Lower Merion DUI Lawyer

A DUI charge will affect you, but it shouldn’t ruin your life. With the help of a Lower Merion DUI lawyer from Kellis Law Firm, you have a greater chance of having your charges dropped or reduced. 

Call us at (215) 977-4183 today for more information and to schedule your free consultation. 

Protect Your Future. Get a Lawyer.

Being arrested for DUI in Lower Merion, PA, can have severe implications for your future. You could lose your license for a year or longer and face hefty fines alongside possible jail time. The arrest and conviction will go on your record, which may hurt your chances of getting a job or finding a place to live. 

Some employers may even fire you when they find out about the conviction, especially if your job involves driving a company vehicle regularly.

For these reasons and more, it’s important to properly defend yourself against criminal charges after getting arrested for a DUI. There are always options available to decrease your chances of landing in a worst-case scenario.

You can appoint a Lower Merion DUI lawyer to represent you and provide criminal defense for your case. The Law Offices of Steven E. Kellis can offer experienced DUI defense services for anyone arrested in Lower Merion or elsewhere in Pennsylvania.

What Are The Pennsylvania DUI Laws?

DUI defendants should be significantly aware of these Pennsylvania laws since they are frequently changed or updated.

First, 38 § 3802(a-c) makes it illegal to operate a vehicle when you have consumed enough alcohol to affect your ability to drive safely. The text of this law can mean that you are technically committing a DUI even if you blow under the 0.08 blood alcohol content (BAC) limit.

If you have had any amount of alcohol and are pulled over for driving in a manner that the arresting officer deems unsafe, you can be charged.

38 § 3802(d) makes it illegal to drive when you are hindered by the effects of illegal drugs, controlled substances, and certain prescription or over-the-counter drugs that can affect your abilities.

Pennsylvania DUI law sets out different DUI penalties for varying levels of intoxication, as measured by a BAC breathalyzer or blood test. “General impairment” refers to BACs below 0.10, “High BAC” refers to any BAC between 0.10 and 0.159, and “Highest BAC” refers to anyone arrested with a BAC of 0.16 or higher.

Some laws levy higher penalties against individuals convicted of multiple DUIs as well as individuals involved in accidents that cause severe injury or death.

Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program

This Pennsylvania program diverts you from the trial, allowing you to complete a probation program, attend education classes, take substance abuse tests, and pay some fees. Upon completion, it’s like you never even faced prosecution at all. You can petition the court to expunge the arrest after a certain period.

Participating in ARD is a good option for some people facing DUI charges in Lower Merion, but one should not assume it’s the only option. The primary reason is that you can only do it once. If you had the chance to fight your charges, chose to participate in the program instead, and faced another DUI at a later date, you’ve effectively removed your ARD option.

Speak with an experienced Lower Merion DUI lawyer to weigh your options and discuss whether participating in the program is best for you.

What Are My DUI Plea Options in Lower Merion, PA?

Several plea options are available when you attend your arraignment in Lower Merion. Attorney Steven Kellis will help you weigh all these options and decide the best for your circumstances.

• Delay your plea – This option can be used if you and your attorney file motions to drop charges or would like to wait until you have an attorney present. You may also not have to enter a plea if you are eligible for ARD.
• Not guilty – This option allows you to fight your DUI charges procedurally or in court. You can prepare a defense that disproves the prosecution’s case or shows they committed errors that should allow the case to be dropped.
• Guilty – A guilty plea can involve an arrangement where you plea to lesser charges in exchange for more lenient penalties. If you intend to plead guilty, discuss your options with an experienced Lower Merion DUI lawyer to determine arrangements.
• Nolo Contendere -“No contest,” meaning you won’t fight the charges. This is as good as a guilty plea and does not benefit those facing DUI charges.

Other Charges You May Face for a Lower Merion DUI Arrest

In addition to driving under the influence, you may have several other charges related to your arrest. These may include driving without insurance, opening a container, drug possession, child endangerment, resisting arrest, leaving the scene of the accident, and others.

Your Pennsylvania DUI attorney will help you weigh your options for each charge and develop a legal strategy for addressing them individually. In some cases, you may be able to have all charges dropped at once if the reason for the stop is deemed invalid by the court.

Why You Need to Hire a Lawyer

There are many possible outcomes after a DUI charge, especially if you face a higher BAC level charge or multiple charges related to one stop. Without a DUI defense lawyer, you could face stiff penalties, including incarceration, court-ordered evaluations, and rehabilitation programs, hefty fines and fees, probation, a suspended license, and a permanent addition to your criminal record.

Appointing a lawyer allows you to examine your options and fight each charge. In many instances, having a DUI defense lawyer is the difference between the maximum penalties and moderate penalties, thanks to an effective plea bargain. Other times, your DUI lawyer may be able to get pieces of evidence or specific criminal charges dropped because of mistakes made by police or the prosecutor.

Don’t let one arrest jeopardize your entire future. Think about the benefits a Lower Merion DUI lawyer can offer, and then contact us today.

Contact Our Lower Merion DUI Lawyers

Any time you face DUI charges in Lower Merion, Montgomery County, or anywhere else in Pennsylvania, know that you have an ally at the Law Offices of Steven E. Kellis waiting to provide legal guidance.

You can schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation case consultation by calling (215) 977-4183 or contacting us online.