Many Pennsylvania residents are busy trying to cram as much fun as they possibly can into the final weeks of summer. For some, this includes meeting friends at local restaurants or pubs for a few drinks, good food and pleasant conversation. Others are a bit more active in their pursuits, driving to nearby lakes or shores for beach parties and cocktails on hotel balconies. Either way, there’s certainly nothing wrong with imbibing alcohol in a social atmosphere if you are of legal drinking age, but it could definitely become a problem if you get behind the wheel of a car and wind up facing drunk driving charges.
A police officer only needs reasonable suspicion to pull you over for possible intoxicated driving. Perhaps your car drifted a little too far toward the center yellow line or you were traveling at a slower rate of speed than the rest of the surrounding traffic flow. These are only two of many reasons that would constitute valid grounds for a police officer to question you further.
If you’re pulled over and an officer asks you to step out of your vehicle, consider yourself detained. Everything you say and do from that point on may impact the ultimate outcome of your situation.
In the event you are asked to perform a roadside sobriety test, be aware that age, physical condition, illness and a number of other factors will affect your ability to pass this test. In the event that you fail one or more elements of the roadside sobriety test you willl be asked to consent to a blood test to determine your BAC.
Remember that a refusal to submit to a Blood Alcohol blood test will result in a 1 year suspension of your driver’s license, regarless of the outcome of any DUI charges that may be brought.
A drunk driving charge doesn’t necessarily mean the court will find you guilty.
If you are a first time offender the ARD program can be your best option. This program permits first time DUI offenders to complete a 1 year period of unsupervised probation leading to a dismissal of the charges.
The Law Office of Ronald F. Saupe, Esq. understands the serious consequences a Pennsylvania DUI conviction may have on your life and is fully prepared to help secure the best possible outcome in court.
