DUI With Blood Alcohol Over .16%

Law enforcement agencies treat DUI offenses pretty seriously in Pittsburgh, as they do elsewhere in the United States, to keep the roads safe. BAC or Blood Alcohol Concentration is used to determine the level of punishment if the charges are proved in the court. If you have been charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you should immediately seek the assistance of a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney.

In Pittsburgh, a three-tier level is followed and if you or one of your loved ones has BAC of 0.16% or above it can have pretty damaging consequences and lead to suspension of license for a long time, steep fines and even prison terms. BAC of 0.16% is treated as the highest impairment in the three-tier system. In such an event you need to seek help from a Pittsburgh DUI Lawyer who comes with a proven track record.

What do You Need to Know? BAC Testing

Police usually ask you to take a Breathalyzer test or undergo other chemical tests such as giving out blood and urine samples that are used to measure BAC levels in your body. BAC of 0.08% or more can mean DUI charges while 0.16% is treated as a serious offense. You need to be tested within 2 hours of being arrested and refusing to cooperate for these tests can result in suspension of license for a year or even more.

Punishment on Conviction

• First Offense – For the first offense, you may spend between three days and six months in prison, pay fines between $1,000 and $5,000. Your driver’s license would be suspended for a year, and you may also be ordered to undergo a treatment program and attend the Alcohol highway safety school.
• Second Offense – If you are arrested with 0.16% or more of BAC for the second time you may need to spend between 90 days and five years in prison, driver’s license suspension for 18 months and pay $1,500 to $10,000 in fines. You would need to drive with an Ignition Interlock Device for one year and attend the Alcohol highway safety school. The court may also mandate a treatment program for you.
• Third Offense – Third offense is dangerous as it invites between one and five years in prison, fines ranging between $2,500 and $10,000 and suspension of license for 18 months. Additionally, the court may order you to take a treatment program and drive your vehicle with an IID for one year.

The punishment can be even harsher if you were involved in an accident that has resulted in bodily injuries or death to another person or there has been damage to property. In such instances, you can also be sued in a civil court.

How to Deal with the Police?

• Don’t become angry or aggressive if they are arresting you
• Don’t admit that you have been drinking
• Don’t make statements without your DUI Lawyer in Pittsburgh

Defense Options

• The stop was illegal, and the police didn’t follow due procedure
• You weren’t driving the vehicle and weren’t impaired
• The tests weren’t done properly or within the right time frame
• Testing equipment was faulty, and therefore the results are erroneous

How Would a Lawyer Defend You

Often the experience and skills of your DUI Lawyer can be the difference between conviction and acquittal in a DUI case with a BAC of 0.16% or higher. A good attorney would discredit all the evidence that has been brought against you by the prosecution. In case the charges against you are proven in the court the attorney would explore all possibilities to lessen your punishment and fines.

For a free consultation with an effective DUI defense attorney in Pittsburgh, contact us online today, or by calling 412-389-0805 or (412) 612-2210. Serving Ohio, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, and its surrounding areas.

The attorneys at Logue Law Group have extensive training in all aspects of DUI law, including arrest procedures and BAC testing.