Pittsburgh DUI Lawyer
ARD Gives Offenders A Second Chance
In Allegheny County, first-time non-violent offenders may qualify for the ARD program, which gives them a second chance for a clean criminal record. ARD stands for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition. It is commonly offered to first-time DUI offenders.
ARD participants agree to a probationary period lasting from six months to two years that may include community service, restitution, and offense-specific classes. Although the program isn’t cheap – court costs alone exceed $2,600 – successful completion of ARD allows an offender’s record to be erased or expunged.
To learn if you are eligible for ARD, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Understanding Pennsylvania DUI Law
In Pennsylvania, there are two main ways that a person may be convicted for driving under the influence (DUI).
The first way is to consume “a sufficient amount of alcohol” to render the person incapable of safe driving. In such cases, the prosecutor must show a nexus, or link, between the bad driving and the consumption of alcohol.
The second and more common way is for the person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) to be at least .08 percent within two hours after driving. BAC is measured by dividing grams of alcohol by 100 milliliters of blood. Police use breath, blood, and urine tests to determine a driver’s BAC level.
Penalties for a DUI become more severe with increased BAC levels. A BAC of at least .08 percent but less than .10 percent is considered a “general impairment.” A BAC of at least .10 percent but less than .16 percent is considered a “high rate of alcohol.” A BAC of .16 percent or higher is considered the “highest rate of alcohol.”
To speak with a Pittsburgh DUI lawyer, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Pennsylvania DUI Law Also Restricts Drug Use
Pennsylvania DUI laws include severe restrictions not just on drunk driving but also on any use of drugs and controlled substances.
The law states that a person may not drive if his or her blood contains “any amount” of a Schedule I controlled substance, non-medically prescribed Schedule II or III controlled substances, or a metabolite of any controlled substance.
Schedule I controlled substances include: marijuana, heroin, ecstasy, LSD, mescaline, and DMT. Schedule II controlled substances include: Oxycontin, Percocet, Demerol, codeine, and morphine. Schedule III controlled substances include: vicodin, ephedrine, and anabolic steroids.
Additionally, Pennsylvania law restricts a person from driving while under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs, or while under the influence of a solvent or noxious substance.
To speak with a Pittsburgh DUI attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.