First DUI Offense

first time dui in paWhat happens if you get charged with DUI in PA for the first time in Allegheny County?

A DUI arrest for the first time can be devastating. If this is your first experience dealing with police, prosecutors, magistrates, and the Pennsylvania court system, you probably have a lot of questions. You are probably also wondering what are the consequences.

A first DUI conviction in PA could mean up to six months in jail, a $5,000 fine, and loss of your license for up to a year.

Information on First DUI Charges

The penalties for a DUI in PA depend on your blood alcohol content level (BAC). A DUI conviction could seriously impact your freedom and ability to get to work or school, not to mention a criminal record makes it difficult to get a job, insurance, and housing in the future.

The DUI court process is extensive and can be confusing. Knowing the process and what you are facing helps be able to fight for the best possible outcome and keep your rights and freedom.

A DUI charge is NOT a conviction.

Clients often ask if there is any hope that their case can be won. They think since they were arrested, the police already have evidence and that’s that. But the case isn’t closed – in many instances people are innocent or the police did not follow proper procedure, or there are alternatives to pleading guilty. 

Until you are convicted, you still have a chance to fight your charges. And, if you are convicted, you have up to 30 days to file a DUI appeal. But you need to know all the options. 

DUI cases are won in court every day —your charges could be reduced or even dismissed, especially if you have a strong case.

This is true for a first-time DUI, a second DUI, and even a third or subsequent DUI. It is also true if you were charged with DUI Drugs or refused to give a breath or blood test at the time of your arrest.

There are also alternatives to jail like the Pennsylvania ARD Program that can help keep your charges off your record and limit the usual penalties involved.

If you have been arrested for a First DUI in Pennsylvania, contact Ketchel Law. Our experienced Pittsburgh DUI attorneys are here to help. Get a free consultation.

Our number one goal: Your DUI charges reduced or dismissed.

Call Ketchel Law today: 412-456-1221 for a free consultation.

The PA criminal justice system must presume you are innocent of DUI charges unless a judge or jury finds you guilty. A skilled attorney can assist you with every aspect of your DUI charge and will ferociously fight to protect your rights as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Remember, the prosecutor’s case has already started before you even have an opportunity to begin your defense. Don’t hesitate to call us at 412-456-1221 for a free consultation.

Recent court ruling could overturn DUI cases. Learn more or

Call Ketchel Law today to see how your case might be affected: 412-456-1221

INFORMATION ON ARD AND DUI – ACCELERATED REHABILITATIVE DISPOSITION – ELIGIBILITY

As a first-time DUI offender, you may be eligible for a diversionary program. For first-time DUI offenses, the ARD Program, or Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, is usually a good option, depending on your circumstances. However, acceptance into the ARD program is not an automatic option.

An experienced Pittsburgh DUI Lawyer can aggressively pursue eligibility into the ARD program on your behalf.

To gain acceptance, you must meet specific eligibility criteria, be approved by the district attorney’s office in your county, and then be approved by the Court.  That is a very tall task if you are not represented by an experienced and successful DUI lawyer.

Read 5 Things To Know Before Hiring a DUI Lawyer.

UNDERSTANDING DUI EXPUNGEMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA

Expungement is the process of removing, sealing, or clearing a DUI-related offense from your criminal record. Depending on the expungement order, this could include clearing of your criminal records as well as removal from police records and any other agencies that have copies of the record.

If you are convicted, you will NOT be able to have your charges expunged.  Therefore, it is extremely important to have a DUI attorney on your side.  Expungement of your DUI is a good way to finally rid yourself of a past mistake.

THE CONSEQUENCES AND PENALTIES OF A FIRST-TIME DUI CONVICTION IN PENNSYLVANIA

If you are convicted of a First Offense DUI in PA, you will be facing substantial penalties which could include:

  • Prison time,  UP TO 6 MONTHS
  • Probation, MANDATORY MINIMUM OF 6 MONTHS
  • Driver’s license suspension, UP TO 12 MONTHS
  • Mandatory Ignition Interlock
  • Fines, UP TO $5,000
  • Fees and court costs
  • Court Reporting Network (CRN) Evaluation of Your Drug and Alcohol Use
  • MANDATORY Drug and Alcohol Assessment and Compliance with Recommended Treatment
  • SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER insurance premiums
  • Unable to OBTAIN INSURANCE COVERAGE

Recent court ruling could overturn DUI cases. Learn more or

Call Ketchel Law today to see how your case might be affected: 412-456-1221

HOW CAN A DUI LAWYER HELP?

As an experienced Pittsburgh DUI Attorney, Justin Ketchel’s greatest strength lies in critically analyzing and dissecting the details of a police officer’s report looking for weaknesses, neutralizing the police officer’s testimony, and questioning the testimony of any experts in regard to blood or breath testing.

At Ketchel Law, we use our own experts to show why the blood or breath test reading was not accurate and we use the applicable case law to seek a full dismissal of your case when you were stopped without reasonable suspicion or arrested without probable cause.

Our number one goal: Your DUI charges reduced or dismissed.

Call Ketchel Law today: 412-456-1221 for a free consultation.

Justin’s extensive experience as a former public defender, and in private practice, gives him a distinct advantage when handling DUI cases. His number one goal: Having your charges dismissed.

At Ketchel Law, we will do everything we can to minimize your expenses. You are never charged for phone calls or emails and your initial consultation is always free. We understand what you are going through and will tirelessly fight on your behalf to ensure that your arrest has a minimal impact on every aspect of your life.

If a full dismissal of charges is not possible, our experienced DUI attorneys will work to get your charges reduced to a minimum. We can help you with acceptance into the ARD process so you won’t have criminal charges on your record and we can help you with the Ignition Interlock Device program, so you can continue to drive. 

Call Ketchel Law at 412-456-1221. We take your case seriously and are committed to providing quality legal advice.

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