DUI / DWI Defense in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania DUI law uses a tiered system based on blood alcohol content: General Impairment (0.08-0.099%), High BAC (0.10-0.159%), and Highest BAC (0.16%+). Each tier carries different mandatory minimum penalties. First-offense General Impairment DUI is an ungraded misdemeanor with no mandatory jail time, while Highest BAC carries 72 hours mandatory imprisonment. Attorney fees range from $2,500 for first-offense General Impairment to $15,000 for felony DUI cases. Pennsylvania's Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program is available for first-time DUI offenders, allowing charges to be dismissed after completing program requirements — attorney fees for ARD applications run $2,500-$4,000. Ignition interlock requirements apply for one year after license restoration for first-time high BAC and all repeat offenders. Refusal to submit to chemical testing results in automatic 12-month license suspension under Pennsylvania's implied consent law.