DUI Offenses

Pennsylvania DUI Defense Attorney

You Can Fight a Pennsylvania DWI

Facing a charge for driving under the influence (DUI) in Pennsylvania is a serious matter that can upend your life. It puts your personal freedom, your ability to drive, and your current and future employment at risk. However, there is a silver lining: with the right legal representation, you do not have to accept these consequences without a fight. By hiring a skilled defense lawyer, you can construct a sturdy defense aimed at protecting your rights, your bank account, and your driver’s license.

At Logue Law Group, we provide a robust and strategic approach to defending clients in Harrisburg. Our team understands the specific nuances of Pennsylvania’s traffic and criminal laws. We are dedicated to building a defense strategy that addresses the unique facts of your situation. If you are currently seeking a Harrisburg DUI attorney who will fight tirelessly for you, reach out to Logue Law Group online or call us at 412-387-6901.

DUI Penalties – Harrisburg Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer

Pennsylvania utilizes a tiered system for DUI penalties. The severity of the punishment depends on several factors, primarily your blood alcohol content (BAC) levels and whether you have prior convictions on your record. For a deep dive into the specific fines and suspensions you might face, please review our detailed Driver’s License Penalties page.

While our primary focus on this page is drunk driving defense, it is important to have legal counsel with broad experience. Whether you are facing state charges or require the complex litigation skills of a federal criminal lawyer, understanding the full scope of the law is vital to your defense.

ARD – Like Probation for First-Time Offenders

For many of our clients, this is their first brush with the law. As your dedicated counsel in Dauphin County, we strive to minimize the fallout of a first-time arrest by advocating for the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program. This program is designed to bypass the traditional trial process, jail time, and permanent criminal records.

Instead of a harsh sentence, the ARD program allows eligible participants to complete a period of probation (usually two years), attend Alcohol Highway Safety School, and meet other court-mandated conditions. Navigating the application process for this program is much easier with the guidance of a qualified Harrisburg DUI attorney.

Successfully finishing the ARD program leads to a dismissal of the DUI charge. Furthermore, it allows you to have the arrest expunged from your record entirely. However, you must take this seriously; failing to complete the requirements, or getting arrested again within 10 years, can result in the original charges being reinstated or being prosecuted as a repeat offender.

Am I Eligible?

Acceptance into ARD is not guaranteed; it is solely at the discretion of the District Attorney. While many first-time offenders in Harrisburg are accepted, there are strict disqualifiers. You will not be eligible if your DUI involved a serious injury or death to another person, or if you had a child under the age of 14 in the car at the time of the incident.

Because acceptance isn’t automatic, it is essential to consult with a legal professional. You need someone with the expertise of a Harrisburg federal criminal lawyer to evaluate if ARD is your best path, or if fighting the charges in court is a better option.

DUI and Drugs Defense

Even if you have a prior conviction, or if your case involves substances other than alcohol, there are defenses available.

As your advocate in Harrisburg, I will conduct a meticulous review of all police reports, chemical tests, and procedural records. My goal is to find the evidence needed to challenge the prosecution’s case. Whenever possible, I work to get charges dropped completely or to reduce the penalties significantly.

Prosecuting “drugged driving” (DUID) cases presents unique hurdles for the state. Proving impairment by drugs is often more complex than proving alcohol impairment. However, Pennsylvania law allows the use of circumstantial evidence, meaning a jury could convict you without a positive drug test. To counter this, you need a Harrisburg DUI attorney who understands the science. I will challenge the evidence, potentially questioning the reliability of a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) or the validity of the tests used to diagnose your condition.

Attorney Sean Logue • DUI Defense • 412-387-6901

When your future is on the line due to a criminal charge, you need a specialist, not a generalist. Logue Law Group provides the specialized focus required for these cases.

Attorney Sean Logue blends an aggressive courtroom style with professional integrity. He takes the time to listen to your side of the story, explains every option available to you, and works toward the best possible result. Whether you need a local traffic defense or the strategic depth of a Harrisburg federal criminal lawyer, Sean Logue brings the necessary experience to your corner. If you need effective Pennsylvania DWI defense, contact our group today at 412-387-6901.

DUI Types

A DUI charge can happen to anyone, regardless of their job, reputation, or background. There are also several different categories of charges you might encounter. With the help of a skilled Harrisburg criminal defense attorney, you can mount a defense against any of them.

Underage DUI

Drivers under the age of 21 face a “zero tolerance” standard in Pennsylvania. If an underage driver is found operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of just 0.02% or higher, they will be charged with Underage DUI. The same applies if there is any trace of drugs in their system. Because the legal drinking age is 21, the state has ramped up enforcement and penalties in recent years. If you or your child is facing this situation, contact a Harrisburg DUI attorney immediately to mitigate the long-term damage to their future.

CDL DUI

Drivers who hold a Pennsylvania Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) are held to a higher standard of safety. For CDL holders operating a commercial vehicle, the legal limit is significantly lower—just 0.04% BAC. A conviction here can destroy a career.

Crucially, getting a DUI in your personal vehicle can also result in the suspension of your professional CDL license. Because your livelihood is at stake, you require a defense that is as rigorous and detailed as one provided by a Harrisburg federal criminal lawyer.

Out-of-State DUI

If you live outside of Pennsylvania but are charged with a DUI while visiting Harrisburg or Dauphin County, the consequences follow you home. You risk losing driving privileges in your home state as well as in Pennsylvania. Most states are part of a compact that shares information on traffic offenses, so you cannot hide from the charge. Managing a case across state lines often requires travel or extended stays. A local Harrisburg DUI attorney can often handle many aspects of the case on your behalf, minimizing your travel time.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

In the last decade, Dauphin County has seen a spike in charges for driving under the influence of drugs. Many drivers know the alcohol laws but are unaware of the strict drug laws. It is illegal to control a vehicle while under the influence of any controlled substance. If a blood test shows drugs in your system, you will face charges.

DUI and Prescription Drugs

Many people are shocked to learn they can be charged with DUI for taking legal, prescribed medication. If a drug impairs your ability to drive, it is illegal to get behind the wheel. Common prescriptions containing hydrocodone, codeine, or oxycodone are frequent culprits. Even over-the-counter drugs like Benadryl can cause drowsiness that leads to an arrest. Always read your labels. If you have been charged due to medication, you need the analytical skills of a Harrisburg federal criminal lawyer to explain the medical context to a jury.

Driving under the influence is a serious offense. If you have been arrested, do not wait. Contact criminal defense attorney Sean Logue and the team at Logue Law Group. With deep knowledge of Pennsylvania law, we defend you aggressively. We are available 24/7 at 412-387-6901 or via our website. Initial consultations are free. Logue Law Group proudly serves Harrisburg, Ohio, and West Virginia.