical or breath test)

Prior offenses include whether you previously were accepted into the ARD program. If you were accepted into ARD, it counts as a first offense.

PENALTIES FOR A THIRD DUI CONVICTION IN PENNSYLVANIA

General Impairment: .08% to .099% BAC level

  • A misdemeanor on your criminal record;
  • One-year license suspension;
  • Ten days to two years in jail;
  • A $500 – $5,000 fine;
  • Alcohol Highway Safety School;
  • Alcohol or drug treatment, if ordered, and;
  • One-year ignition interlock.

High Impairment: .10% to .159% BAC level

  • A misdemeanor on your criminal record;
  • 18-month license suspension;
  • 90 days to five years in prison;
  • A $1,500 – $10,000 fine;
  • Alcohol Highway Safety School;
  • Alcohol or drug treatment, if ordered, and;
  • One-year ignition interlock.

Highest Impairment: .16% or higher BAC level (Also Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance or Refusal to Submit)

  • A second or third-degree felony;
  • Eighteen-month license suspension;
  • Up to seven to ten years in prison;
  • Up to $25,000 in fines;
  • Alcohol Highway Safety School;
  • Alcohol or drug treatment, if ordered, and;
  • One-year ignition interlock.

*The punishment for DUI is also determined by how many previous DUI charges you have had previously (within the past ten years).

**If you have a professional license or a CDL license, these penalties can also affect your career.

Other Consequences of a Third DUI Conviction in PA

In addition to losing your license, jail time, and fines, a third 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. It may be nearly impossible to get auto insurance after being convicted of a third DUI charge.

Do Not Fight DUI Charges Alone
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DUI Lawyers Media, PA
610-566-5956

Delaware County, PA | Chester County, PA | Montgomery County, PA

Fighting DUI Charges in Southeast PA

An experienced and savvy Pennsylvania DUI lawyer can help with this process and help in navigating the DUI court process in Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Chester County.

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 every day. Even if it is not possible to have your case fully dismissed, it may still be possible to have the charges reduced.

A tough and experienced DUI attorney who is willing to fight for you and for your freedom can defend your rights.

Attorney Saadzoi can help explain your rights and your best options for fighting for your rights.

Contact a DUI Lawyer in Media, PA
Free Legal Case Evaluations

Call The Law Offices of Wana Saadzoi, Esquire LLC
610-566-5956

Delaware County, PA | Chester County, PA | Montgomery County, PA

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, dismissed and resolved.

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 knows that sometimes good people make mistakes and often times the punishment does not fit the crime. Many people deserve a second chance and treatment programs over harsh prison sentences and large fines that can tarnish their reputations and take away their freedom.

This compassion translates to an aggressive litigator who will work hard for her clients to get the best possible outcome.

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.

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 Saadzoi
610-566-5956

Delaware County, PA | Chester County, PA | Montgomery County, PA

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