Out of State DUI

All fifty states and the Federal government take driving under the influence seriously. They prosecute those charged with the offense to the fullest extent possible under law, because most of the deaths involving vehicles are the result of accidents caused by drunk drivers.

If you live in another state and are arrested for and charged with DUI in Pennsylvania, you need to educate yourself on the state’s DUI laws. Your DUI case will be handled in Pennsylvania, because that’s where you were arrested. This is the same as with any other criminal charge. You could lose your driver’s license, regardless of the fact that you don’t live in Pennsylvania. Drunk driving in the Commonwealth is defined as driving with a Blood Alcohol Concentration of over .08 percent if you are over 21. If you are underage, the legal BAC level is .02 percent, but you’re considered to have been driving under the influence no matter what your number was, if you have had alcohol to drink. Getting charged for DUI in Pennsylvania when you live in another state make the process more complicated, because you will need to return to PA to deal with it. It’s also possible that you’ll have to have a hearing in the state you live in, as well.

Out of State DUI Process

In Pennsylvania, under certain circumstances, suspension of your driver’s license is part of the law, unlike other states, where there is a separate process for it.

Possible DUI penalties:

• Interlock ignition device
• Jail sentence ranging from five days to two years
• A 12-month suspension of your driver’s license
• Fines ranging from $300 to $5,000

There are lower penalties for a first-time DUI. They increase if an accident is involved, or if your BAC is over .10 percent.

The Impact on You in Pennsylvania from an Out of State DUI

Pennsylvania law doesn’t give cops the ability to suspend your out-of-state license. But, your privileges will be suspended, which means if you are convicted of DUI in PA but live in another state, you will not be allowed to drive while in PA. Someone else will have to drive you to your hearings in Pennsylvania, so you can defend yourself against the charges. The experienced Pittsburgh DUI attorneys at Logue Law Group don’t care where you live. They will defend you from the start of your case to the end. If you do get convicted of the DUI, Pennsylvania will contact the state in which you live, to report it to them. The result of this could be your state suspending your license.

Driver’s License Compact

Fifty-six states participate in the Driver’s License Compact, including PA. This agreement calls for all states who participate to exchange information about traffic violations, including Driving While Intoxicated. If you live in Tennessee, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, or Michigan, you may still receive penalties and restrictions if Pennsylvania tells them about your conviction here.

I was Arrested for DUI in Pennsylvania. What do I do?

The first and most important thing you need to do is hire an experienced and qualified lawyer to represent you. A lawyer whose specialty is DUI will know the most current laws and the best way to resolve your case, thereby protecting your rights. Penalties in Pennsylvania for DUI convictions can be harsh, negatively affecting your life back home. Though your residence is in another state, if you’re convicted of DUI, you’re still subject to PA’s penalties. Some of them are similar to other states. For example, jail time, suspension of your driving privileges or license, and fines. These penalties get worse if you were involved in an accident as a result of driving drunk, or if your BAC was over .10 percent.

Remember that your Pittsburgh DUI attorney will need all the facts. Don’t hesitate to trust and confide in him, so he can work his hardest for you. He will be able to explain your charges to you in detail, as well as describe your options. He will stand beside you as you navigate the criminal justice system.

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) 612-2210 or (412) 389-0805. 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!