Pennsylvania DUI Lawyers
Don’t Fight Alone, Find the Right DUI Attorney Serving Central Pennsylvania
Consequences of a DUI conviction can seriously affect your future. On the top of driver’s license suspension, it may include fines, and even jail time and criminal record.
When looking for the right PA DUI defense lawyer to handle your matter, you want to be sure you find someone who has a solid understanding of Pennsylvania DUI laws. Your chosen attorney for DUI defense should also have extensive experience in dealing with other traffic violations and criminal charges that may play a role in your case.
We Help You Move Forward with Your Life
At Colgan & Associates, we are frequently called upon to help people dealing with DUI charges sort through the details of their matter. We advise them on their best possible course of action. Through our experience and legal knowledge, we aim to help people have their matter addressed quickly and fairly.
We help our clients to move forward with their lives.
Why You Should Choose the DUI Lawyers at Colgan & Associates
Authority in Traffic Law and PA DUI Law
Attorney David Hershey is known throughout the Commonwealth as one of the foremost authorities on defending traffic and driver’s licenses cases. Over the course of his 30 year career, he has handled more than 2,000 traffic law cases.
Legal Consultation and Defense
At Colgan & Associates, our DUI lawyers provide both legal counsel and legal defense to ensure you are properly represented. We suggest appropriate defense for your DUI arrest to reduce your charge.
Litigation Experience
With over 30 years of combined experience and specified training unique to DUI defense litigation, the PA DUI lawyers at Colgan & Associates have established reputations as tough litigators throughout Central Pennsylvania.
DUI Defense for CDL Holders
The DUI attorneys with the firm are dedicated to protecting the rights of CDL drivers while achieving the best possible outcome. Read more about our DUI defense practice for commercial drivers.
Free Consultation with a PA DUI Defense Lawyer
Call us today at (866) 265-5682 or book a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to assess your DUI case and legal issues!
If you or someone you know is facing DUI charges in South Central Pennsylvania it is in their best interest to seek an experienced Pennsylvania DUI attorney to get proper legal advice and criminal defense. An experienced and aggressive DUI defense attorney and legal team will work with you to provide a comprehensive defense strategy in your case.
DUI Law Firm Locations
Our offices are in York, Harrisburg and Lancaster area.
- Dauphin County and Cumberland County: Mechanicsburg PA Law Office
- York County: York PA Law Office
- Lancaster County: Lancaster Law Firm Office
Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Penalties In Pennsylvania
If the police officer believes there is evidence of drunk driving or that you are impaired by drugs, you may face a DUI charge. However, a DUI charge is just like any other criminal allegation: you are innocent until proven guilty. You are not guilty unless and until the state can prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
What is a DUI charge?
The acronym DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence. Other acronyms such as DWI, OMVI and OVI all refer to the same thing: operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The most commonly used terms are DUI, an acronym for Driving Under the Influence, and DWI, an acronym for Driving While Impaired.
It’s important to note that any type of influence that may impair your ability to drive could be considered a DUI. The charge is it is not limited to alcohol and drunk driving. Illegal, as well as prescribed and over-the-counter drugs are lumped into this same category.
DUI can be charged as misdemeanor or felony. If you have three DUI charges within the past ten years, the fourth DUI will be charged as a felony in Pennsylvania, regardless of the intoxication level. Felony DUI convictions have more severe penalties than misdemeanors.
What is the legal limit of blood alcohol content in Pennsylvania for drivers?
The legal limit for BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) in Pennsylvania is 0.08% for drivers above the age of 21. For CDL holders it is 0.02%.
How to fight A DUI charge?
Many DUI arrests begin with a police traffic stop. This is often based on a police officer’s belief that he/she observed a minor Vehicle Code violation while driving. What’s important to understand is that any police traffic stop must be for lawful reasons. Your PA DUI lawyer will review your case to help you determine whether a traffic stop was conducted lawfully.
Once you have been stopped, an officer may ask you to step out and submit to Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFST). SFTSs are not mandatory, are highly subjective, must be properly conducted, and are not a “pass/fail” test. If you agree to SFSTs, the officer will likely have an opinion as to how you performed.
Your PA DUI attorney will review the circumstances of any SFSTs to determine whether they were properly and lawfully done. Whether the officer’s opinions and conclusions from the tests should be relied upon. Based on the SFSTs and the officer’s opinion of your impairment, you could then be arrested and asked to submit to chemical testing. Chemical testing is used to detect blood-alcohol content (BAC) or the presence of drugs.
While Pennsylvania law provides harsh punishments for those who refuse breathalyzer test or chemical testing under certain circumstances, this does not mean that police officers have the right to require chemical testing for all motorists they encounter. For this reason, your attorney will review all circumstances of your arrest. A diligent DUI attorney will look into your breath test, chemical testing, or an alleged refusal to submit to chemical testing. A good Pennsylvania DUI lawyer can help you determine whether these proceedings were conducted lawfully and properly. A DUI arrest doesn’t necessarily have to lead to a DUI conviction.
Can a first time DUI be dismissed?
Fighting a first offense DUI will always have a better chance to get charges dismissed. Or if that is not possible, at least to get it reduced to reckless driving. However, under the strict state laws and criminal law you’ll need an experienced DUI lawyer. Your DUI attorney can ensure a very strong defense to avoid serious DUI penalties.
Is getting a lawyer for a DUI defense worth it?
Yes. A driver should hire the best affordable DUI attorney nearest their location in Pennsylvania to prevent a license suspension. The DUI lawyer will provide professional legal support to reach a favorable outcome or to get the charges dropped and avoid DUI conviction. Only a skilled DUI attorney can help ensure that your rights are protected during the legal process. Afterwards, you want a lawyer who can represent your case at trial aggressively and competently, if it becomes necessary.
How to hire a DUI attorney?
Search for a reputable criminal defense and traffic attorney with extensive experience in Pennsylvania DUI cases. Ask for a free consultation to determine if they are a good-fit for your case. Consider their fees and learn your options and best possible outcomes of you case.
