We offer comprehensive legal services for a wide range of traffic violations. 

Driving Under the Influence Charges 

In 2003, Pennsylvania adopted a three-tiered DUI law that bases penalties on the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) and other factors such as prior driving under the influence convictions. The three BAC levels are:

Tier 1: General Impairment (BAC .08 – .099)

• 1st Offense DUI: A misdemeanor, six months probation, and a $300 fine;

• 2nd Offense DUI: A misdemeanor, five days to six months in jail, a $300 -$2500 fine, and a 1-year license suspension;

• 3rd Offense DUI: 2nd-degree misdemeanor, ten days to two years in prison, a $500 -$5,000 fine, and a 1-year license suspension. 

Tier 2. High Rate (BAC .10 – .159)

• 1st Offense DUI: A misdemeanor, 48 hours to six months jail, a $500 – $5,000 fine, and a 1-year license suspension;

• 2nd Offense DUI: A misdemeanor, 30 days – six months jail, a $750 – $5,000 fine, and a 1-year license suspension;

• 3rd Offense DUI:  A 1st-degree misdemeanor, 90 days – five years in prison, a $1,500 – $10,000 fine, and an 18-month license suspension;

• 4th Offense DUI: A 1st-degree misdemeanor, One year to five years in prison, a $1,500 – $10,000 fine, and an 18-month license suspension.

Tier 3. Highest Rate (BAC .16 +); Controlled Substance (Drug DUI) ; Refusal of Chemical Test

• 1st Offense DUI: A misdemeanor, 72 hours – six months jail, a $1,000 – $5,000 fine; a 1-year license suspension;

• 2nd Offense DUI: A first-degree misdemeanor, 90 days – five years in prison a $1,500 – $10,000 fine, and an 18-month license suspension;

• 3rd Offense DUI:  A felony 2 or 3 conviction, up to ten years in prison, up to $25,000 in fines, and an 18-month license suspension.

A DUI can lead to prison time, a suspended license, and up to thousands of dollars in fines and fees. If your charges have aggravating factors, you could potentially end up with a permanent felony record. Don’t risk your future by navigating the criminal justice courts alone. Contact me. 

Traffic Violations 

I cover a wide array of traffic violations, including:

• Speeding
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Reckless or careless driving
• Improper turns
• Following too closely
• Failure to signal a lane change or turn
• Failure to stop for a school bus
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Distracted driving, such as texting
• Improper passing
• Leaving the scene of an accident (hit and run)
• Driving without a valid license
• Driving without required insurance
• Driving with a suspended or revoked license
• Expired or missing inspection/registration
• Malfunctioning equipment, such as lights
• Failure to obey traffic control devices
• Failure to wear a seatbelt
• Failure to stop at a railroad crossing
• Driving too fast for conditions

PennDOT Point System

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation uses a point system for traffic offenses. 

• Failure to obey an authorized person directing traffic — 2 points
• Violation of a restriction on driver’s license (wearing glasses, etc.) — 2 points
• Exceeding the speed limit by 6-10mph— 2 points
• Failure to stop for a red light — 3 points
• Improper passing at a bridge or tunnel — 3 points
• Following too closely (tailgating) — 3 points
• Failure to stop for a stop sign — 3 points
• Illegal U-turns — 3 points
• Careless driving — 3 points
• Exceeding the speed limit by 11 to 15 mph— 3 points and a 15-day suspension if it occurs in a work zone.
• Failure to stop at railroad crossings — 4 points
• Leaving the scene of an accident with property damage — 4 points
• Exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 25mph — 4 points and a 15-day license suspension if it occurs in a work zone.
• Exceeding the speed limit by 26 to 30mph — 5 points and a 15-day license suspension if it occurs in a work zone.
• Exceeding the speed limit by 31mph or more — 5 points and a 15-day license suspension if it occurs in a work zone. The hearing officer may also give you additional penalties.

First Accumulation of 6 Points
When any driving record reaches 6 or more points for the first time, the driver will receive a written notice to take a special written point examination or attend a Driver Improvement School.

The driver has 30 days to successfully pass the exam or complete the Driver Improvement School. At the end of the 30 days, the driving privilege will be suspended until the exam or Driver Improvement School is passed.

Second and Subsequent Accumulation of 6 Points
When any driving record is reduced below six points and then reaches six or more points for a second or subsequent time, the driver will have to
attend a Departmental Hearing and a Driver Improvement School. The driver will receive a written notice of the requirement to attend the hearing and Driver Improvement School

• After the hearing, the Department may suspended your license for:
  A period not exceeding 15 days, for the 2nd accumulation of six or more points.
• A period not exceeding 30 days, for the third or subsequent accumulation of six or more points

Summary Appeals 

If you already pled guilty or were found guilty by District Court, there may still be time to get a do-over. 

A Pennsylvania summary appeal is a process to request a new trial in the Court of Common Pleas after being convicted of a summary offense, such as a traffic ticket. This process must be initiated by filing a Notice of Summary Appeal within 30 days of the guilty plea or conviction. The appeal grants a new trial before a Common Pleas judge, which allows for presenting evidence and witnesses. 

A successful appeal results in a new, de novo trial before a Common Pleas Court judge, meaning it's a completely new hearing where you can present your case again.

Even if 30-days has passed, there may still be time to file a late appeal.  Do not delay and contact me today to review your case.