Pittsburgh DUI and DWI Criminal Defense Attorneys
A conviction on a DUI or DWI charge in Pennsylvania can leave you facing serious penalties, including license suspension, mandatory drug and alcohol treatment, and in the most severe cases, jail time. A conviction will also appear on your criminal record, which may be viewed by potential employers, landlords and others that control your future opportunities. By hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney at GGV Law, you can pursue DUI defense strategies that protect your rights and future interests.
At Grossinger Gordon Vatz, LLP, we can help you through the criminal process after a drunk driving arrest. Having a lawyer at your side during your preliminary hearing and other proceedings can help you protect your legal rights and preserve your driving privileges. We will investigate the results of chemical tests, including blood and breathalyzer tests, and challenge inaccurate and improperly collected evidence. We will also consult with experts about the rate of alcohol absorption and the accuracy of testing methods, and assess whether the police had a legal basis to stop you in the first place.
If you are a first-time offender, you may be able to avoid having a criminal record as a result of a DUI arrest. In many DUI cases, we are able to pursue a dismissal under Pennsylvania's Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program, or alternatives to jail such as house arrest, work release and community service.
Important Information for Drivers in Pennsylvania
It is important for drivers to know what to do and what to expect if they are stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence. Police officers will be looking to build a case against you and anything that you say to an officer may be used against you later on.
The officer will attempt to gauge your level of impairment by administering field sobriety tests. These tests are used by officers to determine if chemical testing is necessary. However, these tests are unreliable and are typically used to prove your intoxication, not your sobriety. It is legal in Pennsylvania to politely refuse to perform field sobriety tests, and in many cases, it is advisable to refuse.
In most circumstances, you should not, however, refuse the breathalyzer test. If you do refuse the test, your license will be suspended if the police had reasonable cause to stop you, even if you are not convicted of a DUI later on. You are also not entitled to an attorney before taking a breathalyzer or other BAC test. If you are found to be over the legal blood-alcohol limit, you may be arraigned before a magistrate immediately, or you may be sent a summons in the mail to appear for a preliminary hearing.
Contact Us as Soon as Possible After a DUI Stop
At the earliest point possible after a DUI stop or arrest, it is advisable to contact an experienced DUI lawyer to protect your rights. At GGV Law, our criminal law attorneys will identify possible defenses to the DUI charges and will provide cost-effective legal service to preserve your driving privileges and your record. Call us in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area and Allegheny County for a free consultation at (412) 567-0858 or toll free at (866) 674-7132.
