An arrest under suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious matter regardless of the circumstances, but the potential penalties are especially severe if you have been convicted of this offense before. If you are facing a third-time DUI in Butler County, a conviction could lead to a lengthy jail term and costly fines.
While this scenario is distressing, it is important to remember that you have the right to fight back. Our skilled DUI defense attorneys can review the circumstances surrounding your arrest and advise you on your options during an initial consultation. Contact us today to learn more.
In Butler County, a third-offense DUI refers to an arrest for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol when you have two prior convictions on your record. This distinction matters, as third-time offenses carry steep penalties.
You could be charged with a third DUI regardless of whether the prior offenses involved alcohol, drugs, or both. Even if the previous cases involved a plea deal or a diversion program, they could still count toward the total number of convictions, depending on the circumstances. Our attorneys could review your record and advise you on whether a third offense is the appropriate charge.
When it comes to DUI prosecutions, it is important to understand that the law does not necessarily take every prior conviction into account when it comes to third-offense DUIs. Pennsylvania law relies on something known as a “lookback” period to determine whether or not a past offense should be taken into account.
In Butler County, the lookback period for DUI offenses is 10 years, meaning prosecutors will only charge you with a third-offense DUI if you have two prior convictions within that window. Therefore, you could be charged with a first offense even with multiple DUI convictions on your record if they all occurred more than 10 years ago.
The lookback period has an important effect during sentencing, as the penalties for a third offense are much steeper compared to first-time offenders. You should also keep in mind that while an older conviction might not automatically upgrade your charge, a judge could still consider it when handing down your sentence for a first-time offense, as long as it is within the range allowed by law.
A third-time DUI conviction in Butler County comes with both severe criminal and administrative penalties, especially if the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is elevated. State law applies penalties in a tiered format depending on what your BAC is. They include the following:
The steepest penalties are also reserved for those accused of drug impairment and individuals who refuse to submit to a chemical test at all.
In addition to the risk of lengthy incarceration, a third DUI in Butler County can also lead to thousands of dollars in fines, an 18-month license suspension, and mandatory treatment programs.
If you have been arrested for a third-time DUI in Butler County, do not panic. This is a serious criminal charge, but you are also entitled to a vigorous defense. Our strategic criminal defense attorneys will work tirelessly to investigate the allegations against you and build the strongest possible defense. All of our lawyers previously worked as criminal prosecutors, making us uniquely prepared to take on your case. If you are ready to learn how we can help, reach out today.