Over one million people are charged with a DUI each year in Pennsylvania and this is one time you don't want to be one in a million. If you are arrested or convicted of a DUI in Pennsylvania, there are a number of possible issues to consider: Will you have to serve jail time? If so, for how long? Or is probation a possibility? What will you owe in fines? Will your license be suspended, and for how long? Will you have to go to a DUI school or do community service? All or none of this is possible; a number of things can be factors. The right attorney can beat a DUI charge out right, however the best attorney in the world can only due so much if it's your 18 th DUI.

Below is a list of what you COULD get if you are charged with a DUI. The actual penalty can be greatly reduced with an attorney.

First Pennsylvania DUI Offense:

Pennsylvania Criminal Status: BAC Per Se: Ungraded Misdemeanor; High BAC: Ungraded Misdemeanor; Highest BAC: Ungraded Misdemeanor.

Jail: BAC Per Se: 6-month maximum sentence;

High BAC: 48 consecutive hours jail time, 6-month maximum sentence;

Highest BAC: 72 consecutive hours jail time, 6-month maximum sentence.

Pennsylvania DUI Fines/Costs:

BAC Per Se: $300

High BAC: $500-$5,000

Highest BAC: $1,000-$5,000

Pennsylvania License Suspension:

BAC Per Se: 2 month suspension

High BAC: 12 month suspension*

Highest BAC: 12 month suspension*

*Note: An occupational limited license may be available after serving a 2 month suspension.

Violation of Zero Tolerance Law: If you are arrested for DUI, the police will ask you to take a breath, blood, or urine test. If your BAC is 0.02% or higher, and you are convicted of DUI, you can expect:

Up to one-year driver's license suspension

Drug and alcohol evaluation

Fines (up to $500 for a first offense), court costs and restitution

To complete a state-approved Alcohol Highway Safety Program, if ordered by the court

If you're under 18, you may also have a juvenile complaint filed against you within 5 days, and may be adjudicated delinquent. Your parents will be notified of your arrest.

If you're 18-20, you may be ordered to Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program if you qualify. If you don't qualify, you will be sentenced to 48 hours in jail.

If you refuse to take a test, your driving privilege will be suspended for one year.

Pennsylvania Conditional License:

Occupational limited licenses are permitted for all first convictions, provided the offender first serves a 60-day license suspension. Driving is allowed for work and rehabilitation, and the number of driving hours a day is limited. In addition, a probationary license may be available that allows driving during certain hours of the day. However, there are strict qualification guidelines.

Vehicle Impound: none

Pennsylvania DUI School: Yes. First offenders (per se, high and highest) also require Alcohol Highway Safety School attendance. A first offense with a BAC of .16 and higher requires a mandatory drug and alcohol assessment and treatment. In addition, all DUI convictions, per se, high and highest, require a Court Reporting evaluation.

Pennsylvania Probation: Generally 6 months for all.

Pennsylvania Community Service: 150 hours possible.

Second Pennsylvania DUI Offense Plus:

Pennsylvania Criminal Status: BAC Per Se: Ungraded Misdemeanor; High BAC: Ungraded Misdemeanor; Highest BAC: 1st degree Misdemeanor.

Jail: BAC Per Se: 5 days to 6-month maximum sentence; High BAC: 30 days to 6-month maximum sentence; Highest BAC: 90 days to 6-month maximum sentence.

Pennsylvania DUI Fines/Costs:

BAC Per Se: $300-$2,500

High BAC: $750-$5000

Highest BAC: not less than $1,500

Pennsylvania License Suspension: 18 months for all.

Violation of Zero Tolerance Law:

If you are arrested for DUI, the police will ask you to take a breath, blood, or urine test. If your BAC is 0.02% or higher, and you are convicted of DUI, you can expect:

Up to one-year driver's license suspension

Drug and alcohol evaluation

Fines (up to $500 for a first offense), court costs and restitution

To complete a state-approved Alcohol Highway Safety Program, if ordered by the court.

If you're under 18, you may also have a juvenile complaint filed against you within 5 days, and may be adjudicated delinquent. Your parents will be notified of your arrest.

If you're 18-20, you may be ordered to attend the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program if you qualify. If you don't qualify, you will be sentenced to 48 hours in jail.

If you refuse to take a test, your driving privilege will be suspended for one year.

Pennsylvania Conditional License: A probationary license may be available that allows driving during certain hours of the day. However, there are strict qualification guidelines.

Vehicle Impound: none

Pennsylvania DUI School: Yes. Second offenders (per se, high and highest) also require Alcohol Highway Safety School attendance, which consists of 5, 2 ½ hour sessions at a cost of $150. In addition, all DUI convictions, per se, high and highest, require a Court Reporting evaluation.

Pennsylvania Probation: Yes. Generally 6 months, but it is at the court's discretion.

Pennsylvania Community Service: 150 hours possible.

Other:

Commercial Vehicle: 0.04 BAC. For BACs up to .16%, the license suspension, prison time, fines and specifications for alcohol highway safety school and treatment are the same as for violations for the "high rate" of alcohol. For BACs of .16% or greater, the penalties are the same as violations of the highest rate of alcohol.

Under Age: 21

Pennsylvania Open Container Laws: Yes. Driver and passenger.

How long does a DUI stay on your record? A DUI in Pennsylvania stays on your driving record for 7 years.

Driver Responsibility Tax: N/A.

Ignition interlock device (IID):

First offense: No IID required

Second offense:

BAC Per Se: One year IID required.

High BAC: One year IID required.

Highest BAC: One year IID required.

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