You never thought you would be in this position – seeking a DUI attorney for you or a loved one. You are, by no means, alone. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reports that during 2021, about 21 alcohol-related collisions occurred each day, on average, in Pennsylvania. Most of these collisions involved drunk drivers between the ages of 21 and 30 years of age.
Every DUI case is different, but the bottom line becomes very evident, very quickly – hiring an aggressive, highly-skilled DUI attorney is critical. With a powerhouse legal team representing a client—it can make the difference between possible jail time or no jail time, at all.
Even if an accused is convicted of a DUI charge and does not face incarceration, the offense remains on a person’s record permanently. This can have a lifetime impact on the convicted when it comes to employment, seeking credit, applying for a rental property, seeking a home loan, and the list goes on.
So many aspects of one’s financial life can be put in an ever-present limbo. Fortunately, there is a way around that for some who have a DUI conviction hanging over their heads – welcome to Ferro Law Firm!
Our DUI attorney team serves those in York, PA, and surrounding communities. We are ready to guide you, defend your rights, and become your powerful legal advocate, and a source of encouragement. As your legal counsel, we will utilize every angle of our knowledge and experience to pursue the very best possible outcome for you or your family member.
In Pennsylvania, there is three-tiered system that establishes the specific DUI charge and potential consequences. Those tiers are generally as follows:
- ‘General impairment’ (BAC of 0.080% to 0.099%)
- ‘High rate’ (BAC of 0.10% to 0.159% or a DUI with an accident)
- ‘Highest rate'(BAC of 0.160% or higher and/or DUI involving drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol)
In order to convict an individual of DUI, the Commonwealth must prove that the individual operated a vehicle on a highway or byway of the Commonwealth and that, at the time of the operation of the vehicle, the driver was impaired or operating with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit.
Further, a police officer must have probable cause to pull a driver over and initiate a DUI investigation. Both the Fourth Amendment of the Unites States Constitution and Article I, Section Eight of the Pennsylvania Constitution protects individuals, and it prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures, which includes illegal or unauthorized traffic stops.
Our DUI attorney team offers not only offers years of experience… but hope and encouragement. Since this is an area of law our firm focuses on, we have a strong grasp of the defense strategies that can lead to dropped or reduced charges, that can prevent the suspension of your driver’s license, or that can win an acquittal at trial.
If you want a better understanding of your case and how we can help, contact us immediately.
Is Your DUI Case Defensible?
In some cases, our DUI attorney team can obtain a dismissal of the charge or a reduction of the offense, depending on the circumstances. We have been successful with DUI arrests not leading to DUI convictions for our York, PA clients. This is huge, as DUI convictions can result in a permanent scar on a driving record.
In addition to establishing a violation of the Fourth Amendment, our attorneys have utilized all the following defenses to obtain exceptional results
Failure to provide complete discovery – DUI charges could be dismissed if all required evidence from the police is not presented to the judge.
Lack of probable cause – One cannot be arrested unless an officer has probable cause to believe one was driving under the influence. If the arresting officer pulled you over illegally, all evidence obtained after the traffic stop would be thrown out of court. This would include your breath or blood test result, FST results, and anything you may have said to the arresting officer.
Improper administration of field sobriety test – A field sobriety test includes a battery of assessments used by police officers to determine if a person driving was under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Arresting offices must follow standard procedures when administering a field sobriety test. If standard procedures are not adhered to and/or if test results were inaccurate, DUI charges could be dropped, or a sentence could be reduced.
Inability to prove the operator of the vehicle – If the police officer is unable to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you were behind the wheel while under the influence, then your DUI charges would likely be dropped. In Pennsylvania, you can only be convicted of driving under the influence if you are in “actual physical control” of your vehicle. There are various instances where “actual physical control” can become a complicated issue.
Invalid Blood Test Results –Blood results can many times be questioned due to numerous issues, including consent, timeliness, or the failure to follow proper procedures. Blood tests also have a scientific margin of error, which can result in misleading or questionable results.
The above are just some of the issues we have successfully litigated on behalf of our clients. Each case and defense are different. The goal remains constant, however – striving to find the best result for our client.
Can Some DUI Convictions Be Expunged? Yes, They Can.
A DUI conviction is a matter of public record, permanently. It can be embarrassing and life altering. When someone has a DUI conviction on their criminal background report it can impact every aspect of their life. Credit bureaus and other financial reporting agencies will receive notification of the DUI conviction and may choose to enter that information into the offenders’ credit history.
As a result, landlords and potential employers, often, shy away from someone with a DUI offense. Getting home and car loans can also become problematic.
The snowball effect can be overwhelming since almost every aspect of a person’s life is impacted by the DUI conviction. This is why seeking a skilled DUI attorney from Ferro Law Firm is so important.
Our York, PA clients who are convicted as first-time DUI offenders may have the option of a program known as the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD). A DUI attorney from our team can explain, more fully, what the ARD program entails, help you apply for the program, assist you with meeting the legal deadlines, and work with you petitioning the court toward your DUI being expunged from your record.
Once you apply for the ARD program, and if you are accepted, you must successfully complete the program which can take up to two years. Once successfully completed, all the charges filed against you will be dismissed by court order and you will also be entitled to an expungement of the criminal history.
The ARD program allows you to avoid jail time but does include a variety of interventions designed to rehabilitate those in York, PA, and elsewhere who are first-time offenders. It could include drug and alcohol testing, community service, the inclusion of a probation officer, and other interventions.
The ARD program offers a reprieve for those who sincerely want to salvage their futures and begin again with a clean slate. With the expungement of a DUI offense, potential employers, leasing agents, lending institutions, etc. would never have access to any prior DUI record. The only reference to your DUI would be an internal record for the police and prosecutors.
Representing Yourself? Think Long and Hard About It
Have you contemplated representing yourself in your DUI charge? Any seasoned DUI lawyer would have a one-word come-back to that thought: “Don’t!”. Our DUI attorney team has the experience, resources, insight, and time required to generate the best possible outcomes for our York, PA clients.
Inexperience in the courtroom can spell disaster and unintended consequences for those who underestimate what it takes to counteract polished prosecutors. If you don’t know the law, don’t jeopardize your future. Instead, take advantage of a free consultation with a DUI attorney from our team. We can discuss the details of your case and the best course of action moving forward. Ferro Law Firm is here to help!
Connect with our Team – We'll Become Your Potent Ally
Our neighbors in York, PA, and beyond can connect with our legal team by:
- Calling 717-668-8159 for immediate assistance
- Submitting questions or comments online, 24/7
- Scheduling a complimentary consultation – we are here to listen and help you move forward
