If you get arrested for drinking and driving, you could face serious penalties, like jail time, the requirement to pay a fine and lost driving privileges. The penalties you face depend on several factors, such as your blood alcohol content at the time of the arrest.
According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the state of Pennsylvania relies on a tiered approach when determining DUI penalties. These three levels include general impairment, high BAC and highest BAC.
General impairment
If your BAC level is between 0.08% to 0.099% at the time of the arrest, you will face penalties for general impairment. If you have no prior DUI offenses on your record, you could face up to six months of probation, a $300 fine and treatment when ordered.
High BAC
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania views a high BAC as someone with a BAC level of 0.10% to 0.159%. If you have no other DUI offenses on your record, you could spend up to six months in prison, pay a fine of up to $5,000 and lose your driver’s license for a year.
Highest BAC
The highest BAC level occurs when you have a BAC level of 0.16% or higher. Penalties under this level of DUI can include prison time for up to 6 months, a year of license suspension and a fine of up to $5,000.
You may have concerns about your future and finances after getting arrested for DUI. Take necessary steps to protect your legal rights during this uncertain time.