Why You Should Hire a Lawyer to Fight Your DUI Charges
Getting arrested and charged with a driving under the influence charge can be life-changing. Now, you might be wondering what you’re going to do and how court is going to go for you. You might be thinking about attending your court date and just pleading guilty to the charge, but you should know that this probably isn’t your best choice. Instead, you should know that it’s smart to hire a lawyer to fight your DUI charges. These are a few reasons why.
A DUI Can Affect Your Life for Years
Many people don’t realize just how serious a DUI conviction can be. If you’re looking at it like it’s just a bad traffic ticket, you should realize that it’s so much more than that. Getting convicted of a DUI can cause you to lose your driver’s license. Even when you get your license back, you can count on paying much higher insurance premiums. Plus, having a DUI conviction on your record can get in the way of you getting a job or renting an apartment. You may have to pay a lot of money in fees and fines, you could have to serve community service, you might have to be put on probation, and you could even face a loss of freedom.
You Don’t Have to Deal with Court on Your Own
Going to court and feeling as if you are “on the chopping block,” so to speak, can be terrifying and overwhelming. You don’t have to go through this on your own. Instead, you are sure to feel a lot better knowing that you have someone with you who is on your side.
You Might Have a Defense
Skilled attorneys use various defenses to help their clients fight these charges. Every case is different, but you might be surprised by what a good lawyer can do for you when you go to court.
As you can see, hiring an attorney to help you with your DUI case is probably your best move. If you are looking for legal representation to help you with your case, contact us at Fiore & Barber, LLC at 215-256-0205 today.
Stiff DUI Penalties for Convicted Pennsylvania Offenders
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is determined to ensure that those convicted of driving while impaired will receive a sentence stiff enough to discourage repeat offenses. At Fiore & Barber, we are equally determined to ensure that the rights of those accused of this offense are protected, and that their case is vigorously and successfully defended by experienced attorneys.
Penalties vary by blood alcohol content percentage (i.e., BAC%), substance under whose influence the accused was operating a vehicle (e.g., alcohol, controlled substance), number of prior offenses, and age of the accused. Generally speaking, the higher your BAC% and the greater the number of prior convictions, the stiffer the penalties. (more…)
Ringing in the New Year with a DUI
New Year’s celebrations have become almost synonymous with drinking and partying among many adults. While there is nothing wrong with celebrating, if not planned carefully this night of new beginnings and fun, could end up in disaster. DUI arrests actually double over the New Year’s holiday; it is statistically one of the most likely nights for a person driving under the influence to be caught and arrested. (more…)
Thanksgiving DUI: Pennsylvania DUI Statistics and Information
With the holiday season quickly approaching, it is a good time to start planning ahead so that you avoid getting a Thanksgiving DUI. Below are some Pennsylvania DUI statistics and information that will hopefully help keep you from getting behind the wheel after drinking this Thanksgiving and holiday season.
In December of 2014, the NHTSA put out a report that outlined the statistics related to drunk driving in Pennsylvania. It revealed that in 2013 there were 1,208 fatal car accidents in the state. Approximately 30% of these accidents involved a drunk driver. That is, a who had a blood-alcohol content that was at or above the legal limit of .08 percent. (more…)
Hire A Lawyer To Defend DUI Charges in Pennsylvania
If you have been arrested for a DUI, you are probably wondering if you should hire a lawyer to defend DUI charges in Pennsylvania. If you cannot afford a lawyer to defend you against DUI charges in Pennsylvania, the court will appoint you a lawyer. You will get a defense, however, if you can afford to retain an attorney, you probably should even if you think you are guilty. (more…)
California Accepts Driver’s License Applications from Illegal Immigrants
At the beginning of January, California became the 10th state to offer driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. Applicants are no longer required to present a valid social security number to obtain a driver’s license. The California Department of Motor Vehicles expects to issue 1.4 million driver’s licenses because of this program in the next three years. The change will also allow illegal immigrants to obtain automobile insurance. (more…)
Man Sentenced for Calling in Fake Armed Robbery in Norristown
On March 27, 2015, a 20-year-old Lansdale man has been sentenced for calling in a fake armed robbery to borough law enforcement last September. He made the call as an attempt to distract police officers from locating a friend who ran from police to avoid a public drunkenness arrest. He was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor for the report and a second-degree misdemeanor for hindering apprehension of his friend. He was also charged with possession of marijuana because he had pot on him when police took him into custody. (more…)
Lansdale Man Drove Drunk Just Minutes After Police Gave Him a Ride Home
A man was charged on March 24, 2015 with driving while under the influence and resisting arrest. This occurred just 20 minutes after police gave him a ride home from a borough bar. Police thought he was too intoxicated to drive, so they offered him a curtesy ride home.
His home was less than one mile away, and he must have walked back to the bar to retrieve his car instead of staying home as the police officers directed. Officers noticed that the car was missing from the parking lot about 20 minutes later and saw it driving onto West Mount Vernon Street. He struggled with the officers who took him into custody for the drunk driving charges, insisting that he was not intoxicated.Police took a breathalyzer test at about 2:30 a.m., and the driver’s blood alcohol concentration was .23 percent. (more…)
Woman Involved in DUI Crash Will Be Arraigned Feb. 4
Last fall, a Worcester woman was accused of running into a street lamp and then fleeing the scene. She is set to be arraigned in Montgomery County Court on February 4, 2015. She is being charged with two counts of misdemeanor DUI and one count of damage to an unattended vehicle or property.
According to the police report, she ran into a street lamp off of North Wales Road in Whitpain Township around 8:30 p.m. on October 6, 2014. She then turned down Crestline Drive. A police officer witnessed the accident, and another police officer noticed the vehicle outside of her residence a short while later. She was still in the vehicle at the time, and the police officer saw the front-end damage to the vehicle. (more…)
Montgomery County Cracking Down on Those Who Do Not Pay Child Support
Seven people were taken into custody on February 11, 2015 for failure to pay child support. Those arrested included six men and one woman. One individual owed $35,259.31 in back child support, and the total owed by these seven was for $81,657.40. Two of these people were on the most wanted list for Montgomery County. The “raid” was to find 27 people who owed a total of $246,122.28 in child support to provide for 34 children. (more…)