Sometimes Connecticut residents travel to other states, like Pennsylvania, for business or pleasure and have the unfortunate luck to be charged with a DUI. If this happens to you, you should first find a qualified DUI lawyer in Pennsylvania, but you should also be aware of how Connecticut’s DMV will treat you upon your return.

Pennsylvania DUI Penalties

If you have been convicted of a DUI in Pennsylvania, you would be convicted of violating 75 Pa. C.S. Section 3802 of the Pennsylvania statutes.

In Pennsylvania, the penalties for DUI can range depending on the number of prior DUI offenses you have.

First offense (BAC .08-.099): The penalties for this offense include probation for a maximum of six months, required AHSS, CRN, and possible D&A, and a fine of $300. You will not receive a license suspension nor will you have to serve jail time for this offense.

First offense (BAC .10-.159): This conviction will result in mandatory imprisonment for at least 48 hours and as long as six months, a fine of $500-$5,000, required AHSS, CRN, and D&A, and a license suspension for 12 months.

First offense (Refusal to give breath or blood sample, or BAC .16 or higher): This offense will result in at least 72 hours spent in jail, and up to six months of imprisonment, a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, required AHSS, CRN, and D&A, as well as a license suspension for one year.

Second offense (BAC .08-.099): The penalties for this offense are five days to six months in prison, a fine of $300 to $2,5000, required D&A, AHSS, and CRN, a license suspension for one year, and the installment of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for one year.

Second offense (BAC .10-.159): You must serve at least 30 days in prison, although your jail sentence will not exceed six months, and you will have to pay a fine of $750 to $5,000. In addition, your license will be suspended for one year, and CRN, AHSS, and D&A will be required. You must also install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for 12 months after your license is reinstated.

Second offense (Refusal or BAC .16 or higher): This conviction will result in a 90 day to five year jail sentence, a fine of $1,500-$10,000, required CRN, AHSS, D&A, a license suspension for one year, and the installation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for one year.

Third offense (BAC .08-.099): This offense will result in a mandatory jail sentence of ten days, although this jail sentence will not exceed two years. You must also pay a fine of $500-$5,000, your license will be revoked for one year, CRN and D&A will be required, and you must install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for one year.

 Third offense (BAC .10-.159): If you are convicted of this crime, you will serve a mandatory 90-day imprisonment, and your jail sentence can last for up to five years. You must also pay a $1,500-$10,000 fine, your license will be suspended for eighteen months, and once this suspension is over, you must have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle for one year. In addition, CRN and D&A are required.

Third offense (BAC .16 or higher, or refusal): This offense will result in a one to five year imprisonment, a fine of $2,500-$10,000, a license suspension for eighteen months, and CRN and D&A will be required. You will also be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for one year after your license is reinstated.

Fourth offense (BAC .08-.099): You must serve at least ten days in prison, and your sentence can last for up to two years. In addition, you must pay a fine of $500-$5,000, your license will be revoked for one year, and CRN and D&A will be required of you. You must also install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for one year after your license is reinstated.

Fourth offense (BAC .10-.159): This conviction carries a mandatory imprisonment of one year, which could last for up to five years, a fine of $1,500-$10,000, a license suspension for eighteen months, and required CRN and D&A. You will also be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for one year after your license is reinstated.

Fourth offense (Refusal, or BAC .16 or higher): This conviction carries a mandatory imprisonment of one year, which could last for up to five years, a fine of $2,500-$10,000, a license suspension for eighteen months, and required CRN and D&A. You will also be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for one year after your license is reinstated.

If you are a Connecticut resident who has been charged with or convicted of DUI in Pennsylvania, you should be aware that there are repercussions on your Connecticut license in your home state in addition to any license impact in Pennsylvania as set forth above.

After hiring a Pennsylvania DUI lawyer to help you fight your DUI, you should consider contacting a Connecticut DUI lawyer like our firm or asking us to assist you in retaining one for your home state consequences.