In Pennsylvania law, there are several statutory provisions under which a person can be charged with DUI. While some of the DUI provisions require the Commonwealth to prove a defendant’s blood alcohol level at the time of his or her arrest, a person can be convicted for DUI general impairment…
Articles Posted in DUI Appeal
Pennsylvania Court Affirms DUI Conviction Even Though the Defendant was not Driving at the Time of His Arrest
The Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle code prohibits drivers from operating, driving, or exercising physical control over a car if they have consumed an amount of alcohol that renders them incapable of doing so safely. Many people assume that if you do not drive a car while intoxicated you cannot be charged…
Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania Holds That The Mistaken Belief That Increased Penalties Will Be Imposed for Refusing to Submit to a Blood Test is Not Sufficient Grounds to Suppress Test Results
Under Pennsylvania DUI law, you must knowingly and willingly consent to chemical testing for the results of the test to be admissible. If you can show that your consent to a blood test was invalid or coerced, you may be able to suppress the results of the test. Before the…
Pennsylvania Drivers Suspected of DUI Required to Submit Two Breath Samples to Avoid License Suspension
Most people are aware that if you are stopped due to suspicion of a DUI, the police can request that you submit to a breath test. It is not common knowledge, however, that under Pennsylvania DUI law, you are required to provide two breath samples, and the refusal to provide…
Pennsylvania Courts Rule Birchfield Does Not Prohibit a License Suspension for Refusing a Blood Test
The United States Supreme Court’s decision in Birchfield v. North Dakota, is an important ruling that permanently altered the manner in which DUI cases are prosecuted and what penalties may be imposed, throughout the country. In Pennsylvania, Birchfield continues to cause confusion, however, both among the prosecution and Pennsylvania DUI…
Pennsylvania Supreme Court to Rule Whether Birchfield v. North Dakota Applies Retroactively
The United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Birchfield v. North Dakota drastically changed the prosecution of DUI cases throughout the country. In Birchfield, the Court held that a DUI defendant cannot be subject to warrantless blood tests or face increased criminal penalties for refusing to submit to blood testing. The…
Circumstantial Evidence Provides Sufficient Grounds to Charge a Suspect with DUI Under Pennsylvania Law
While it is common knowledge you can be charged with DUI if a police officer directly observes you driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, many people are unaware you can be charged with DUI even if the arresting officer did not actually witness you operating a vehicle. In…
What Constitutes Refusal to Submit to Chemical Testing in Pennsylvania?
Under Pennsylvania law, if you are detained due to suspicion of DUI and refuse to submit to chemical testing, the Department of Transportation may suspend your license for one year. While the police are required to warn a suspect of the consequences of refusing to take a blood or breath…
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Considers Whether Refusal Of Pennsylvania DUI Suspects To Submit To Blood Tests Is Proof Of Consciousness of Guilt
Courts throughout the country continue to feel the repercussions of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Birchfield v. North Dakota, as they try to navigate the effects of the decision on current DUI case law and statutes. Birchfield held, in part, that increased criminal penalties could not be imposed on…
Failure to Obtain Proper Consent Prior to Administering a Blood Test Results in Overturn of Pennsylvania DUI Conviction
Many people mistakenly believe they must submit to a blood test if they are detained due to suspicion of DUI. While this used to be true, the Supreme Court’s decision in Birchfield v. North Dakota changed the legal landscape throughout the country with regards to the use of blood draws…