Driving Under the Influence
Pennsylvania’s DUI law prohibits driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while:
- having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or more
- having any amount of a Schedule I or II controlled substance in the body, or
- impaired by drugs or alcohol to an extent that it affects the person’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Generally, a driver is deemed to have violated the law if a chemical test conducted within two hours of driving shows a BAC that’s above the legal limit. The consequences of a DUI conviction depend on the circumstances, including whether the motorist has prior DUI convictions. The law requires that the Commonwealth establish impairment under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs. Having an attorney on your side can help identify potential defenses to the charges.
Pennsylvania uses a tiered approach to the penalties imposed for driving under the influence. Use the links below for an explanation of the potential penalties related to a charge of DUI.