Pennsylvania DUI Cases

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Involving Drugs

Pennsylvania DUI Cases Involving Drugs come with severe risks of harsh and life-altering punishments.

Alcohol stands as the most common factor behind DUI arrests in Pennsylvania, however, DUIs involving illegal or prescription drugs have risen dramatically. Pennsylvania laws take an extremely strict and punishing stance on Driving Under the Influence of Drugs.

If you are caught using drugs and driving, your penalties are as strict as if you tested for having twice the legal limit of alcohol in your blood (.16%) – Pennsylvania’s highest DUI punishment level. You will lose your license and face jail and fines. You need a DUI defense attorney who thoroughly understands the law and will represent you skillfully and aggressively.

Drunk Driving Versus Drugged Driving

In Pennsylvania you will be charged with DUI if controlled substances or metabolites are found in your blood or if you have any combination of alcohol and drugs in your blood that impaired your ability to drive safely.

Whether it is for pain, blood pressure, depression, or another medical condition, you may take prescription drugs. Your medications may make a substantial and life-changing difference in your health and life. However, when you are operating a vehicle, prescription medicine can put you at risk of DUI. Pennsylvania considers prescription drugs almost the same as illegal drugs.

Again, in Pennsylvania you will be charged with DUI if you have controlled substances, metabolites, or any combination of alcohol and drugs in your blood that impair your driving. This includes prescription drugs, such as Ambien, Ativan, and .

Upon arrest, the police will have a blood or urine sample taken and tested to determine if in fact drugs are in your system. Any trace of controlled substances in your system will result in a DUI charge and possible conviction. This includes detectable levels of THC (marijuana) in the blood above 1ng/ml. This is despite the fact THC can linger in a person’s system for weeks after ingestion. Being a certified user of Medical Marijuana in Pennsylvania will not make any difference.

Pennsylvania’s Highest DUI Offense Level

If you are charged in Pennsylvania with driving under the influence of drugs, you will be charged at the highest level of the three-tier system and subject to the harshest punishment:

Third-tier, first offense

Three days to six months in prison
$1,000 to $5,000 in fines
One year license suspension
Alcohol highway safety school
The court may order you to take a treatment program

Third-tier, second offense

90 days to five years in prison
$1,500 to $10,000 in fines
18-month license suspension
Alcohol highway safety school
The court may order you to take a treatment program
An ignition interlock device on your car for one year

Third-tier, third offense

One to five years in prison
$2,500 to $10,000 in fines
18-month license suspension
The court may order you to take a treatment program
An ignition interlock device on your car for one year

Given the risk of severe penalties and impact upon your life you need a DUI defense attorney like Paul S. Peters III, Esquire who thoroughly understands the law, and can represent you skillfully and aggressively.

How Paul S. Peters III, Esq. Will Help

When you are up against DUI charges, you need an attorney, like Paul S. Peters III, Esquire who will stand by you every step of the way, work hard to discredit any evidence – and work with you to determine your best course of action. Attorney Peters will advocate for your entry into the ARD program if feasible, fight for the best plea deal possible if that is your best option, or be fully prepared to defend your rights at trial and attack all evidence against you. For trial, Attorney Peters has a network of experts in different areas of DUI evidence that you will have the option to hire for testimony and analysis in your trial.

Pennsylvania DUI Law

DUI is described and defined under The Pennsylvania Code under Title 75, Chapter 38. Read the code here.

If you or a loved one have been charged with DUI in Montgomery, Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, Chester, Lehigh, Lancaster Northampton, Berks, County, it is vital that you contact the Aggressive, Experienced, Trusted, and Compassionate Pennsylvania DUI Defense Lawyer, Paul S. Peters III, Esq.