Arrest For Ovi In Philadelphia
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Potential First DUI Penalties. If convicted, there is a possibility for you to go to jail for your first DUI in PA. But if your case does not have extenuating circumstances, your chances of a jail sentence are low. The level of your BAC plays a key role in determining whether jail time is a possibility for you.
Your first court appearance after a Pennsylvania DUI arrest will be at an initial arraignment, or usually at a "preliminary hearing". At the arraignment, the charges against you will be read and you will be asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
This rule mandates that DUI offenders must be released promptly after arrest unless they pose a danger or are unlikely to appear in court. A criminal complaint must also be filed within five days of the arrest. Understanding this rule can significantly impact the outcome of a DUI case.
With the first offense, there usually is no license suspension. However, second and third offenses result in a 12-month license suspension. You will also be required to an ignition interlock device. This device requires drivers to perform a breathalyzer test before they start their car.
1st Offense DUI: A misdemeanor, six months probation, and a $300 fine; 2nd Offense DUI: A misdemeanor, five days to six months in jail, a $300 -$2500 fine, and a one-year license suspension; 3rd Offense DUI: 2nd-degree misdemeanor, ten days to two years in prison, a $500 -$5,000 fine, and a one-year license suspension.
Drunk driving suspects can expect to spend at least two hours answering questions, being fingerprinted and photographed, and submitting to chemical testing of the driver's blood alcohol content (BAC). A driver could spend a few hours before they are released, or it may take up to a few days.
The 5-day rule is a procedural guideline requiring law enforcement to file a criminal complaint within five days of releasing someone arrested for DUI. While it's an important rule, it's not a magic wand that can automatically get your charges dismissed if it's missed.
DUI offenders are to be released promptly following arrest unless: 1) they pose a danger to themselves or others; or 2) the arresting officer has reasonable grounds to believe they will not appear in court as required. Upon release, a criminal complaint shall be filed within 5 days.
