If you have been charged with a DUI or DWI in the State of Pennsylvania, a skilled DUI Attorney could mean the difference between keeping your driver’s license and taking the bus. There are things that a DUI lawyer can try and do to save your license. A skilled Criminal Defense Attorney can file for a DMV hearing, and can also see about getting you a restricted license so that you can still work. If you have received your first DUI, or if you are a second or third time offender, call Sean Logue today.

DMV Hearing

Your Pittsburgh DUI Attorney can ask for a DMV hearing. There is a limited amount of time that you can do this after your arrest. This is a small window of opportunity that you MUST take advantage of quickly. If you would like to try and save your driver’s license, call Sean Logue today.

What Police Usually Look For

Even the slightest indication of inconsistent driving such as swerving, weaving or driving under the speed limit can attract flashing lights.

Once your vehicle has been stopped police look for indications such as bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, difficulty in getting out of the vehicle and fumbling while trying to find your license.

What You Must Know About Field Sobriety Tests

As a preliminary investigating technique, the police may subject you to what is known as a field sobriety test to judge your alertness, or in other words, your physical and mental capabilities. They would ask you to –

• Recite the alphabet
• Stand on one leg to judge your balance
• Walk in a straight line
• Follow a light or a moving object when instructed with just yours eyes, keeping your head still

Blood Alcohol Concentration Level

Blood alcohol concentration is the parameter used by the police to establish the influence of alcohol. BAC of 0.08% and above can invite charges which can result from two large drinks. In most cases police would ask you to undergo a chemical test (breath, urine, blood) to determine your BAC levels. However having BAC levels lower than 0.08% doesn’t mean the police won’t charge you if you appear to be impaired due to alcohol and/or drugs.

The law mandates a driver to be tested within 2 hours of arrest. Refusing a test can complicate matters and result in suspension of your license for a year or more. As per the laws of the State Transportation Department, a three-tier system is used to determine punishment based on BAC levels.

First Tier

It is treated as general impairment when BAC ranges between 0.08% and 0.099%. If proven guilty, your punishment may include up to six months of probation as well as a $300 fine. The court may order you to attend a treatment program and mandate attending the alcohol highway safety school.

Second Tier

Second Tier is applied when BAC levels range between 0.10% and 0.159% and it is classified as high impairment. Here, the punishment includes between two days and six months in prison, fines between $500 and $5,000, suspension of license for one year, and installation of an IID for a year. Additionally the court may order you to undergo a treatment program and also attend the alcohol highway safety school.

Third Tier

Classified as highest impairment it is applied when BAC is 0.16% or more. The punishment here is stringent and can include between $1,000 and $5,000 in fines, imprisonment between three days and six months, suspension of license for a year, installation of IID and mandatory treatment program and alcohol highway safety school.

What to do When Pulled Over by the Police?

• Do not resist arrest
• Don’t acknowledge that you have been drinking
• Don’t give out any statements without your Pittsburgh DUI Lawyer by your side
• Your Possible Defense
• You weren’t impaired and/or not driving the vehicle
• You were stopped illegally and the checkpoint didn’t meet standards
• Test wasn’t administered properly and the samples were contaminated
• Testing equipment wasn’t calibrated as required by the law

How Much Will it Cost?

Sean Logue is a reasonably priced DUI Attorney in Pittsburgh. If you are looking for a skilled and decorated trial lawyer to protect your Driver’s License, call Sean today. Trying to save a buck by calling an inexperienced attorney could cost you thousands of dollars in the end. Not to mention you may lose your Driver’s License. Do not trust your Driver’s License and your ability to get around to a less qualified lawyer. Sean Logue has almost 20 years of litigation experience. He has helped hundreds of accused clients with their criminal defense needs. If you are facing a Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated charge, let Sean fight for your rights. Sean will work with you to cater a budget that you can afford while still getting an experienced attorney to handle your case. Call Sean today.

How Will a Lawyer Defend Me?

An experienced DUI Lawyer in Pittsburgh knows how to handle DUI charges and shall explore all possible legal options to get the charges dismissed. Seasoned lawyers know how to protect your rights and would discredit all the charges that have been brought against you.

For a free consultation with a DUI defense attorney, contact us online today, or by calling 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901.

What You Must KnowBAC Levels

DUI charges are based on a driver’s BAC level which is nothing but the blood alcohol concentration in one’s body. If your BAC level is 0.08% or higher you can be charged with DUI. However, you can also be arrested if BAC is less than 0.08% if the police have reasons to believe that you were impaired and behind the wheels of a vehicle.

Three-Tier System for Multiple DUI Convictions

In Pittsburgh as elsewhere in Pennsylvania, a three-tier system is followed based on the level of alcohol in a person’s blood and is used to determine the level of punishment in DUI related cases.

First Tier Offense

BAC between 0.08% and 0.099% is considered as general level impairment, the lowest in the category and can be punished with –

• For a second offense, you may need to serve between 5 days and six months in prison, bear fines between $300 and $2,500 and face one year of license suspension. You will also have to drive with an interlock ignition device for a year.

Second Tier Offense

BAC levels between 0.10% and 0.159% are categorized as a middle tier or treated as high impairment. It is punishable with –

• Second offense in such cases invites prison sentences between 30 days and 6 months, fines between $750 and $5,000, a year of license suspension and driving with an IID for a year. The court may also make it compulsory to take a treatment program and attend the alcohol highway safety school.
• Repeating this offense for the third time can result in 90 days to 5 years of imprisonment, fines between $1,500 and $10,000, 18-month license suspension and also undergo a treatment program and attend the alcohol highway safety school.

Third Tier Offense

BAC of 0.16% and above is classified as highest impairment and is punishable with –

• A repeat offense under this tier can result in imprisonment between 90 days and 5 years, fines of $1,500 to $10,000, driving with an IID for one year and 18 months of license suspension. The courts also ask the person guilty to take a treatment program and attend alcohol highway safety school.
• Repeat offense more than twice carries the strictest of punishments in DUI cases where one needs to spend between one and five years in prison, pay fines between $2,500 and $10,000, face 18 months of license suspension and drive with an IID for one year. Additionally, the courts may also ask you to attend a treatment program.

What to Do When Pulled By the Police

• Don’t obstruct police officers from discharging their duties
• Don’t tell them that you are drunk
• Politely refuse to make any statements before you have a DUI Lawyer in Pittsburgh by your side

How Would Your Lawyer Defend You 

An experienced DUI Lawyer is well versed in the State and Federal Laws related DUI and would defend you passionately. He/she will discredit all the information that have been presented against you and would ensure that your rights are protected by the court so that you can try to avoid multiple DUI convictions. Your attorney would suggest to you the best course of legal action with regards to your case.

For a free consultation with a DUI defense attorney in Pittsburgh, contact us online today, or by calling 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901.

If you are a person who carries a Commercial Driver’s License, be it to drive a big rig, tanker truck, bus, or box truck, and you have been arrested for Driving Under the Influence, it’s vital to your livelihood that you contact an experienced Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney right away. He will be able to explain your charges to you in detail, as well as describe your options, and will stand beside you as you navigate the criminal justice system. He will work with you to get your charges dismissed or reduced to something like careless driving or reckless endangerment; something that would allow you to keep your Commercial Driver’s License and your job.

CDL holders can lose their license over a DUI charge even if they were not driving their professional vehicle at the time of their arrest. Associated with a DUI arrest for professional drivers is a mandatory one-year disqualification from holding a CDL. If a person charged with DUI was, in fact, driving their commercial vehicle at the time of their arrest, that year becomes two, and if they were hauling hazardous materials, the two years becomes three. The drivers will lose their personal driving privileges as well as their professional ones, and face the same jail time and fines as a non-CDL holder would.

The legal limit for CDL holders is 0.04 percent blood alcohol content. This is half the legal limit for non-CDL holders, which means they can drink even less than drivers who hold a regular license.

If you have a regular driver’s license, you are also in danger of losing it due to a Driving Under the Influence conviction. Having a High Blood Alcohol Concentration (0.10 percent to 0.159 percent) or a Highest Blood Alcohol Concentration (0.16 percent or above), or causing an accident, while drunk driving, that results in injury will lead to a license suspension. If you refuse a blood or breath test and your Blood Alcohol Concentration is in the High or Highest category, you will automatically lose your driver’s license for a full 12 months. Other factors that could cause you to lose your license for a Driving Under the Influence conviction include the number of previous convictions you have, and having one or more children under the age of 14 in the car with you when you have been drinking and driving.

It is also important for a person holding a regular driver’s license, who was arrested for Driving Under the Influence, to contact an experience Pittsburgh DUI attorney. A DUI conviction, in general, will have a negative effect on your life; add a license suspension to it, and your job and ability to care for your family are in danger.

If you or a loved one have been charged with Driving Under the Influence in or around the city of Pittsburgh, you will need an experienced criminal defense attorney. The Logue Criminal Defense team serves Pittsburgh, PA, and the surrounding areas, including West Virginia and Ohio. To get in touch and schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh Criminal Defense lawyer from Logue Law Group, call us today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you can contact us online.

Don’t wait to call! The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more difficult it becomes for him or her to get a good outcome for you and your case. Call today!

How to Plan a Safe Ride Home during a Night Out

Are you going to a party where you are likely to indulge in drinking? Then, you must ensure that you have planned a safe ride home prior to even setting out for the party.

• Designate a Driver for the Night

When you plan a night out with friends, you should first decide who will be the designated driver for the night. Then, you should make sure that you don’t give him or her any alcoholic beverage or intoxicating snacks during the time you are out and about.

• Book the Uber/Lyft App

This is your ultimate solution to finding a safe ride home after the party. All you have to do is use your smartphone and download the Lyft or Uber app and get a driver to take you back home. And, it gives you the ability to not make a cash payment to the driver or give him a tip.

• Stay Over at Your Friend’s

You might also try to spend the night at your friend’s where you are going to party that night. This is a great solution because, with this arrangement, you don’t have to worry about assigning someone as the driver, worry about the cab expenses, surge prices of apps like Uber or Lyft, and so on. You should also be a little grateful and kind by offering to clean up after the party along with your host.

• Contact a Local Cab Company

If you don’t want to download the apps that allow you to use companies like Lyft or Uber, then you can save the phone number of a local cab company and contact them whenever you want to leave. This is probably a pricier option, but for those who are more traditional, it’s a good one.

• Public Transit

Another option that you have is to use public transportation, if possible. After the party ends, you should resort to the nearest train or bus station, and take the appropriate route home.

• Be a Responsible Drinker

You should discipline your eating and drinking habits at the party. Drink lots of water as well and avoiding drinking alcohol on an empty stomach is empty.

• Don’t Gorge on Salty Snacks

If you gorge on salty snacks, it is likely to make you thirstier and therefore, cause you to drink more and faster, which might lead to irresponsible consequences later on.

• Help Your Friends & Family Get Safe Rides Home

When you are at such a party, you should care for your friends and family too and help them get home while they are impaired. Arrange a safe ride for them too. Get them picked up from the location of the party and then dropped at home too with the help of Uber or Lyft.

You should realize that the consequences of a DUI charge are dangerous and can cost you more than just money. Only a successful and experienced Pittsburgh DUI lawyer can help you on being arrested for such an offense and protect your rights and interests in the best manner possible. Therefore, contact one today and get a free consultation now.

A preliminary hearing is the first step after a DUI arrest. When a Driving Under the Influence case gets to a preliminary hearing, the district court judge is looking at the police officer’s case against the driver, to see if there is a “prima facie case” that has been made. Prima facie is a Latin term for “at first look” or “on its face.” This means that the judge is looking to see if the cop had an actual reason to suspect a driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The first thing he will look at is to see if there was a traffic violation that led to the stop. He needs to see that there is enough actual evidence produced by the arresting officer to proceed to trial.

The next thing the judge will look at is probable cause. Probable cause means that the police officer had reasons to suspect you were drinking and driving. This is a right given to every citizen in the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Probable cause can be as simple as the smell of alcohol on your breath. If he does not have probable cause (reason to suspect) that you were drinking and driving, your arrest was illegal, and your charges will be dropped.

The next thing the judge will look as is implied consent warnings. Did the officer who stopped you remind you that you gave implied consent to field sobriety tests and blood, breath, and urine tests at the time you accepted your driver’s license?

If any of these three things are missing, the judge can dismiss DUI charges. “Beyond a reasonable doubt” is not the standard for a preliminary hearing. The purpose of this first hearing or set of hearings is to determine if the DUI arrest was warranted and legal, and if there is enough evidence to take it to trial. Nothing regarding guilt or innocence must be proven at this stage.

Sean Logue and his associates at Logue Law Group have gotten many DUI cases dismissed at the preliminary hearing level. In each case, the officer either had no reason to pull the client over, or no reason to arrest him for DUI.

Often, charges are reduced or dismissed when the defense attorney asks for a hearing waiver. For example, if the DUI is a second-tier level charge, which means the BAC was 0.10 to 0.159 percent, the cop may agree to drop the charge to a first-level DUI, which means the defendant’s consequences won’t be as harsh.

Another time this might happen is in the case of a first-time DUI offender who is eligible for ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition). Upon successful completion of the program, the charges will be dismissed, and the offender is eligible to have it wiped completely from his criminal record (expunged).

Have you been stopped for Driving Under the Influence and arrested? Are you facing a preliminary hearing? If so, you will need an experienced DUI attorney to represent you. The Logue Criminal Defense team has successfully defended many clients at preliminary hearings, getting their DUI charges dropped. Logue Law Group serves the Pittsburgh, PA area, as well as West Virginia and Ohio. Call today for a free initial consultation: 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you may contact us online.

Don’t wait to call! Driving Under the Influence charges have very serious consequences. If you wait until after your preliminary hearing to hire representation, you are losing out on an opportunity to get your case dropped before it has a chance to start. Sean Logue and his associates are waiting to help you out of this potentially sticky situation. Call today!

1. Write Everything DownDetails are what win and lose DUI cases. Write all the details of your DUI stop, regardless of how important they seem. Do this right away. Memories fade over time, and you want to get it all down while it’s fresh, so that you can say with certainty that this is what happened. These are important details that could help you win your case. Try to answer these questions:
   • Where were you when you were stopped?
   • When were you stopped?
   • What did you tell the cop about what you had been eating or drinking?
   • What was the cop’s reason for stopping you?
   • What kind of tests did they do? Walk and turn? Eye tracking? One leg stand?
   • Did they do a breath test? If they did, describe the device.Don’t share these details with anyone other than your attorney, so that they can’t be used against you later.
2. Set your social media profiles to privateProsecutors regularly look defendants up on social media. They’re looking for incriminating photos or comments that you made. Remember that anything you post online can and will be used against you. Taken out of context, as they inevitably will be if the prosecutor gets his hands on them, these photos and comments can ruin your reputation and turn the jury against you, regardless of your guilt or innocence. Don’t let them have the ammunition to get you convicted. We can’t advise you to take anything down, but we can tell you to mark your profile as private. Also, keeping quiet about it online is the best policy.
3. Witnesses? Find them.Talk to your family and friends, and even your acquaintances. Especially if they saw you right before, during, or right after your DUI stop. See if they’ll be willing to testify for you in court. Witnesses can be incredibly helpful in shoring up your defense, so you should gather as many as you possibly can. Your Pittsburgh DUI Attorney will want to get their statements. Just like you will forget the details, so will they. A reliable alibi witness can mean the difference between getting a not guilty verdict or being convicted.
4. Hire the best Pittsburgh DUI attorney you can find.Finding the right attorney is the most important decision you can make when faced with DUI charges. Look at the experience and training the lawyer has. DUI cases involve a great deal of science and scientific procedures. Does your lawyer have training in that science? Is he a trial lawyer or a plea attorney?Take your time in choosing the right attorney. Meet with a few and then make your decision, and be sure to ask them about their credentials before you decide.
5. Don’t obsess over your caseFacing DUI charges is one of the most stressful things you’ll ever do. It’s natural to allow it to fill your mind. However, you should avoid that. Instead, allow your Pittsburgh DUI attorney to handle the details. Keep in communication with him; good communication is key to winning your case. An experienced attorney will do the fighting for you, so you can relax and live your life as you always do.

If you or a loved one have been charged with a DUI in or around the city of Pittsburgh, you will need an experienced criminal defense attorney. The Logue Criminal Defense team serves Pittsburgh, PA, and the surrounding areas, including West Virginia and Ohio. To get in touch and schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh Criminal Defense lawyer from Logue Law Group, call us today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you can contact us online.

Don’t wait to call! The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more difficult it becomes for him or her to get a good outcome for you and your case. Call today!

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration says that most DUI arrests are first-time offenses. First-time offenders don’t know the legal process, the options they have for their defense, and the consequences they’re facing. Hiring an experienced Pittsburgh DUI attorney is a good way to get help navigating this complex legal process.

Aren’t DUI and DWI the Same Thing?

Yes, they are, pretty much. Drunk driving is labeled different things in different states. Some call it OWI—Operating While Intoxicated/Operating While Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs. Some states call it DWI. This used to stand for Driving While Intoxicated, but has been changed to Driving While Impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Here in Pennsylvania, the correct term to use is DUI. DUI means Driving Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs.

The standards for DUI are the same in every state, despite the differences in the name of the offense. If you are stopped by the cops and your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or over, you can be arrested for and charged with DUI (or DWI or OWI in other states.) The consequences for a conviction are different in every state.

Pennsylvania has three DUI levels. They are based on Blood Alcohol Content, otherwise known as BAC.

• General Impairment: 0.08 percent to 0.099 percent BAC
• High DUI: 0.10 percent to 0.159 percent BAC
• Highest DUI: 0.16 percent BAC and above
• The top two levels are often called “middle” and “high,” but they are officially “high” and “highest.”

Pennsylvania has other laws, as well, that sometimes surprise people, especially underage drinkers and first-time offenders. One is the Zero Tolerance Law, which says that drivers under 21 are not allowed to have any alcohol in their system at all, though the official legal limit is 0.02 percent.

DUI and Drugs

DUI can also mean “driving under the influence of drugs.” The procedures for arresting someone are different in this case than for alcohol, but many of the consequences are the same. For example, if an officer suspects a person has been drinking, he can request a breathalyzer, but there’s no breath test for drug use. A blood test is often the only way to test a person for driving while under the influence of drugs.

Someone can be charged with Driving Under the Influence of Drugs if one or more of the following is true:

• There is a metabolite of a schedule 1 drug in the driver’s blood
• The driver looks and acts like he is under the influence of a combination of alcohol and drugs to the point where he cannot drive safely
• There is any schedule 1 drug in the driver’s blood
• The driver looks and acts like he is under the influence of one or more drugs to the point where he cannot drive safely

A metabolite is a chemical “signature” that says a drug was present in the blood.

Remember that all tests for chemical substances can be administered improperly at times. Coming up positive does not mean you will automatically get a DUI. Your Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney knows how to help you.

Have you been stopped while driving and arrested for DUI? If so, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you, one who has handled many DUI cases. The Logue Criminal Defense team has defended hundreds of people arrested for DUI, including those arrested for Driving Under the Influence of drugs. Logue Law Group serves Pittsburgh, PA, West Virginia, and Ohio. Call today for a consultation. 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. We may also be contacted online.

Your lawyer will review all the information about your arrest and/or DUI accident. This information is extremely important to help him successfully defend you, so don’t hold any details back. He will present to you suggested defenses, and help you choose the one that will get you the outcome you desire.

The attorney you hire will guide you through the complex legal processes and explain things to you so that you understand what is happening.

It’s important that you hire an attorney right away, and even more important that the lawyer you hire be trained, knowledgeable, and experienced in DUI law, so that he can get you the best possible outcome. If you wait too long before you decide to hire a lawyer, you may not be able to avoid some of the harshest consequences.

Don’t try to go it alone. Pennsylvania’s DUI laws are complex, and the court system is complicated and confusing. A DUI conviction carries with it some harsh penalties, up to and including large fines and time in prison. Your life is too important to leave to chance. A good DUI attorney will be able to get your charges reduced or dismissed, depending on the circumstances of your case.

Don’t wait to call! The longer you wait to hire a lawyer to represent you, the more difficult it becomes for him to get those charges reduced or dismissed.

There are many possible defenses available to you. Your Pittsburgh DUI defense lawyer knows the laws inside and out, and is willing and able to search case law for precedents that have been set that might help you. Trust him to put his knowledge and training to good use for you.

Your attorney will look at the device or method by which your blood alcohol content was determined to check its accuracy, the procedures followed during the assessment, the training of the administrator of the test, and the calibration and maintenance of any machines or devices used to conduct the test. Any mistakes or lack of training or maintenance can lead to discredited evidence.

The lawyer will also examine any police video that exists of your DUI stop and arrest, to make sure proper procedure was followed, and in some cases that your vehicle was the one the cop needed to pull over. Cops are human just like everyone else, and they make mistakes. Any mistakes on the part of police officers can lead to discredited evidence against you.

Below is a list of websites where you can find additional information about driving in general, drunk driving, and drunk driving accidents.

DUI laws in Pennsylvania (from PA Department of Motor Vehicles)

Calculate your own BAC (from NCDD)

Information about ignition interlock devices from Intoxalock

Alcohol education and information from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Title 75 from the PA General Assembly (PDF)

Pennsylvania Traffic Safety publications from PennDOT

Impaired driving in Pennsylvania information from PennDOT

Young drivers, safety tips and underage DUI from PennDOT

New DUI laws, dated 12/23/18

Have you or someone you love been charged with Driving Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs, or causing an accident while intoxicated? If so, you need a highly trained, experienced, knowledgeable, aggressive, and dedicated DUI attorney to defend you against your charges. The Logue Criminal Defense team has defended hundreds of DUI cases. Logue Law Group serves Pittsburgh, PA, West Virginia, and Ohio. Call today for a free initial consultation: 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you may contact us online. We respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What You Must Know

• If chemical tests reveal your BAC levels to be 0.08% or higher you shall be charged with DUI
• You can lose your license for a year or even more and attend a treatment program
• You may need to serve prison term and also pay high fines

What Will the Police Look for?

In short they try and spot erratic driving on the road. This includes weaving, swerving and driving below the speed limit. They would also take note of other circumstances such as coming close to hitting a vehicle or other stationary object.

What Happens When the Police Stop You?

They would be looking for evidences of alcohol consumption such as bloodshot eyes, fumbling hands, flushed face, slurred speech and unable to control yourself while getting out of the vehicle.

Field Sobriety Tests

This is one of the common physical tests that the police would ask you to undertake. This basically tests your physical agility and mental capabilities under the influence of alcohol. In this test the police would ask you to –

• Balance yourself on one leg
• Walk in a straight line and turn
• Recite an alphabet with a random letter they give you
• Follow a moving object or light with your head still

Blood Alcohol Concentration Level

The police would ask you to take blood, breath or urine test which is used to measure the BAC level in your body. As mentioned above BAC of 0.08% or above can invite DUI charges under the DUI laws in Pittsburgh. The police can also charge you with DUI below this level if they feel you are impaired and pose threat behind the wheels of a car. This test needs to be carried out within 2 hours of your arrest. Refusing to take this test can lead to suspension of license for a year or even more.

Three-Tier System

The State of Pennsylvania follows a three-tier system to determine the level of punishments in DUI cases and this is based on the level of BAC.

• BAC between 0.08% and 0.099% is the first and the lowest tier for sentencing accused. It is also known as General Impairment
• The middle tier is termed as High Impairment and BAC levels between 0.10% and 0.159% fall into this category
• BAC levels of 0.16% and above invite strictest punishment and it is termed as Highest Impairment

What DUI Conviction Can Lead To?

• It results in a permanent criminal record and can become an obstacle in finding desired jobs
• Car insurance premiums rise substantially for people with DUI convictions
• In case of injury, death of a person or property damage the accused would face additional sentencing

How to Handle Police on the Road?

• Don’t use force or try talk your way out of arrest
• Don’t acknowledge that you have been drinking
• Politely refuse to give out any statements without the assistance of your DUI Lawyer

Your Probable Defense

Every DUI charge and the circumstance around it is unique and hence your DUI lawyer would try and prove –

• You weren’t driving the vehicle
• Police had no legitimate reasons to stop you
• You weren’t impaired
• The DUI checkpoint didn’t meet standards and the test was administered incorrectly
• The equipment used in the test wasn’t calibrated as per law

How a Lawyer Will Help

With such high stakes you need a DUI Lawyer in Pittsburgh who will offer you the best legal counsel based on your actual circumstances. He/she would design your best defense strategy and discredit all the evidence that is presented in the court. In a worst case scenario your attorney would try and make sure you get the lightest possible punishment.

For a free consultation with an effective DUI defense attorney and advice on the DUI laws in the Pittsburgh area, contact us online today, or by calling 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901.

• Doctors – In the case of doctors it isn’t impossible for the Pennsylvania Medical Board to cancel your license. In most cases you will have to undergo a special hearing where your fitness and character to be in this profession would be gauged. You may also have to pay higher malpractice insurance premiums and if you choose to hide your DUI conviction you can lose your license to practice.
• Dentists – It is mandatory for dentists to report DUI convictions when it comes to renewal of their license. The State Board of Dentistry reviews each application and assesses your individual case. In case you are applying for a fresh license you must disclose your DUI convictions and the board would assess your case.
• Lawyers – Lawyers don’t have it easy either as the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania makes it mandatory to report all convictions. Their malpractice rates goes up and they can lose their bar license.
• Nurses – Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing makes it mandatory to report conviction and also whether they went to an ARD when it comes to license renewal. The Board often disciplines nurses if they are convicted in a DUI case or are addicted to illegal substances or alcohol.
• Pharmacists – Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy needs to be aware of DUI conviction for pharmacists. The Professional Compliance Office determines the penalties by reviewing every case individually. They may also be ordered to undergo the Professional Health Monitoring Program’s Voluntary Recovery Program.
• Pilots – The Federal Aviation Administration and the Civil Action Security Division makes it mandatory to report DUI convictions and license suspension within 60 days. Failure to do so can mean denial, revocation or suspension of pilot’s license.
• Commercial Drivers – Truck drivers, bus drivers and taxi drivers who hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) have different legal limits and BAC levels of 0.04% or more can attract DUI charges. A commercial driver can be held guilty of DUI even if he/she is driving a personal vehicle and can lose CDL and personal license for a year. If found driving the commercial vehicle under influence they can lose license for an additional year. In case of drivers transporting hazardous chemicals CDL can be suspended for three years. If a driver is charged with DUI for a second time he/she can lose CDL for life.
• Police – They don’t have it any easier and face the same consequences as others. The punishment is based on the record of the officer apart from the general consequences that they have to face.
• Teachers – Teachers convicted with DUI face harsh punishment from their employer where every school system handles teachers having its own set of rules to deal with the offender based on the actual circumstances around the event. They can lose their teaching license if the DUI case also involved drugs.
• Firefighters – The fire department deals with DUI convictions very strongly and it can also result in loss of job.
• EMTs – EMTs need to report DUI conviction within 30 days to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. In most case the EMT license is suspended. It becomes almost impossible for one to apply for a Certified EMT license with DUI conviction.

How Your Pittsburgh Lawyer Can Help

As you can clearly see consequence of DUI conviction can be shattering for licensed professionals and that is why you need a good DUI Lawyer in Pittsburgh by your side to fight for your rights and safeguard your interests. Each case is different and the attorney would prepare a tailored strategy to defend you.

For a free initial consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh lawyer from Logue Law Group, contact us online or call 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901.

What You Should Know About the DUI Case Court Process? Preliminary Arraignment

This is the first stage of the court process, and since the accused appears in the court for the first time, it is known as a preliminary arraignment. Here the charges against you would be read, and through your DUI Lawyer, you will have to plead either guilty or not guilty. Once this is done the date for the next process, the preliminary hearing will be decided. In Pittsburgh, the arraignment is held through closed-circuit TV cameras. The judge would conduct the hearing through video conferencing where they can see and hear you.

Preliminary Hearing

This is one of the most important stages in the DUI case court process and would be held in person before the judge. This is done to save you from unlawful detention and arrest. The Commonwealth has the burden of proving prima facie that a DUI crime has been committed and you are the one who is suspected to have been behind the crime. Your DUI attorney has the opportunity to get some of the charges dismissed or dropped in exchange for a hearing waiver. In case the prosecution is able to substantiate its claim of you breaking the law with enough evidence the DUI case would be scheduled for arraignment at the Court of Common Pleas.

Formal Arraignment and ARD

At this stage, the police would present the reports related to your DUI arrest. If this is the first instance of DUI violation and your act didn’t result in an accident and there was no death or injury, you become eligible for ARD or Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition and your attorney can appeal for an ARD. It is a two-year diversionary program and allows you to have all the charges against you expunged from the record if you successfully complete the program.

Pre-Trial Conference

This stage in the case your attorney has the opportunity to request for fresh discoveries in the case. Many of the issues related to the case can be resolved at this stage before your case moves to the trial stage. Your attorney can ask for all the lab reports related to your BAC levels that are being used by the prosecution to charge you with DUI. It is also a bargaining stage where your attorney would be able to negotiate the best possible outcome with the prosecution.

Trial

In the event of the negotiations having failed or your attorney failing to get you an ARD, your case would go to trial. At this stage of the DUI case court process, the court would take a position on whether you were guilty or not guilty based on the evidence and testimony presented to the court. The judge would finally pronounce the judgment, and if found guilty, you would be sentenced as per law.

How Your Lawyer can Help

The outcome of your DUI case often rests on the expertise of a DUI Lawyer in the Pittsburgh area. He/she would offer you the best legal counsel based on the exact status of the case and defend you passionately. Your lawyer would try and discredit all the evidence brought against you and in the worst possible scenario, ensure that you escape with the least possible punishment.

It’s vitally important that you do not put off hiring an attorney. Without one, you could be facing far worse consequences than you deserve.

For a free initial consultation with an experienced DUI lawyer from Logue law in Pittsburgh, contact us online or call 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Logue Law Group proudly serves Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas, including Eastern Ohio and West Virginia.

What are the Costs of a DUI in Pittsburgh?

The laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are the laws of Pittsburgh in regard to Driving Under the Influence. You will receive a fine, and have to pay for and attend a mandatory traffic school. The amount of your fine will vary according to your previous record, your Blood Alcohol Content, the kind of driver’s license you have, and whether your case involved an injury, a death, or an accident. Fines range from $300 to $10,000.

Additional costs, not to mention headaches, come in when your insurance company finds out about your DUI conviction. If they don’t drop you, your rates will skyrocket. You will have to pay for an ignition interlock device to be installed on your car. This device will only allow you to drive after it tests your breath and approves you to start and drive the car. Typically, an ignition interlock device costs around $1,000.

Don’t forget to count time lost at work. Even if you escape a conviction, you’ll have to take time off to go to court. If you get convicted, though, you could spend two days to 60 months in jail, which means no work. Then you add in the mark on your permanent, public criminal record, a record that your boss, any future employers, and your neighbors can all see, and you may find yourself without a job and unemployable.

The above-mentioned jail time and fines are based on a conviction for a simple DUI. If yours happens to have involved an accident, injury, or death, the penalties increase exponentially and could involve tens of thousands of dollars in fines and years in prison.

Lastly, at a minimum, you’ll lose your license if you are convicted of DUI and your freedom if you go to jail. Isn’t the cost of preventing all of this worth it? Can you assign a dollar amount to the value of maintaining your freedom and a clear criminal record? How important is it to you to be able to drive yourself where and when you want to?

Comparing the Cost of a DUI Conviction With the Cost of a DUI Attorney

Many attorneys charge by the hour, even criminal defense attorneys specializing in DUI. Others, Logue Law Group included, charge a flat fee. The fee is based on the number of previous DUI’s you have and the other charges, if any, you are facing.

Keep in mind that an attorney who specializes in defending DUI cases has a high likelihood of getting your charges either reduced or dismissed altogether. That’s not something that’s likely to happen if you try to defend yourself, and won’t happen at all if you just plead guilty.

That sounds a whole lot better than paying thousands of dollars and losing out on a paycheck while you’re in jail.

If you or a loved one have been charged with Driving Under the Influence in or around the city of Pittsburgh, you will need an experienced criminal defense attorney. Sean Logue and his team serve the counties around Pittsburgh, PA, the City of Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Ohio. To reach out and schedule a no-cost initial consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh Criminal Defense lawyer from Logue Law Group, call us today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you can contact us online.

Don’t wait to call! The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more difficult it becomes for him or her to get a good outcome for you and your case. Call today!

These tests have been approved by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, and have been standardized so that everyone who takes them should respond one way or another. This is supposed to make it easier for cops to identify drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Failure to pass a field sobriety test does not mean you are drunk. The tests are not easy to pass, even when a driver has not been drinking at all, and is in a controlled environment, inside a building on a flat surface. Most of the time, a field sobriety test is given outdoors in whatever weather happens to be out there. It is often dark, cold, and windy, snowy, or rainy. The surface of a roadway, which is generally where a field sobriety test is given, is rarely nice and flat. Instead, it has bumps and dips from the wear of tires and upheavals due to heat and cold. Judges and prosecutors know that these tests are difficult to perform in perfect conditions. Cops are asking people to walk nine steps in a straight line, then back nine more and hold their foot in the air for thirty seconds, in bad weather. Just because you didn’t pass those tests does not mean you were drunk, especially if there is no evidence from the officer’s dash cam video.

In addition, certain medical conditions make the tests difficult or impossible to perform. Not everyone is able to walk a straight line, even when sober, and not everyone has the ability to balance themselves on one leg for even a couple seconds.

If you have been charged with DUI, the first thing you need to do is employ a Pittsburgh DUI attorney with the right training and background. Explain to him what happened, in detail, giving him all the circumstances of your arrest. He will interpret your charges, describe what you face as you move through the justice system, and lay out what your alternatives are.

Convictions for Driving Under the Influence will cause all manner of chaos for you and your family. Enlisting the aid an accomplished attorney as soon as you are arrested is the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones. Get the legal help you deserve and call Logue Law Group for a free consultation. The Pittsburgh DUI attorneys at Logue Law Group are single-minded about helping clients get to the end of their journey with a great result. They are persevering and seasoned, and willing to take on prosecutors to win your freedom.

Keep in mind that your Pittsburgh DUI attorney will need to hear all the details. Don’t dither about trusting him. Go ahead and confide in him, so he has everything he needs to represent you well. He will make sure to explain your charges to you in a way you can understand, and describe your defense choices. He will remain by your side as you maneuver through the criminal justice system.

If you or a loved one has been charged with Driving Under the Influence in or around the city of Pittsburgh, you will need an experienced criminal defense attorney. The Logue Criminal Defense team serves Pittsburgh, PA, and the surrounding areas, including West Virginia and Ohio. To get in touch and schedule a free initial consultation with a skillful Pittsburgh Criminal Defense lawyer from Logue Law Group, call us today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you can contact us online.

Don’t wait to call! The more time that passes between your arrest and the moment you hire an attorney, the harder it is for him or her to get a good outcome for you and your case. Call today!

It is vital for a driver who has been charged with DUI in the Pittsburgh area to confer with a trained and experienced DUI attorney. Having a lawyer helping you will increase the chances of you having a favorable outcome to your case. But, for you to understand the penalties you are facing, it’s important to know what Pennsylvania law says about commercial drivers and DUI.

DUI Laws for Commercial Drivers

The law in Pennsylvania as it pertains to commercial CDL holders is rather strict. Statutory law states that CDL holders risk their career for the decisions made while they operated their commercial vehicle and while operating their personal vehicle, as well. Pennsylvania DUI law prohibits CDL holders from:

• Operating a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.04% or higher
• Operating a non-commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher

CDL holders generally have two types of licenses. They have their CDL license, and they have a personal driver’s license authorized by the state. It’s possible for both of those licenses to be suspended at the same time. Whether this happens or not depends entirely on the DUI charge itself and the penalties associated with it.

Implied Consent Law

Drivers who hold a CDL license are required to abide by Pennsylvania’s implied consent law. The law requires that any license holder arrested under suspicion of DUI take a blood, breath, or urine test. If a police officer believes without a reasonable doubt that the person in charge of the vehicle is driving while intoxicated, the cop can ask that he or she take a chemical test. If a driver refuses to comply, there are harsh consequences. The person’s license may be suspended for one year the first time. Any subsequent offenses will lead to an 18-month license suspension.

DUI Penalties for Drivers of Commercial Vehicles

Commercial vehicle drivers who are convicted of DUI face strict penalties that were specifically targeted to them. A CDL holder whose blood alcohol content is over 0.04% faces a charge that is considered to be a “high rate” DUI. A commercial driver who is convicted of high rate DUI will face mandatory jail time, even if it’s a first offense. Below is a list of penalties that CDL holders generally get when they get a DUI.

First DUI

• Highway safety school
• Fine of up to $5000
• Jail sentence of up to six months
• Drug and alcohol treatment program completion
• CDL license suspended for a minimum of one year
• Personal driver’s license suspended for a minimum of one year

Second DUI (within 10 years of a previous offense)

• Community service
• Ignition interlock device installation
• Personal driver’s license suspended for 18 months
• Fine of up to $10,000
• Drug and alcohol treatment program completion
• Lifetime ban of CDL
• Highway safety school
• Jail sentence of up to five years

Third and Subsequent DUI (within 10 years of a previous offense)

• Up to five years in jail
• Personal driver’s license suspended for 18 months
• Drug and alcohol treatment program completion
• Fine of up to $10,000
• Ignition interlock device installation
• Community service

It’s important to remember that a DUI conviction on the record of a commercial driver’s license holder becomes a permanent part of his driving record. Potential employers will be able to see it. Getting another commercial driving job is very hard after a DUI conviction. Employers prefer drivers who have clean records, because it keeps their liability down.

A driving record free of convictions is crucial for a commercial driver to retain his job and sustain his career. Remember that it’s vitally important to contact a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney who is experienced and well-trained in DUI defense. Call Sean Logue and his associates 24/7 at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901 for a free initial consultation. If you prefer, they can be reached online here. Logue Law serves Pittsburgh, PA, Ohio, and West Virginia.

I wrote a few months back about a marijuana breath test that is in development – and in demand by law enforcement officials across the country.

But now there is news of another bit of technology that police hope will help them more quickly and efficiently determine if a driver is under the influence of marijuana.

Currently, law enforcement officials must rely on blood or urine tests to determine the level of THC (the chemical in weed that is responsible for most of the drug’s psychological effects) in a driver’s system. The problem? The time it takes to get results back from the lab – it could take weeks, and that’s if said lab isn’t in the weeds (no pun intended).

Not so with what is being called the Cannibuster.

The brainchild of Kathleen Stitzlein, a graduate student at the University of Akron, and a few others, the Cannibuster is basically a device that measures the amount of THC in the system through a sample of saliva and can give an officer a reading in mere minutes.

The problem this Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney has with the whole concept is this: Reliability. A DUI – whether the alleged intoxicant is alcohol, marijuana or another drug – is nothing to joke about. There are serious consequences, not the least of which could be a license suspension or even jail time.

So, if a cop is gonna charge someone, it’s my position that they need to be sure.

Yet, Breathalyzers testing for alcohol are notoriously inaccurate – and they’ve been around since 1954. So, I’m not sold on the concept that the Cannibuster will immediately be reliable enough to be used on a widespread scale.

Here’s another reason why: The technology must be purchased by local law enforcement departments, which means those communities will need to dedicate significant funds to purchase the technology – or rely on grant money to make the purchases.

Regardless, drivers, marijuana advocates and Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney like me who handle a huge volume of DUI cases should keep the Cannibuster on their radar.

I know I am.

Update: August 31, 2017

Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program was signed into law on April 17, 2016. Full implementation is expected no later than April 2018.

Applications were opened to medical marijuana growers, producers, and dispensaries this past January. The Department of Health has created a set of temporary regulations to guide everyone involved in the process. MJ Freeman was given a contract for tracking the marijuana from the pre-planting stage to the final sale stage. Doctors have been able to add themselves to the Department’s Physician Registry since July 26th. This is the first step they must take to participate in the program.

As of this date, 27 dispensaries and 12 growers/producers are permitted to take part. A Medical Marijuana Physician’s Workgroup has been created. This is the website where potential participants in the program can go to complete the application process.

If you are under a doctor’s care and being treated for a serious condition, you may qualify to receive medical marijuana as a form of treatment.

Source: Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program

Update March 31, 2019

The inventor of the Cannibuster is still working on a prototype of the device. She has received several grants and matching funds in the four years since she first proposed it, developed as part of her PhD project in biomedical engineering. Her long-term goals are to make the Cannibuster available for home use, but for now, she’s focusing on law enforcement use. She has heard from sheriffs and police departments across Ohio who are interested in the device. Her next step, once she defends her dissertation and the prototype is completed, will be clinical trials. I hope she does a thorough job of testing, because I still have concerns about reliability.

About the Author

Alex Scioscia is a legal content writer who specializes in producing clear, research-driven articles on criminal defense, DUI law, and related legal topics. His work focuses on helping readers understand complex legal issues and stay informed about their rights throughout the legal process.

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-scioscia/

Plea Bargains: What are They?

When a prosecutor or district attorney agrees to reduce a DUI charge if the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge, a plea bargain has occurred. Generally, in this scenario, the lesser charge you plea to also comes with less severe punishments than the original DUI charge. You could plead guilty to reckless driving, speeding, or another traffic violation that is not DUI-related, and the district attorney would then drop the DUI charges. You pay the fines for the lesser charge, and keep a DUI off your criminal history.

There are several factors that come into play in a plea bargain. If the prosecutor doesn’t have a strong case, he will be more likely to agree to one. Or, if the arresting officer’s conduct was incorrect or the results of the BAC test are questionable, the prosecutor will be more inclined to agree. Basically, there are times when a plea bargain is in the district attorney’s best interests while also being in yours. One of these times is when neither party wants the case to go to trial.

Your Pittsburgh DUI attorney can ask the prosecutor for a plea bargain that favors his client more but is also fair to everyone and still allows justice to be served. Sometimes an attorney might make the recommendation to go to trial, but he would take the time to give his client accurate information that would enable the client to make an informed decision. DUI lawyers with experience know when a plea bargain is to their client’s benefit. In the end, the decision to go to trial or accept a plea bargain is in the hands of the client.

Can I Negotiate my Own Plea Bargain?

The short answer is no. You can try, but you do not have the experience and knowledge of the law to do it alone. You need an experienced Pittsburgh DUI attorney to help you with it.

As mentioned above, there are numerous other charges one can plead guilty to in exchange for DUI charges being dropped. One of these is called “wet reckless,” or reckless driving-alcohol related. The availability of this charge depends on the circumstances of your case. How drunk were you? If you were close to the legal limit of 0.08%, pleading to this might be an option.

Your attorney will look at other factors, as well, to see if this might be something you can plead to. The number of previous DUI convictions you have plays a big part, as does your previous criminal record. Were you found with drugs or drug paraphernalia, or an open container? Did you resist arrest or try to flee? Any of these extra charges will likely disqualify you from pleading to a wet reckless charge. Finally, if there was an accident that goes along with your DUI arrest, even if it was not your fault, chances are high that you will not be able to plead to a wet reckless charge.

If you or a loved one has been charged with Driving Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs, and wish to try to get a plea bargain, you will need a criminal defense attorney. The Logue Criminal Defense team has the experience to guide you through the maze that is the court system. Logue Law Group serves Pittsburgh, PA, West Virginia, and Ohio. To schedule a consultation with Sean Logue and his team of experienced Pittsburgh Criminal Defense lawyers, call 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901, or contact us online.

Don’t delay! The more time that passes between your arrest and when you hire an attorney, the more difficult it will be for you to get a plea bargain that will reduce or dismiss your charges and leave your criminal record free of a DUI conviction. Call today!

About the Author

Alex Scioscia is a legal content writer who specializes in producing clear, research-driven articles on criminal defense, DUI law, and related legal topics. His work focuses on helping readers understand complex legal issues and stay informed about their rights throughout the legal process.

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-scioscia/

If you choose to plead guilty to DUI, you will always and without exception be found guilty.

1. Don’t assume your case can’t be won. If you find a lawyer who looks at the facts of your case, including your BAC, and right away starts telling you that you should plead guilty, do not hire him. Many Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyers advertise themselves as “DUI lawyers” but lack specific training, experience, and knowledge to defend DUI cases properly. Do your due diligence when hiring an attorney. Ask him questions about his experience and training in handling DUI cases, and check out his qualifications.
2. Don’t agree to or stipulate the BAC. This is a common mistake among lawyers who have not been trained to properly handle DUI cases. They simply “stipulate” (agree) that the DUI results are accurate beyond question, then use some other grounds to contest the charges. Never should a lawyer do this. The government must be able to prove that their results are precise, accurate, and reliable so they can use the BAC reading to prove the DUI beyond a reasonable doubt. They must prove that all the proper procedures were followed, the analysis was completed using the proper equipment by a properly trained person, and that the specimen was collected the right way. To stipulate to a certain BAC reading is making the government’s job of winning their case against you incredibly easy.
3. Don’t forgo visiting the scene. If the attorney you choose is not familiar with the area where you were stopped or had your accident, ask him if he is planning on doing so, or if he’s sending a private investigator of his own to do it. By examining the scene, the attorney has first-hand, close-up knowledge of the area that he can use to question the arresting officer with confidence. For example, knowledge of a pothole where your accident occurred could explain a swerving vehicle, a circumstance the officer may have blamed on drunk or impaired driving. Also, photos or videos of the area can be helpful during trial as visuals for the judge and jury to look at, giving them a clearer picture.
4. Don’t forget to file a pre-trial motion. Every case should have a pre-trial motion filed. It will serve to further enhance the record used to limit or prove false the testimony of the officer when the case goes to trial, even if it’s unsuccessful as far as getting the case dismissed or evidence suppressed.
5. Don’t forget to question the validity of the field sobriety tests. If your attorney doesn’t know the phases of DUI detection, it’s like he’s playing a game with your future. A game he doesn’t know the rules to. You can be sure the prosecutor does know the rules. Your attorney needs to know the processes and protocols for the three Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and the Preliminary Breath Test. If your attorney doesn’t know these things, you could be convicted without proper evidence to support a conviction. There are other issues, as well, that should be looked at. If your lawyer doesn’t understand them or know about them, they won’t be looked into.
6. Don’t try to make the officer out to be a liar. It’s far better to show the jury or the judge that the cop might have made a mistake, rather than painting the officer out to be a habitual liar.
7. Don’t put your client on the stand! The Fifth Amendment gives you the right to be silent. This means you do not have to testify in court. It’s up to the prosecutor to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Unless it’s an unavoidable necessity to prove something, allow your attorney to speak for you.
8. Don’t forget to talk to a specialist. Just because an attorney advertises himself as a DUI attorney, does not mean he has the proper training. DUI law is complex, and changes frequently. The technology used to detect DUI and the science behind it are advanced. Being a DUI attorney requires a huge amount of training, experience, and dedication. Choose a DUI lawyer who has these things.
9. Don’t forgo using expert witnesses. Many times, using an expert witness is what brings an acquittal when a case goes to trial. Alternately, not using one is often what brings a conviction. Choose a lawyer who regularly uses experts.
10. Don’t waive a preliminary hearing. If you do this, your case will always go to trial. The preliminary hearing is a crucial step, as it’s the first chance to cross-examine the cop and anyone else involved, and proves to be a valuable “discovery” tool.

If you or a loved one have been charged with Driving Under the Influence in or around the city of Pittsburgh, you will need an experienced criminal defense attorney. The Logue Criminal Defense team serves Pittsburgh, PA, and the surrounding areas, including West Virginia and Ohio. To get in touch and schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh Criminal Defense lawyer from Logue Law Group, call us today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you can contact us online.

Don’t wait to call! The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more difficult it becomes for him or her to get a good outcome for you and your case. Call today!

About the Author

Alex Scioscia is a legal content writer who specializes in producing clear, research-driven articles on criminal defense, DUI law, and related legal topics. His work focuses on helping readers understand complex legal issues and stay informed about their rights throughout the legal process.

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-scioscia/

One of the ways in which a DUI conviction can affect a person is through their auto insurance. Most people know that their insurance company will penalize them for it, but few know just how bad it can get.

DUI and Insurance Providers

Most people who end up with a DUI conviction know that their rates will rise. What they do not know is just how high the insurance company is allowed to raise those rates. Sometimes, people have to pay thousands of dollars more for car insurance after they are convicted of DUI.

The reason for the huge increase is that rates are figured based on risk assessments. Each insurance company uses a different formula, but they all use the same factors to decide how much of a risk a particular customer is. The following is a list of the factors used:

• Age of the driver
• Number of tickets and other driving-related charges the driver has accrued over a certain period of time
• Type of car
• Color of car
• City or state the driver resides in
• Type of driving-related charges accrued

After examining these things, the insurance company will classify a driver as a high risk or a low risk and set their premiums accordingly.

Each insurance company has a different set of rules and a different time frame for post-DUI insurance changes. Some will drop you entirely at the first offense, though as noted elsewhere in this article, most won’t until the second or subsequent DUI.

High-Risk Driver Classification and DUI Convictions

It should not be a surprise to anyone that a person with a DUI on their criminal record will always be classified as high risk. This means that they have to choose from among three things in regards to car insurance: buy “high-risk” insurance, deal with a massively large rate increase, or leave their insurance company. If you have more than one DUI conviction, you could find yourself dropped by your auto insurance company.

The amount your rates will rise will depend on many factors. In addition to the simple fact that you got a DUI, things like the amount of damage to property you caused, if you did a hit and run, if you injured or killed someone, or if you resisted arrest all will be taken into consideration by the insurance company.

The SR-22 Requirement in Pennsylvania

An SR-22 is a form that a person convicted of DUI must file with Pennsylvania’s Department of Motor Vehicles if they had an insurance policy before they got their DUI. It is a statement that proves you have the required amount of vehicle insurance. Most of the time, a driver who submits an SR-22 will automatically be considered high-risk by their insurance company.

Clearly, a DUI conviction affects a person in more ways than just having a criminal record, going to jail, and paying huge fines. It has far-reaching effects in every area of life. If you have been charged with DUI, it’s vital that you immediately call a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney to represent you. Sean Logue and his associates at Logue Law Group are highly trained and experienced in DUI law, and are dedicated and aggressive enough to find the best way to defend you, getting your charges reduced or dismissed. Call Logue Law at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901, or reach out to them online, here. Initial consultations are free.

The attorneys at Logue Law Group serve the Pittsburgh area, including the surrounding counties, as well as Eastern Ohio and West Virginia.

About the Author

Alex Scioscia is a legal content writer who specializes in producing clear, research-driven articles on criminal defense, DUI law, and related legal topics. His work focuses on helping readers understand complex legal issues and stay informed about their rights throughout the legal process.

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-scioscia/

If you have been pulled over in Pittsburgh and charged with a DUI or a DWI you need to contact a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney to help you fight your case. Penalties for this crime are continuing to increase in severity and can significantly impact your life. This is especially true if your job depends on your ability to drive.

DUIs in PA are divided into three tiers depending on your Blood Alcohol Content. For a first DUI offense with BAC between .08 and .099, you can face 6 months’ probation and a $300 fine. If your BAC is between .1 and .159, you can spend anywhere between 2 days and 6 months in jail, pay fines from $500 to $5,000, and have your license suspended for 1 year. A BAC of .16 and higher can result in jail time from 3 days to 6 months, fines between $1,000 and $5,000, 1-year license suspension, and you may be required to attend alcohol highway safety school.

New laws implemented in 2017 require the installation of an ignition interlock device upon first DUI conviction. The device is installed at your cost. Additional changes to the DUI laws in 2018 make multiple DUI’s a felony. They do the same when a person’s BAC is above 0.16% and they cause an accident that kills someone. This rise in severity level means additional fines and longer prison sentences for offenders who are convicted of driving under the influence.

Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program (ARD) is available to first time DUI offenders. In cases where the prosecution has a strong case against you, this may be your best option. By taking the program, you are not pleading guilty, and after a successful completion of the program, the DUI charge can be expunged from your record. The circumstances of your particular case will determine if you qualify for the program. An experienced Pittsburgh DUI lawyer will present your case and is your best option to convince the prosecutor to allow you into the program, since the prosecution has the final say in the matter.

Our affordable Pittsburgh DUI attorneys do have means at their disposal to reduce or have the charges dropped altogether. Police have certain regulations they have to follow for an arrest to be lawful. First of all, they need to have probable cause to pull you over. Pennsylvania has an implied consent law; therefore, if you refuse a breathalyzer test, you may face immediate penalties. However, the breathalyzer needs to be properly calibrated, and the test needs to be administered and read by a person qualified to operate it. Police often fail to follow proper breathalyzer guidelines, which is to your advantage. Additionally, if you were stopped at a DUI checkpoint, there are standards the police must meet and procedures they must follow when setting it up. If they didn’t, your case could be dismissed.

You have the right to remain silent and a right to an attorney, both of which you should take advantage of. Be polite if the cops try to question you without a lawyer present, but refuse to reply.

Many attorneys charge by the hour. If your case requires a lot of research and travel, they will put in a lot of hours, and you will pay a high fee. The attorneys at Logue Law Group charge a flat fee for DUI cases, which saves you money. Sean Logue and his associates are highly trained in all aspects of DUI defense, from police procedures to the collection and analysis of blood alcohol content. By hiring Logue Law Group, you are getting an excellent value.

Logue Criminal Defense team serves Pittsburgh, PA, and the surrounding counties, Eastern Ohio, and West Virginia. To get in touch and schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh DUI lawyer from Logue Law Group, call us today at 412.387.6901 or 412.387.6901. Or, you can contact us online. Logue Law Group is available 24/7.

About the Author

Alex Scioscia is a legal content writer who specializes in producing clear, research-driven articles on criminal defense, DUI law, and related legal topics. His work focuses on helping readers understand complex legal issues and stay informed about their rights throughout the legal process.

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-scioscia/

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has declared these checkpoints illegal, unless they have the approval of the elected officials of the municipalities involved.

The Court’s decision came about through a case that was presented before them of a woman who came to a sobriety checkpoint outside of Star Lake Amphitheater, now called Key Bank Pavilion, in 2013. She was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, and later convicted.

The checkpoint in her case was one that involved officers from sixteen different municipalities who were part of the West Hills DUI Task Force. None of them had an ordinance, voted on and approved by elected officials, authorizing them to set up and take part in the checkpoint.

DUI defense attorney Michael Sherman, who represented the woman, named Molly Hlubin, said in an interview with KDKA’s political editor, Jon Delano, that the police had no authority to pull anyone over in Hlubin’s case, because elected officials had no say in the matter.

Sherman thinks the Supreme Court’s determination will affect thousands of people. Their cases could get tossed out and their convictions reversed if they were charged via a multi-town DUI task force. There are several of these task forces in the region. Their purpose includes making drivers more aware of DUI and highlighting the fact that cops are looking for drunk drivers.

The task forces have been effective, so it’s likely towns and boroughs will begin passing ordinances that authorize the checkpoints. The West Hills DUI Task Force has made 700 arrests in the last 15 years, getting drugged and drunk drivers off the roads. That’s a powerful testament to just how well they work, and I would imagine it would be hard for an elected official to ignore the need for them.

Local police departments can still set up their own sobriety checkpoints, of course. It’s legal for them to do so, and many will. They are eager to slow the flood of DUI’s, and checkpoints are the best way for them to screen large numbers of drivers in a short period of time. As for Molly Hlubin, her conviction and arrest have been tossed out by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Hlubin is from Buffalo, New York, and when she was convicted, that state was notified by Pennsylvania, because both states are part of the Driver License Compact. This compact is a multi-state agreement to share DUI information, and it means that traffic violations of all kinds follow a driver back to their home state. She faced similar consequences at home that she was facing in Pennsylvania.

For Hlubin, the evacuation of her arrest and conviction means that she will not face jail time or any other penalty in Pennsylvania. I’m not sure what New York will do with it now, though I would imagine they’d also give her back driving privileges and anything else that was taken away.

As a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney, I know just how common drinking and driving is, and how many drivers are caught using checkpoints. I think the Supreme Court has a valid opinion on this matter, but I don’t see their decision slowing the Task Forces down for long. As noted above, once official word of this reaches officials, we’ll start seeing a plethora of ordinances authorizing the Task Forces and their checkpoints.