You can expect to face serious legal consequences when authorities arrest you for drunk driving. The penalties that come with a conviction are more severe if you have been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in the past.
If you have been charged with a second-offense DUI in Cranberry Township, it is crucial to seek help from our skilled DUI defense attorneys right away. Our firm understands what it takes to beat these charges, and could help you navigate the legal system with confidence. Contact us today to learn more.
The state treats a DUI as a second offense when you have a prior DUI conviction on your record within the last 10 years. The clock starts from the date of your previous conviction, not the date of the arrest. If authorities arrest you again within that 10-year lookback period, the new charge is classified as a second offense, which carries significantly harsher penalties.
The grading of the offense depends on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or whether drugs were involved. For example, you could face steeper penalties for a case involving a high BAC or a positive drug test compared to a standard second-offense DUI.
Even if your prior case resulted in a plea or diversion, it may still count against you. The same is true if you were convicted of a drunk driving-related charge in another state. You need to understand how your prior record affects your current charge, and our second-offense DUI attorneys in Cranberry Township are here to help.
The penalties for a second DUI offense in Cranberry Township depend on your BAC level, but all tiers carry mandatory consequences you cannot avoid if convicted. In most cases, you will face 5 days to 6 months in jail, fines ranging from $300 to $2,500, and a 12-month driver’s license suspension for your second arrest.
Other factors can increase these penalties, including your BAC at the time of your arrest. For example, if your BAC is 0.16 percent or higher, you could face as much as 5 years in prison for a second DUI. You may need to complete alcohol highway safety school and treatment, and ignition interlock requirements apply after suspension.
A second drunk driving offense in Cranberry Township does not mean you are out of options. Our attorneys frequently fight back against these charges by challenging the legality of the traffic stop or the accuracy of the chemical tests.
Police must have a valid reason to stop your vehicle. If the officer did not observe a traffic violation or reasonable suspicion of impairment, the stop may be unlawful. If the stop is invalid, any evidence collected afterward, including test results, can be suppressed, significantly weakening the case against you.
DUI cases often rely on the results of chemical testing, such as breath or blood tests. These tests are not always reliable, as they can lead to false positives due to factors such as medical conditions or improper instructions. The major issue is often whether the authorities collected or tested the samples as required by law. In some cases, our attorneys may have the results thrown out entirely.
You have the right to a strong defense when facing a second-offense DUI in Cranberry Township. With the help of our attorneys, you may be able to beat these charges or lessen the impact of a conviction with a plea deal.
Facing these charges on your own is risky, as the state has substantial resources it can bring against you. Contact our team at Benjamin Levine Law, LLC today to learn how our attorneys could help ensure fairness in handling your case.