Zero Additional Suspension for a Man Driving with a DUS Charge
You know what the worst-case scenario is if you get pulled over by the cops?
It’s when you realize that you were driving on a suspended license! This is a situation that a recent client of ours faced. He was cited for driving under a DUI-related suspension. This is a serious offense in Pennsylvania for which the penalties can be severe! It can include mandatory jail time and additional license suspension, which could literally cripple your ability to live a normal life.
Our client was going to get trapped in this vicious cycle when he called our legal team and asked our expert Pittsburgh criminal lawyer to look into the matter. All he wanted was to steer clear of any additional license suspension, and we helped him achieve that!
DUS Penalties and Charges You Should Know Of
Driving under suspension (DUS) comes under Section 1543 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. There are two main types of DUS charges-
- A non-DUI-related suspension.
- A DUI-related suspension.
Needless to say, the penalties for a DUI-related suspension are far more serious. A first offense for driving under a DUI-related suspension can result in a mandatory fine and imprisonment.
Furthermore, a conviction also triggers an additional license suspension. This new suspension is on top of the original one. It can be for another year or more, which makes the stakes incredibly high. This is why you need a skilled Pittsburgh criminal lawyer on your side who can work to avoid these harsh penalties.
How Did We Assure No Additional Suspension for Our Client?
Our client already had an existing license suspension. It was due to a prior DUI. However, at present, he was pulled over for a minor traffic violation. The officer saw his suspended license and invariably charged him with DUS.
Our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers at the Logue Law Group understood the severity of the situation. And for us, one of the major concerns was those mandatory penalties. So, we had to be extra strategic and careful while handling the case. We carefully reviewed all the evidence and highlighted his excellent record since his prior offense. We explained that he was taking steps to get his life on track. Our goal was to get the DUS charge dismissed. Hence, our expert lawyers negotiated for a different, lesser charge.
What our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers did was propose a plea to a different summary offense. This offense was not related to DUS, and did not carry any imprisonment sentence. It also did not trigger an additional suspension from PennDOT. We made our client plead guilty to the lesser offense. He paid a minimal fine and walked away without any additional suspension.
This victory was not just for our client, but also for us, as our expert Pittsburgh criminal lawyers showcased how a strong negotiation can make all the difference. We helped our client avoid a trap and helped him get closer to getting his license restored. So, if you are facing a DUS charge, don’t face it alone! Instead, call us at 844.PITT.DUI and schedule a free consultation with our expert legal professionals today! We guarantee the best outcome for our clients at all times.