There are three categories of Pennsylvania drunk driving penalties that apply depending upon the levels of blood alcohol concentration recorded at the time of dui arrest. The three BAC levels are “0.16 And Above”, “between 0.10 and 0.159”, and “between 0.08 and 0.099”. It is also important to note that refusal to take the chemical test to determine BAC level when you are stopped under the suspicion of drunk driving is considered as very serious offence, and like many other states, in Pennsylvania also, it attracts much harsher penalties than the actual dui conviction. The exact details of the penalties are subject to the court judgment.
First Drunk Driving Conviction In Pennsylvania
The first conviction generally results in the following Pennsylvania drunk driving penalties.
When BAC level is 0.16 or above
- You will have to attend a specific program in an Alcohol Highway Safety School
- Driving license will be forfeited for a period of twelve months. The court may consider issuing a restricted license to you after sixty days from the date of suspension provided you meet the basic requirements, such as installation of an ignition interlock device in all your vehicles.
- You will have to pay up to $5000 as monetary fine; minimum $1000 of fine is mandatory
- You will also have to spend up to one hundred and eighty days in jail; minimum three days of jail term is mandatory
When BAC level is between 0.10 and 0.159
- Twelve months of license suspension. Same provision for restricted license as above.
- Up to $5000 as monetary fine; minimum $500 is mandatory
- Six months in jail; minimum two days in mandatory
When BAC level is between 0.08 and 0.099
- Driving license will not be suspended
- But, you will still have to pay a fine of $300
- Six months in jail (not mandatory but likely)
Second Drunk Driving Conviction In Pennsylvania
The second conviction attracts the following Pennsylvania drunk driving penalties.
When BAC level is 0.16 or above
- Completing a specific program (as per court order) in an alcohol highway safety school
- Driving license will be suspended for eighteen months. However, in order to get the license reinstated after the suspicion period is over, you will be required to have ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle.
- $1500 of monetary fine
- Up to five years in jail imprisonment; at least ninety days of jail term is mandatory
When BAC level is between 0.10 and 0.159
- License will be forfeited for a period of twelve months
- Monetary fine can be as high as $5000; minimum $750 is mandatory
- Up to one hundred and eighty days in jail; minimum thirty days of jail term is mandatory
When BAC level is between 0.08 and 0.099
- One year of license suspension
- Up to $2500 as monetary fine; minimum $300 is mandatory
- Up to six months in jail; minimum five days in jail is mandatory
Third Drunk Driving Conviction In Pennsylvania
You will face the following Pennsylvania drunk driving penalties when you get convicted for a third time.
When BAC level is 0.16 or above
- License this time will be suspended for a period of one and a half year. After reinstatement of license, ignition interlock device will be required
- At least $2500 of monetary fine; no maximum limit
- Up to five years in jail; minimum one year is mandatory
When BAC level is between 0.10 and 0.159
- License will be suspended for eighteen months
- Maximum $10000 of monetary fine; minimum $1000 is mandatory
- Five years in jail; minimum ninety days are mandatory
When BAC level is between 0.08 and 0.099
- License will be suspended for one year
- Maximum $5000 as monetary fine; at least $500 is mandatory
- Two years in jail; minimum ten days are mandatory
These are just a general overview of the kind of Pennsylvania drunk driving penalties you can expect after each conviction, but it is important for you to keep in mind that the actual penalties may vary depending upon your specific case. Therefore, it will always be wise to consult an experienced Pennsylvania dui attorney.