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What Happens During a Field Sobriety Test?
When you are stopped by the police for suspected driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the officer typically administers a number of field sobriety tests to determine whether you are drunk. These tests are used to determine probable cause to arrest and request chemical testing — breath, blood or urine testing. Although you […]
What You Should Know about the Pennsylvania Accelerated Rehabilitative Program (ARD)
Pennsylvania offers a unique Accelerated Rehabilitative Program (ARD) for first-time DUI offenders. The goal of the program is to avoid drawn-out court proceedings — and prevent future offenses — by giving first-time offenders the opportunity to expunge their criminal records through meeting certain court-ordered conditions. These include drug and alcohol counseling, restitution, and community service. […]
What to Do if You are Falsely Accused of Child Molestation
Child molestation is an emotionally charged crime that sparks public anger and cries for justice. The anger stems from growing public awareness of how personally devastating sexual abuse can be to children. Reaction is often swift and decisive to keep our children safe. In many states, professionals like teachers, social workers and healthcare providers are […]
Do I Need a Lawyer if I Know I am Innocent?
While it is unfathomable, it is possible to find yourself under arrest for a crime you did not commit. As you grapple with the reality of your unfortunate and unfair circumstances, you must focus on your defense. Even though you know you are innocent, the justice department is overburdened with cases. In your traumatized and […]
Will a DUI Conviction in Pennsylvania Affect My Insurance?
You face many serious penalties when convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in Pennsylvania — including fines, license suspension, alcohol safety school requirements, installation of an ignition interlock device, and jail time. Not surprising, right? But many people are surprised by the effect a DUI conviction can have on the cost of their car […]
Field Sobriety and Breath Tests—What You Need to Know
The enforcement of laws pertaining to driving under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of drugs (DUI and DUID, respectively) are based on a scientific urine, breath, or blood test. Field sobriety tests — administered on-site, where the officer has pulled over the motorist — include both physical or cognitive tests, as […]
Repeat Offenders and Drunk Driving Laws
Public acceptance of drunk driving has diminished considerably over the past 20 years, both in Pennsylvania and nationally. One result of this is that repeat offenses, within a period of ten years, bring harsher penalties with each incident. A single infraction, where a motorist is found guilty of driving under the influence (DUI), can yield […]
What Happens if Drunk Driving Caused an Accident?
The way Pennsylvania law treats driving under the influence (DUI) is different when an accident occurred because of the infraction. By different, we mean harsher. For example, on a first offense where the blood alcohol level (BAC) is between .08 and .099 percent, the driver who was apprehended due to simple driving behaviors (such as […]
What is Manslaughter?
Not all cases of homicide rise to the level of murder. Murder involves premeditated killing and typically results in a mandatory prison sentence. In legal terms, premeditated thoughts are known as malice aforethought. Sometimes the death of a person actually results from an accident or the reckless conduct of a person with no malice aforethought. […]
What You Need to Know about DUI
When an individual applies for a driver’s license in Pennsylvania, he or she officially consents to alcohol and chemical testing should a law enforcement official ask them to do so. It is part of the legal privilege of driving. If such a test finds that a motorist is over the legal limit of alcohol consumption, […]
