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Pennsylvania DWI / DUI Lawyer

In the year 2008, more than 16,000 motorists were charged with DUI in Pennsylvania. Not only is that an increase from previous years, but also the highest number in the State Police's department history. Evidently, DUI and DWI are piling in at record rates. If you are one of the unfortunate people to have been charged, finding a qualified attorney is essential, as you will see when you read further.

The State of Pennsylvania is one of the many states with a per se law associated with DUI charges. This means that any evidence that a person operated a vehicle when his or her blood alcohol content was .08 percent, or above, is enough to convict him or her of the offense in a court of law. Penalties differ depending on the alcohol levels in the system of the offender, and jury trials are permitted only on improved misdemeanors.

There are three levels of DUI offenses in this state. First, if your BAC is .08 or higher, you face six months of probation, a three hundred dollar fine, and a driving safety school. Secondly, if your BAC falls within the range of .10 to .159, expect to lose your license for six months, spend up to twelve months in prison, and pay up to five thousand dollars. Lastly, if your BAC is .16 or higher you will face additional punishments that are more severe in nature. Clearly, the state of Pennsylvania is not taking DUI and DWI lightly, and neither should you. A skilled lawyer can help you navigate through the legal system, in hopes that these such penalties are not included in your future.

First, you will need to get in touch with a reputable Pennsylvania DUI or DWI lawyer to help you clear your name. When you feel you have been charged wrongly with a DUI or falsely accused of a DWI, you will need to have a lawyer defend you in court. Next, you will need to check out the background of the Pennsylvania DUI lawyer you are planning on hiring to assure yourself that he or she is competent enough to clear you of all charges.

Looking at his or her records in terms of the DUI and DWI cases your lawyer has tried will give you an inkling as to how well the firm performs in cases such as these. Look into your lawyer's experience in the field as well, and check out their level of knowledge. Finally, talk to your lawyer about his or her fees. You need to know what the required retainer fee is for him or her to consider your case as well as what the other involved costs may be. You will need to be sure you can afford to pay your lawyer before you allow him or her to begin defending you.

When a person is charged and found guilty of DUI or driving under the influence of any intoxicating substance like alcohol or even drugs, he or she will pay for the mistake for the rest of their life. The conviction will show on his or her records and every time he or she is in violation of the law, traffic or otherwise, penalties and fines will be higher than for a person who does not have a guilty DUI charge in his or her records. Moreover, that conviction can be seen by employers, credit bureaus, and landlords. Do not let one misjudgment change the course of your life, and let a lawyer work to clear your name. It is time to start making the right choices, and there is no better time than the present.