Why Hire Me for Your Bucks County DUI Case?
- Over 20 Years Experience
- Defended More Than 1,500 DUI Cases
- More Than 100 Criminal Jury Trials
- I have Represented Clients Throughout Bucks County
- Available to Discuss DUI Defenses, ARD for DUI, DUI Penalties, House Arrest, and Driver’s License Suspension
- 97% 5-Star Google Reviews
What to Do After a DUI Arrest in Bucks County
For most people, the day after the DUI arrest is very stressful. You are not sure if you will go to jail, lose you license, or maybe lose your job. It is best to contact an experienced Bucks County DUI lawyer right away.
When we speak, I will gather as much information about the circumstances of your DUI arrest as possible. Then, I will calmly go over the likely outcomes of your case. Many of the resolutions do not involve jail or a significant driver’s license suspension.
What I Tell Most First-Time DUI Clients
Do not panic. The majority of first-time DUI offenses in Bucks County can be resolved without getting a criminal record or losing your ability to drive. For most second and third DUI offenses, house arrest is usually an option. In other situations, a legal defense like an illegal car stop, or improperly performed field sobriety tests may help you avoid a DUI conviction.
Recent Bucks County DUI Case Results
- First-offense DUI with a car accident involving significant property damage: Approved for ARD first-offender program
- Second-offense DUI (3rd tier-highest BAC, 90-day mandatory jail): Charge changed to first tier lowest BAC (received 5 days house arrest) after client completed alcohol counseling
- Client found not guilty of DUI after Suppression Motion Granted: State Trooper went outside the mission of the original traffic violation stop without reasonable suspicion or probable cause of a crime. Evidence of the subsequent DUI arrest suppressed by the court
- Client charged with a first-offense DUI with a BAC slightly over the legal limit. Case dismissed after a defense expert showed that the BAC was within the margin of error and below the legal limit
- Client found not guilty of DUI after I proved the Bucks County Crime Lab did not properly handle the blood sample used as evidence
What I Look for When Evaluating a DUI Defense
I have handled over 1,500 DUI cases, many in Bucks County. As a result, I have reviewed thousands of pages of police reports, witness statements, lab reports, body-camera and dash-cam video.
One of the first things I look at in every DUI case is why the police stopped the vehicle in the first place. Many illegal DUI vehicle stops occur before field sobriety tests or blood analysis ever occurs.
After reviewing the legality of the car stop, I will chronologically go through every piece of evidence through the blood testing to find any way to beat the charges. I look at evidence that other DUI lawyers ignore. I once won a DUI trial by proving that a police officer called a tow truck before stopping my client for suspicion of DUI.
DUI Penalties in Pennsylvania
One of the biggest mistakes that many DUI clients make is assuming that the police, friends, or relatives who work in law enforcement can accurately predict what the penalty will be in your DUI case.
In reality, Pennsylvania DUI penalties often depend on facts that are not known until your lawyer reviews the evidence and conducts a full investigation of your case. DUI penalties can include fines, court costs, driver’s license suspension, ignition interlock requirements, probation, and jail.
Before worrying about the worst-case scenario, I will review the evidence, your prior record, and the strength of the government’s case.
First-Time DUI in Bucks County
In my experience, most first-time Bucks County DUI clients have never been arrested before. They may have received a few traffic tickets but no serious offenses. After a DUI arrest, they assume the worst, jail, loss of their driver’s license, and losing their job.
In many cases, none of these things happen. When I first speak to a client, I separate their realistic concerns from unrealistic panic. I help clients understand the issues that will actually affect the outcome of their case.
Most first-offense Bucks County DUI cases end without jail and without a permanent criminal record. Depending on the circumstances, some drivers are able to avoid a significant driver’s license suspension.
ARD for Bucks County DUI Cases
After defending over 1,500 DUI cases, I have found that most first-time DUI clients worry most about going to jail and having a permanent criminal record. In reality, the majority of first-offense Bucks County DUI cases are resolved through ARD.
Successful completion of ARD results in the dismissal of your DUI charges and the expungement of your criminal record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I Lose my License After a DUI in Bucks County?
It depends on how many prior DUI convictions you have, whether you refused chemical testing, what level of drugs or alcohol was in your system, and whether an accident causing bodily injury occurred.
Many drivers are surprised to learn that they are eligible for an ignition interlock driver’s license immediately or after serving part of a suspension.
Can a DUI Charge be Reduced or Dismissed in Bucks County?
Yes, in certain cases. DUI charges can be reduced or dismissed when the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence to prove drug or alcohol impairment beyond a reasonable doubt.
Examples include an unexplained failure of the police to conduct chemical testing, improperly administered field sobriety tests, a lack of evidence that the driver was impaired, or a blood test result within the margin of error.
Charges can also be reduced or dismissed when the police conducted an illegal car stop, obtained a confession through coercion, or detained a driver without a legal basis.
DUI charges can sometimes be reduced when the driver completes drug and alcohol counseling while the charges are pending.
How Long Does a DUI Case Take in Bucks County?
Typically, 4 to 6 months assuming the case does not require a trial. Most Bucks County DUI cases require several court appearances, including a preliminary hearing, formal arraignment, plea negotiations, and in some cases ARD if approved by the district attorney and the court.
DUI cases that go to trial usually resolve within 12 months.
What Happens if I Refuse a Blood Test in Bucks County?
Under Pennsylvania’s implied consent law, a refusal to submit to chemical testing will result in a 1-year driver’s license suspension followed by a 1-year ignition interlock requirement if it is a first-time refusal.
Pennsylvania allows first-time refusal drivers to drive with an ignition interlock license after serving 6 months of the 1-year suspension, but it is not mandatory.
Refusing chemical testing can result in a suspension even if you later receive a separate suspension for the DUI case.
In Pennsylvania, your refusal to submit to chemical testing can be used by the prosecutor at trial as evidence that you were impaired. Learn more about common chemical test refusal defenses.
Will I go to Jail for a DUI in Bucks County?
It depends on your prior DUI record, the type and level of drugs or alcohol in your system, and whether you are eligible for ARD. First-time DUI drivers who are accepted into ARD do not go to jail.
Repeat offenders and drivers convicted of higher-tier DUI offenses can face mandatory jail time.
Can I Get House Arrest for a DUI in Bucks County?
Yes, in many cases. Eligible DUI offenders are often permitted to serve the mandatory minimum sentence at home rather than in jail. In Bucks County, this program is referred to as restrictive probation with DUI conditions.
Get Clear Answers About Your DUI Case
Every DUI case is different. Before making decisions about ARD, plea offers, driver’s license issues, house arrest, or trial, make sure you understand your options. Call today for a free consultation.
