The sight of a police car in your rearview mirror can make any driver nervous, particularly if you’re worried about a drunk driving arrest. If you want to avoid the worst possible consequences of a DUI stop, it’s crucial to contact a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as possible after the police arrest you. Otherwise, you could be looking at jail time, large fines, a driver’s license suspension, or other harsh penalties.
At Chieppor & Egner, our DUI defense attorneys serving Willow Street and Lancaster County, PA, believe anyone accused of drunk driving deserves a robust defense. Our firm’s lead attorneys are both former prosecutors and understand all the nuances of these cases. We know what evidence the police and prosecutors are looking for to convict you, and we can protect your rights and interests at every stage of your case. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
At Chieppor & Egner, we offer a personalized and professional approach to DUI cases in Willow Street and Lancaster County. Attorneys Jonathan Chieppor and Alex Egner are long-time residents of the area, which gives them deep ties to the local community and an understanding of the region’s legal system. Both have extensive backgrounds in criminal law due to their time as former prosecutors. This experience gives them an inside perspective on how DUI cases are built, allowing them to craft strong defenses for their clients.
Attorney Chieppor’s time in the Lancaster County District Attorney’s office, where he specialized in DUI cases, gives him valuable insight into the strategies prosecutors use to convict people suspected of drunk driving. This insider knowledge helps him anticipate challenges and provide effective legal representation in and out of the courtroom. Attorney Egner’s diverse experience, which includes time in the U.S. Army and as a public defender, helps him handle each case with skill and confidence.
Finally, we treat every client with respect and take the time to understand your needs. Our firm is dedicated to providing high-quality defense services with a personal touch to residents of Willow Street and Lancaster County.
In Pennsylvania, DUI penalties vary depending on the offender’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and whether they have any prior drunk driving offenses. For a first-time offender with a BAC between .08 and .099 percent, penalties typically include probation for up to 6 months, a $300 fine, and mandatory attendance at alcohol safety school. If the offender’s BAC is between 0.10 and 0.159 percent, the penalties increase to 48 hours to 6 months in jail, fines ranging from $500 to $5,000, and a 12-month driver’s license suspension.
If an offender’s BAC exceeds 0.16 percent or they were using a controlled substance, the penalties for a first offense could include 72 hours to 6 months in jail, a $1,000 to $5,000 fine, a 12-month license suspension, and mandatory treatment. Repeat offenses bring much harsher penalties. For example, a second DUI with a BAC between 0.10 and 0.159 percent may result in 30 days to 6 months in jail, fines up to $5,000, a 12-month license suspension, and the installation of an ignition interlock device.
The Pennsylvania implied consent law says you must submit to a blood or breath test after the police take you into custody on suspicion of DUI. Failure to comply with the test will result in a driver’s license suspension for a minimum of 12 months and possibly longer.
However, you do not have to comply with a police officer’s field sobriety test if they pull you over on suspicion of drunk driving. It’s typically in your interest to politely decline the tests, as the police can easily use a failed test as cause to arrest you. Once the police arrest you, though, contact an attorney as soon as possible.
You should give the police and prosecutors as little information as possible once the police take you into custody. Following these steps gives you a better chance of successfully contending your charges:
Invoke your right to remain silent – You have the constitutional right to remain silent after the police arrest you, and you should use it. It’s highly likely police or prosecutors will use anything you say against you, so don’t give them anything they can use.
Call a lawyer immediately – You have a short window to avoid an automatic driver’s license suspension once the police arrest you on suspicion of drunk driving. Call a lawyer as soon as possible, then stay silent until your lawyer arrives. Let your attorney handle the legal work and deal with the police and prosecutors.
Be honest with your lawyer – Your attorney can’t help you if you’re not honest about what happened. Tell them the truth and provide as much detail as possible about the traffic stop and your arrest. Your attorney can use this evidence to bolster your defense.
Do not discuss your case – Don’t say anything to anyone about your case unless you’re talking to your lawyer.
Comply with the breathalyzer test – There are ways to contest a DUI charge even if you register a BAC of 0.08 or higher on a breathalyzer test. Refusing the test will lead to an automatic driver’s license suspension.
The right defense strategy in a Lancaster County DUI case depends on the facts of the case, but some potential options include:
Showing that you had a medical condition that affected the breathalyzer test
Demonstrating how the police made a mistake when conducting the breathalyzer test
Challenging the validity of the traffic stop leading to the arrest
Looking for any issues with the chain of custody for any evidence against you
Seeing if the police or prosecutors violated your constitutional rights at any step
Our skilled attorneys are ready to help you fight a DUI charge using every tool at our disposal. Call Chieppor & Egner now or reach out online for a free case evaluation if you’ve been arrested for DUI in Willow Street or elsewhere in Lancaster County.
If you can’t make it to our office for whatever reason, we can meet you wherever is most convenient to discuss your DUI case. If you’d like to visit our office and speak with our legal team there, here’s how to find the office at 53 N. Duke Street, Suite 401, in Lancaster:
From the North:
Take PA-72 S toward Lancaster.
Continue straight onto N. Prince Street.
Turn left onto E. Chestnut Street, then turn right onto N. Duke Street.
The office will be on your right.
From the South:
Head north on US-222 N toward Lancaster.
Take the exit toward PA-324 N and continue onto S. Queen Street.
Turn right onto E. King Street, then left onto N. Duke Street.
The office is on your left.
From the East:
Take US-30 W toward Lancaster.
Take the exit for PA-462 W/Lincoln Highway and follow it west.
Turn right onto N. Duke Street.
The office is on your right.
From the West:
Head east on US-30 E.
Take the exit for PA-283 E toward Lancaster.
Continue onto N. Queen Street, then turn left onto E. Chestnut Street.
Turn right onto N. Duke Street.
The office will be on your right.
