A charge of driving under the influence (DUI) in Lititz, Lancaster County, can have a significant impact on your life. Even a first-time conviction could result in a license suspension, prison time, a fine, and other penalties that may make it hard to hold a job, seek higher education, or secure housing.
If you’re facing DUI charges in Lititz, contact Chieppor & Egner for a free consultation with one of our experienced DUI defense attorneys. We’ll review your case, explain the charges and penalties, and explain the defenses that may be available.
In Lancaster County and throughout Pennsylvania, there are five BAC limits / DUI levels that could impact the charges you’re facing. These BAC limits are:
Underage and School Bus Drivers – 0.02%
Commercial Drivers – 0.04%
General Impairment – 0.08 – 0.099%
High Rate of Alcohol – 0.10 – 0.159%
Highest Rate of Alcohol – 0.16%
Prosecutors can charge underage drivers and school bus drivers with DUI even if they only have a BAC limit of 0.02%, and they can charge commercial drivers with a BAC limit of 0.04%. For all other drivers, the standard BAC limit is 0.08%, with higher rates of alcohol applying harsher penalties.
Understanding precisely what BAC limit prosecutors are charging you with exceeding is important for your defense. For example, if they’re charging you with having a high rate of alcohol, your attorney may be able to demonstrate that your BAC levels didn’t reach this threshold.
The criminal penalties you could face if convicted of a DUI offense in Pennsylvania depend on your BAC level and your number of prior offenses. In addition to having to complete a highway alcohol safety program and having an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle for one year, DUI penalties include:
General Impairment
First Offense – Up to six months of probation and a $300 fine.
Second Offense – Between five days and six months in jail, a fine of between $300 and $2,500, and a one-year license suspension.
Third or Higher Offense – Between ten days and two years in prison, a fine of between $500 and $5,000, and a one-year license suspension.
High Rate of Alcohol
First Offense – Between two days and six months in prison, a fine of between $500 and $5,000, and a one-year license suspension.
Second Offense – Between 30 days and six months in prison, a fine of between $750 and $5,000, and a one-year license suspension.
Third Offense – Between 90 days and five years in prison, a fine of between $1,500 and $10,000, and an 18-month license suspension.
Fourth or Higher Offense – Between one and five years in prison, a fine of between $1,500 and $10,000, and an 18-month license suspension.
Highest Rate of Alcohol
First Offense – Between three days and six months in prison, a fine of between $1,000 and $5,000, and a one-year license suspension.
Second Offense – Between 90 days and five years in prison, a fine of between $1,500 and $10,000, and an 18-month license suspension.
Third or Higher Offense – Between one and five years in prison, a fine of between $2,500 and $10,000, and an 18-month license suspension.
There are a few defenses your attorney could use to fight against the charges you’re facing in Lititz. Some of these defenses include:
Rising BAC – BAC can rise over time, so all chemical tests must happen within two hours of the stop. If police test your BAC after this period, it may not be admissible as evidence.
Improperly Administered Field Sobriety Tests – If the police officers improperly administered the field sobriety tests, it may have resulted in them believing you were impaired when you were not.
Chemical Test False Positive – Your attorney could argue that the chemical blood test resulted in a false positive if there is other evidence pointing toward you not being impaired.
Disputed Field Sobriety Test Results – Your attorney may argue that video footage of the field sobriety tests doesn’t align with what the officers allege in their traffic stop report.
Illegal Stop – If the officers had no reason to stop you, your attorney may argue that it was an illegal traffic stop.
Chain of Custody Issues – There may be issues surrounding the chain of custody of evidence, including your chemical test results.
Medical Condition – You may have a condition that causes chemical tests to display a false positive or makes it difficult to complete field sobriety tests.
Hiring a criminal defense attorney after a DUI charge is essential to protecting your rights. Some of the ways an attorney can help are:
Disputing the Prosecution’s Evidence – Disputing evidence brought by the prosecution is a vital part of criminal defense. An experienced attorney will know when challenging evidence is beneficial and will use this to weaken the prosecution’s case.
Negotiating a Plea Agreement – An attorney can negotiate with the prosecution on your behalf to secure a favorable plea agreement that reduces the charges or penalties you’re facing.
Petitioning for a Diversion Program – An attorney can petition the court to place you in a diversion program instead of sentencing you to jail or prison.
Representing You in Court – An attorney can defend you in court and present a solid case against the charges.
If the Lititz Borough Police Department arrested you for driving under the influence and you’re now facing a DUI charge, contact Chieppor & Egner for a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and work to secure a favorable outcome in your case.
If you’ve been convicted of a crime in Lancaster County but have since turned your life around, you should look into the possibility of having your criminal record expunged. With an expungement or a pardon, any trace of your past conviction is removed from your record, and you can move forward in life without being held back by the past. An experienced defense attorney can help with criminal record expungement. Ask us about it when you come in for your free consultation.
Use the following directions to reach our Lancaster office at 53 N. Duke Street, Suite 401:
From the North:
Take US-222 S towards Lancaster.
Merge onto PA-272 S / Oregon Pike via Exit 41 toward Lancaster.
Continue on PA-272 S / Oregon Pike for about 3 miles.
Turn right onto E Liberty St.
After about 0.5 miles, turn left onto N Duke St.
Continue on N Duke St for 0.4 miles. The destination will be on your right.
From the South:
Take US-222 N towards Lancaster.
Merge onto PA-741 W / Millersville Rd via Exit 32.
Continue on PA-741 W for about 3 miles.
Turn right onto PA-462 E / Columbia Ave.
Continue for 1.5 miles, then turn left onto N Queen St.
After 0.6 miles, turn right onto E Orange St.
Turn left onto N Duke St. The destination will be on your left.
From the East:
Take US-30 W towards Lancaster.
Take the exit toward PA-23 / New Holland Pike.
Turn left onto PA-23 W / New Holland Pike and continue for 3 miles.
Turn left onto N Duke St.
Continue on N Duke St for 0.6 miles. The destination will be on your right.
From the West:
Take US-30 E towards Lancaster.
Take the exit for PA-462 / W King St.
Merge onto PA-462 E / Columbia Ave.
Continue on PA-462 E for 3.5 miles.
Turn left onto N Queen St.
After 0.6 miles, turn right onto E Orange St.
Turn left onto N Duke St. The destination will be on your left.
