In Pennsylvania, drunk drivers face serious penalties for failing to obey state traffic laws. The county can charge the defendant with a DUI if they have a blood-alcohol content reading of at least 0.08%. DUI attorneys in Lancaster County, PA can answer frequently asked questions for criminal defendants.
When Can’t the County Charge a Driver with a Refusal to Submit?
The defendant has the right to request legal counsel before they submit for chemical testing as outlined in their Miranda Rights. This action is not a refusal to submit to chemical testing as long as the defendant submits to testing after speaking to their attorney. These delays, however, could lead to a reduction of their intoxication level.
What Is the Purpose of Acquiring a Second Blood Sample?
The defendant can request a second blood sample when the correctional officers draw blood for chemical testing. The second sample is provided to the attorney, and it is tested to determine if the officer’s tests are conclusive. The testing results can determine if the county has a case or if the test results are inaccurate.
Are Field Sobriety Tests Conclusive?
Officers may conduct field sobriety tests to determine if the driver is intoxicated; however, the tests aren’t conclusive and won’t be used to secure a conviction. A breathalyzer test, on the other hand, can secure a conviction based on the driver’s intoxication levels, and they are used frequently in these cases.
What Is Classified As Aggravated DUI?
Any blood-alcohol content reading that exceeds 0.15% is classified as an aggravated DUI charge. Additionally, the state can charge the driver with this crime if a minor under the age of fourteen is present at the time of the arrest. The state may charge the driver with reckless endangerment of a child as well.
In Pennsylvania, drunk drivers face penalties such as driver’s license suspensions, fines, and jail sentences. These criminal offenses place the driver and others on the road at a greater risk of sustaining injuries. Defendants who are facing these charges can contact DUI attorneys in Lancaster County, PA through the Law Office of Melissa R. Montgomery right now.
