Legal Blog

As experts in our craft we like to provide our past, current and future clients, as well as our community with resources to better help them navigate the complex world of criminal law. Whether you're seeking guidance in one of our practice areas, looking for practical tips to navigate legal challenges or simply finding a deeper understanding of your rights, our blog is designed to be a valuable resource to you.

You can search blogs by category or use the search bar to find what you need. You can also visit our FAQ page which has specific questions and answers about Pennsylvania law, procedures, as well as information about our firm.

Please note, our legal blog is intended for informational purposes only. While we strive to offer accurate content, the legal landscape is constantly changing and no blog can substitute personalized advice and guidance of a qualified attorney. For a free consultation, please contact us directly.

Why am I charged with careless driving and DUI?

Careless Driving and other summary traffic offense such as Reckless Driving are often also charged when someone is charged with DUI. These charges are usually the probable cause the Officer or Trooper relies on to stop your vehicle. Some of these charges could also be Speeding, Stop Sign violations, or disregarding traffic lanes, to name a few in addition to Careless Driving. Most of the traffic offenses do not require jail time if convicted but the fines can be between…

Is a DUI a Felony in Pennsylvania?

A DUI in Pennsylvania can be a felony in certain circumstances. If it is your third DUI offense within ten years and your BAC greater than .16, or drugs or other controlled substances are involved, or if you refused of a breath test, or if you refused a blood test after a search warrant was obtained, then the DUI will be graded as a felony of the third-degree. If this is your fourth or greater DUI offense within 10 years,…

Can I represent myself at a preliminary hearing for a DUI?

You are legally allowed to represent yourself at any stage in the criminal justice system. Although you can represent yourself it is usually not a good idea. Unless you know the law and how the system works representing yourself can be extremely detrimental to the final resolution of your case. For instance, in DUI cases you need to know not only the law regarding DUI offenses and defenses, but you should also know how to challenge field sobriety tests and…

Can I be convicted of a DUI if I am taking prescription drugs?

Yes. There are sections of the DUI statute that could be charged if you take prescription drugs and they affect your ability to drive safely, or if you take prescription drugs that either aren’t prescribed to you or not taken as prescribed. When it comes to prescription medication and DUIs in Pennsylvania the prosecutors may have a hard time proving these charges beyond a reasonable doubt if you present the correct defenses. Just because you are taking a prescription medication…

Can I be convicted of a DUI with my use of medical Marijuana?

Yes. The DUI law in Pennsylvania makes it a crime to drive while there is marijuana in your blood. The DUI statute does not differentiate “medical marijuana” from “marijuana. Recently, there have been several cases decided by our Superior Court that show there might be defenses to these charges if you were using medical marijuana and followed all of the medical marijuana regulations. However, currently, it is still illegal to operate a motor vehicle with marijuana in your system whether…

Is a DWI the same as a DUI?

Yes. In Pennsylvania, the term “DUI” is a shorthand for the offense of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled Substance. Other states might refer to DUIs as “DWI”s which can stand for Driving While Intoxicated, Driving While Impaired, or Driving While Imbibing. If you are convicted of a DWI or DUI in another state, that conviction will be considered a prior offense in the event you are later charged for a DUI in Pennsylvania.

How much will a DUI cost me?

The cost of a DUI conviction in Pennsylvania is more than just money. There are a lot of collateral consequences and costs associated with a DUI conviction. Fines alone range from $300.00 to $15,000.00. It is extremely rare for a Court to impose a maximum fine for a DUI, but it is possible. In most counties, judges give the statutory minimum fines. The minimum fines range from $300.00 to $2,500.00. The costs assessed by the court system add up to…

My son or daughter is a juvenile and has been charged with a DUI. What Can happen to them?

In Pennsylvania, most of the time when a person under the age of 18 is charged with a crime the charges will be handled in juvenile court. Juvenile court is designed to rehabilitate minors and not to punish them. Unlike an adult who is charged with a DUI, a juvenile who is charged with a DUI does not face mandatory jail sentences if they are convicted of a DUI. Once a juvenile is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court,…

Are There Criminal Consequences for Refusing A Breath Test?

If you refuse a breath test in Pennsylvania and are charged with DUI, the charges will be under Tier III, the highest tier possible for an alcohol-related DUI. A conviction for a Tier III DUI has a mandatory minimum sentence that ranges from as little as three days in jail to as much as one year in state prison. What mandatory minimum applies to a Tier III conviction depends on how many DUI convictions you have had in the past…