Beaver County DUI Defense
A DUI can have serious consequences. Will your license be revoked? Will you be arrested? Will you go to jail? Will a DUI affect my right to possess a firearm? For more than 35 years, Bononi and Company has represented and successfully defended clients charged with Driving Under the Influence. Our DUI Defense Team is here to protect your rights.
DUI Attorneys Serving Beaver County
Once DUI charges are filed, all DUI cases begin at the local Magisterial District Court. Like all criminal cases, a DUI case will be scheduled for a Preliminary Hearing. A Beaver County Assistant District Attorney, the police officer that pulled you over, and witnesses who may testify against you will be at the Preliminary Hearing to prosecute the case against you.
In Pennsylvania, DUI charges are very nuanced and technical. It’s important to seek legal advice early in your case so that you can present the best defense possible at the Preliminary Hearing. Our DUI Defense Team will review your case, analyze the law, and scrutinize the investigation to determine your best options. After the preliminary hearing, if the case is not dismissed, it will be heard at the Beaver County Courthouse in Beaver, Pennsylvania.
A DUI Can Impact Your Life
DUI convictions can result in jail time, probation, license suspension, fines, house arrest, and the inability to buy firearms. Never minimize the gravity of a DUI charge or the potential implications it could have on your life. Our DUI Defense Attorneys will do what they can to achieve the best result possible in your case. The Commonwealth has endless resources to prosecute a case against you. Our Defense Lawyers will help you fight back.
THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE
You are innocent until proven guilty. The District Attorney’s Office does not get to decide who is innocent and who is guilty. You can only be found guilty in two scenarios: 1) You plead guilty; or, 2) a judge or jury finds you guilty after a trial. To be found guilty, the prosecution must prove every element of a DUI beyond reasonable doubt. Here are the elements of a DUI:
- Actual physical control of a moving vehicle.
- The vehicle was on a highway or trafficway.
- You had a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or higher, alcohol made you incapable of safe driving or you were under the influence of an illegal substance.
Facts matter. Our DUI Defense lawyers have years of experience fighting DUIs and using the facts to our client’s advantage.
YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
The United States’ Constitution is designed to hold the Commonwealth accountable. Just because it’s the law, doesn’t mean the Commonwealth or the police always follow it. Did the police officer have reasonable suspicion? Did you receive your Miranda rights? Did the police get a warrant or your consent to draw your blood? The Supreme Court has stated unequivocally that evidence obtained in violation of a person’s rights may not be used against them. The United States Constitution and the Pennsylvania Constitution both protect you. Our Defense Team is here to protect your rights.
Bononi & Company, DUI Lawyers
When you retain Bononi & Company, you will deal directly with our Defense Team. A Defense Attorney will work directly with you to help build your case. Our defense team will explain the criminal procedure to you and make sure you are aware of all the developments in your case. To ensure the best conclusion, our staff will review every aspect of your case. You will collaborate with our Defense Team throughout the whole process, regardless of how your case is resolved—at trial, during a plea hearing, or by dismissal. At our offices in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Latrobe, or Johnstown, you can personally speak with your DUI attorney if you have any questions.
Will My License Be Suspended?
A DUI CONVICTION WILL LIKELY RESULT IN A SUSPENSION OF YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE. If you are convicted of a DUI, the license suspension is considered a “Civil Penalty” that is under PennDot’s jurisdiction, not the Court’s. These suspensions usually last between 12 and 18 months. You should consult with an attorney BEFORE pleading guilty of a DUI. You may be eligible for a Limited License, ARD, or you may be able to plead to a less serious offense. These options can either shorten the suspension’s length or allow you to drive on a limited basis.
Challenging the BAC
Pennsylvania has a tiered DUI grading system based on BAC, or Blood Alcohol Content. As a result, evidence of your BAC is crucial in a DUI case. The method by which the police obtained evidence about your BAC, as well as the accuracy of the test performed for your BAC, are frequently challenged in court. Our DUI defense team is trained to review your case and determine whether or not the BAC evidence should be suppressed (excluded from trial). There could be problems with how the breathalyzer was administered, how the blood was drawn, or the police may not have had probable cause for the test. These issues may aid in the resolution of your case.
Do I Need A Criminal Defense Lawyer?
The best approach for someone charged with a DUI to defend oneself is to have a lawyer on their side. Your life may be significantly impacted by a DUI. If you are accused of DUI, you will be up against the police officer who stopped you as well as the county’s district attorney’s office. An Assistant District Attorney will prosecute the case against you. Each courtroom has its own procedures in addition to Pennsylvania evidence standards and county rules of court. Breaking any of these intricate laws could have a severe effect on your DUI case. A skilled DUI defense lawyer on your side can make the difference in your case.
The Bononi & Company Team
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED – Our attorneys have been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Association and by Super Lawyers
LOCALLY RESPECTED – Our Firm was chosen as one of Westmoreland County’s Best Law Firms by the Tribune Review
PROVEN RESULTS – For 35 years, our firm has established itself as a leader in advocating for our clients.
Do Not Wait To Contact Us, Free Consultations
A DUI or traffic ticket can have major consequences. Get an experienced attorney’s advice to help you determine your defense. Call the lawyers at Bononi & Company, P.C., today at 412-832-0606 or contact us online. We will be happy to sit down and speak with you at our Pittsburgh office, Greensburg office, Latrobe office, or Johnstown office.
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