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If you have noticed the newspapers are reporting an increasing number of DUI incidents in Pennsylvania. There is an ongoing effort by police to monitor closely the driving habits of all Pennsylvanians. It has become increasingly clear that car owners need access to superior legal representation whether you are accused of DUI or have been the victim of a drunken driver. The laws covering this offense are complex and have changed over the years.
Montgomery County residents are fortunate to be close to some of the best professional resources in the United States today. Steven E. Kellis, a graduate of Villanova Law School and Bucknell University is a prominent PA DUI Attorney. He has handled over 100 DUI trials and over 1,000 evidentiary hearings. As a former DUI prosecutor, he knows the tactics police and prosecutors use. If you are arrested for DUI in Pennsylvania, penalties are rigorous: if you are over 21 (legal drinking age), and you blood alcohol level is .08 or higher, you are considered to be DUI. You may also be convicted at a lower BAC rate if you are driving erratically. If you are under 21 BAC is .02 or greater.
Just by being licensed in Pennsylvania you have agreed to chemical testing. If you refuse to have one or more tests for breath, blood or urine, your license will be suspended for one year. This is in additional to penalties for the DUI offense. Even if you are found not guilty of DUI and have refused the test, your license will be suspended for one year. A two and a half year suspension may result if you refuse to take the test and you are determined to be DUI, depending on your BAC level at the time of arrest. If you refuse testing and have a prior DUI conviction you will receive an eighteen month suspension for refusal plus eighteen more months for DUI. A first offense results in 6 months probation, a $300 fine, and no suspension. A second offense results in 5 days to 6 months in prison, a $300 to $2500 fine, and a 12 month suspension. A third offense brings 10 days to 2 years in prison, a $500 to $5000 fine, and a 12 month suspension.
Penalties increase the higher your blood alcohol, the more serious injuries
and damages resulting from driving while impaired, and the more times you are convicted. Second and third offenders must have an ignition interlock system installed for one year. You may have to attend alcohol abuse screening and treatment. A judge may also order 150 hours of community service.
There are more severe penalties for those with a higher BAC. In order to know your rights as a victim of an accident or as an individual charged with DUI, you need to consult the best attorney for Montgomery County, and that attorney is Steven E. Kellis.
All About Montgomery County
Montgomery County, the third most populated county in Pennsylvania with 795,000 residents, has its county seat in Norristown. It is bounded on the northwest by Berks and Lehigh Counties, on the southwest by Delaware and Chester, the southeast by Philadelphia, and the northeast by Bucks. Created in 1784 from part of Philadelphia County, Montgomery has played a major part in the history of the United States. Here, Washington’s army wintered at Valley Forge and Lafayette fought at Barren Hill. It was the birthplace of General Winfield Scott Hancock, General John F. Hartranft and General Henry “Hap” Arnold. Lucretia Mott, the abolitionist, and inventor David Ritttenhouse were residents. The King of Prussia Inn was host to George Washington when he was bivouacked at Whitemarsh, before his stay at Valley Forge.
Many of the residents of Montgomery County work in Philadelphia. There are also large business parks in King of Prussia, Blue Bell, Lansdale, Fort Washington and Horsham. Montgomery County provides thousands of jobs for local workers. A sampling of employers includes: Abington Memorial Hospital, Aetna, Jefferson Health System, Glaxo Smith-Kline, Lockheed Martin, Merck, Prudential and Unysis. Median family income is $72,000.
The county has a wealth of very fine public school districts like the Abington and Lower Merion districts. Private schools have located in Montgomery County since before the American Revolution. It is home to the Hill School, the Haverford School, Germantown Academy, Episcopal Academy and the Baldwin School, to name only a very few.
Colleges in Montgomery County are Arcadia University, Bryn Athyn College of the New Church , Bryn Mawr College, Rosemont College, Ursinus College, Tyler School of Art and many others. |
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