Plea Deal for DUS in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Convicts of DUS probably get the worst nightmares! Because that happens to be quite a serious charge in Pennsylvania, and can quickly escalate to severe consequences in no time.
That’s why experienced lawyers move with a plea deal or plea bargain in such cases! It is a proposition that might save you not just from jail time, but also from going to trial! A plea bargain involves your lawyer coming into negotiations with the prosecution for a resolution without having to move on to any further proceedings.
A Pittsburgh criminal lawyer is, therefore, one of the best professionals who can effectively help you negotiate a plea deal to minimize your charges. Let’s take a detailed look at DUS and understand how a plea deal works.
A Brief Overview of DUS & the Penalties
DUS is a situation where you are operating a vehicle, even after your driving privileges have been revoked!
Now, there can be a plethora of reasons behind this. You may have-
- Prior unpaid fines
- Accumulated too many warning points.
- Committed any prior DUI offenses.
The penalties for such charges can get very serious, and range from hefty fines and license suspensions to even imprisonment! However, the prospect of jail time occurs especially if your suspension is DUI-related, or if it’s your second or subsequent offense.
Let’s take a closer look-
- 1543(a) First Offense: No mandatory imprisonment. $200 fine. One-year suspension of the driver’s license.
- 1543(a) Second or Subsequent Offense: Potential imprisonment up to 6 months. $200- $1000 fines. One-year suspension of the driver’s license.
- 1543(b) First Offense (DUI): Mandatory imprisonment of 60- 90 days. $500 fine. One-year suspension of driver’s license (additional 2 years of revocation if your license is revoked already.
- 1543(b) Second Offense (DUI): Mandatory imprisonment of 90 days. $1000 fine. One-year suspension of driver’s license (additional 2 years of revocation if your license is revoked already.
- 1543(b) Third of Subsequent Offense (DUI): Mandatory imprisonment of 6 months. $2500 fine. One-year suspension of driver’s license (additional 2 years of revocation if your license is revoked already.
So, as you can see, DUS might call upon a lot of complications. That’s exactly where a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer comes into the scenario. These qualified professionals can help navigate the case and also assist in reducing the overall charges effectively.
Types of Plea Deals that are Common in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, there are mainly three common types of plea bargains-
Charge Bargain
A charge bargaining plea implies pleading guilty to a less severe charge. This is done to reduce the overall severity of the offense. For instance, a driving under suspension charge might be reduced to a less severe traffic infraction.
Sentence Bargain
Sentence bargaining implies that you plead guilty to a much lenient sentence. It might be a reduced fine amount or a shorter period of suspension.
Fact Bargain
Fact bargaining, although less common, involves admitting to certain facts and omitting some others.
These negotiations are some of the most crucial parts that decide your fate. Therefore, only a skilled Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can help you understand which option suits your situation and can result in minimal penalties and hassle.
Why You Should Seek Legal Counsel from Sean Logue?
A DUS charge, especially when it comes to DUI-related cases, might get more complicated than you think! And without proper legal guidance or representation, you might just get lost in the sea of the law! This is why a seasoned Pittsburgh criminal lawyer becomes invaluable at this point.That being said, attorneys from the Sean Logue Law Group possess years of experience in handling DUS cases in the Pittsburgh region. Sean Logue and his team of efficient Pittsburgh criminal lawyers can, therefore, help review your case, determine the weaknesses, and make use of that information for effective plea negotiations. Contact them at 844.PITT.DUI for a free consultation today!