Facing driving under the influence (DUI) charges in Mount Joy, Lancaster County, is serious. A conviction can significantly impact your life by resulting in a license suspension, fines, and even jail time. You’ll also end up with a criminal record that can make it harder to get and hold a job or secure housing.
If you’re facing DUI charges in Mount Joy, contact Chieppor & Egner for a free consultation with one of our experienced DUI defense attorneys. We’ll review your case, walk you through the charges and penalties you’re facing, and go over some of the possible defenses.
In Pennsylvania, there are five blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits that could influence your charges and penalties. 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%
Underage and school bus drivers can face DUI charges for having a BAC of as little as 0.02 percent, which is four times less than the usual legal limit. Similarly, commercial drivers can face charges for having a BAC of 0.04 percent and risk losing their commercial driver’s license (CDL) if convicted.
For the majority of drivers, the statewide BAC limit is 0.08 percent, with higher rates of alcohol leading to harsher penalties. A BAC of 0.10 percent is a high rate of alcohol, and a BAC of 0.16 percent is the highest rate of alcohol.
Understanding what BAC limit prosecutors are charging you with exceeding is essential for your defense, as your attorney may be able to get it reduced.
The criminal penalties you could face if convicted of a DUI in Lancaster County depend on your BAC level and your number of prior DUI offenses. Everyone convicted of a DUI offense in Pennsylvania must complete an alcohol highway safety program and have an ignition interlock device installed in their care for at least one year.
Additional criminal penalties based on BAC level and prior offenses 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 various defenses you can use when charged with a DUI in Mount Joy. Some of the most common are:
Rising BAC – Your BAC can rise over time, which is why all chemical tests must happen within two hours of the traffic stop. If police test your BAC after this period, your attorney may be able to get it barred from evidence.
Improper Field Sobriety Tests – Your attorney may argue that the police officers improperly administered the field sobriety tests.
Disputed Field Sobriety Tests – Your attorney may dispute the prosecution’s interpretation of the field sobriety test results.
Chemical Test Issues – Your attorney may argue that there was an issue with the chemical test results due to improper calibration or a medical condition.
Illegal Stop – If the police didn’t have a valid reason for pulling you over, it may have been an illegal stop.
Chain of Custody Issues – Your attorney may cast doubt on the evidence presented against you if there were chain of custody issues, such as if an unauthorized person had access to the chemical test results.
Hiring a DUI defense attorney is the best way to protect your legal rights. Your attorney can help after you’ve been arrested in Mount Joy by:
Disputing Evidence – They may dispute various pieces of evidence brought by the prosecution, thereby weakening the prosecution’s case against you.
Negotiating a Plea Deal – They may negotiate with the prosecution for a plea deal that reduces your charges or penalties.
Petitioning for Diversion – They may petition the court to allow you to enter a diversion program instead of going to jail or prison if convicted.
Representing You in Court – They will defend your rights in court by presenting a solid case against the charges brought by prosecutors.
If the Mount Joy Borough Police Department arrested you for driving under the influence and you’re now facing a DUI charge, contact the experienced DUI attorneys of Chieppor & Egner for a free consultation. Our team will review your charges, explain the penalties and possible defenses, and answer any questions you have about the legal process.
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.
