DUI and Child Endangerment

Driving Under the Influence and Child Endangerment Charges

Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is a serious offense across New Castle and Pennsylvania. If a child is involved in such an incident, the charges escalate from a misdemeanor to a felony, with an additional separate offense of child endangerment. This separate charge carries its own severe legal consequences. It is absolutely critical to seek guidance from a skilled and experienced criminal lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and to develop a strong defense strategy.

Consequences of a DUI with Child Endangerment Charges

A criminal conviction resulting from DUI with child endangerment can lead to severe personal and professional repercussions. These can include:

• Impact on Professional Licenses and Careers
  • Professionals with licenses, such as teachers or health professionals, may face disciplinary action leading to possible job loss.
  • Employers with strict no-tolerance DUI policies may terminate employment, especially if DUIs result in the inability to drive to work.
• Criminal Conviction Affects Working with Children
  • Individuals working with children, such as teachers, daycare workers, or sports coaches, may find it especially challenging. A child endangerment charge may permanently bar individuals from these professions.
• Family and Custody Issues
  • When the child involved is your own, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) could launch an investigation. This may lead to prolonged custody disputes for your child and their siblings.

If you’ve been confronted with the above-stated charges, it’s best to have a New Castle DUI attorney by your side to craft a robust defense strategy.

DUI with Child Endangerment Penalties in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania enforces tough penalties for DUI offenses involving child endangerment. These include:

First-Time Offense

• Community Service: Minimum of 100 hours.
• Fines: $1,000 or more.

Second-Time Offense

• Jail Time: Between one to six months.
• Fines: A minimum of $2,500.

Third-Time or Subsequent Convictions

• Jail Time: A range of six months to two years.

Standard DUI Penalties Still Apply

• Ignition Interlock Device: Installation required for your car, requiring you to breathe into it before starting the vehicle.
• License Suspension: Complete license suspension is possible, leading to reliance on others for transportation.
• Additional Fees and Lost Work Hours.

Navigating Complex DUI Laws in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania DUI laws are stringent and navigating the legal process without appropriate representation can be overwhelming. A conviction can have lifelong consequences, but with an experienced New Castle DUI attorney, you may be able to significantly reduce the penalties or even avoid a conviction altogether. A professional lawyer will dissect every detail of your case, identify key defenses, and provide personalized legal strategies for the best outcome.

Why Choose the Logue Criminal Defense Team?

If you’re charged with DUI and child endangerment in New Castle, trust the expertise and dedication of the Logue Law Group team. Our trusted team has extensive experience successfully defending clients against these charges. Here’s how we can help:

• Experienced Legal Professionals
  • Our knowledgeable team provides expert guidance on how to fight the charges.
  • Known for our unwavering commitment, we tailor legal strategies to meet the unique circumstances of each client.
• Serving New Castle and Beyond
  • We proudly serve clients in New Castle, Ohio, and West Virginia.
• Free Initial Consultation
  • Discuss your case with our team at no cost. Our consultations provide valuable insight into potential defenses for your case.

Contact us at (844) PITT-DUI or through our website to schedule your free consultation.

Protect Your Rights and Future Now

Time is of the essence when faced with DUI and child endangerment charges. Act quickly to secure representation from a qualified New Castle criminal lawyer to improve your chances of a favorable outcome. Don’t face this alone. Trust the Logue Criminal Defense team to fight for your rights, your freedom, and your future.