DUI License Suspension Attorney in Delaware County, PA Defending Clients Against Serious Charges in Delaware County, Montgomery County, Chester County, and Throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania
License suspension is a common consequence of a DUI conviction, but suddenly having to live without ready access to transportation can pose real challenges. If you’ve been charged with unlawfully operating a vehicle after losing your driving privileges, this most recent brush with the law can leave you feeling considerable stress. A Delaware County driving with a suspended license lawyer at The Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, LLC, is here to help.
If your situation involves a DUI suspension or loss of driving privileges due to certain other causes, driving while your license has been suspended can lead to mandatory jail time and other serious consequences. With extensive experience representing clients in criminal matters of all kinds, we’re prepared to fight for you with the most effective defense strategy possible. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
Help for Driving After DUI Suspension Charges in Delaware County, PA
Operating a vehicle on PA roads while your driving privileges are suspended or revoked is against the law under Section 1543 of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 75. How big a deal the offense of driving with a suspended license actually is depends on your specific circumstances.
In some cases, operating a vehicle while your license is suspended can constitute only a summary offense, punishable by a $200 fine. However, a conviction of driving after a DUI license suspension—as opposed to license suspensions resulting from other situations—can lead to jail time and other harsh penalties.
Per Section 1543(b)(1), severe consequences apply if your suspension of driving privileges occurred due to:
- DUI charges in violation of Section 3802 of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 75, or another state’s equivalent laws
- Breathylzer test refusal in violation of the state’s implied consent law (Section 1547 of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 75)
- Acceptance into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program, under which you can avoid a criminal conviction and get DUI charges dismissed upon meeting certain conditions
Because these losses of driving privileges result from prior criminal legal matters, the state takes even first offenses of operating a vehicle with a suspended license very seriously. In addition to lengthening the license suspension term, the law provides for fines and jail time when convicted of driving with a suspended license due to DUI.
Despite being classified as a summary offense, even a first violation of Section 1543(b)(1) results in a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 60 days, with a maximum term of 90 days, plus a $500 fine.
The penalties keep increasing for repeat offenders. For a second violation of driving while your license has been suspended due to a DUI, which is still classified as a summary offense, the minimum prison term increases to 90 days and the fine increases to $1,000. A third or subsequent such offense is a third-degree misdemeanor under PA law, carrying a minimum prison sentence of six months and a fine of $2,500.
Pennsylvania’s suspended driving privileges law (under Section 1543(b)(1.1) also addresses the offense of driving with a license suspended as a result of a DUI charge or related offense while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This section applies if you’re caught driving while your license has been suspended due to a either DUI or breath test refusal and any of the following circumstances apply:
- You have a BAC level of 0.02% or greater
- You have any amount of Schedule I or nonprescribed Schedule II or Schedule III controlled substance in your system
- You refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test in violation of the implied consent law
A first offense, categorized as a summary offense, can result in a $1,000 fine and a minimum prison term of 90 days. For a second offense, which constitutes a third-degree misdemeanor, a six-month minimum prison sentence and a $2,500 fine apply. Third and subsequent offenses result in minimum prison terms of two years and fines of $5,000.
You may not have hurt anyone or caused any damage, but simply operating a vehicle while your driving privileges are suspended due to a DUI can be sufficient to lead to mandatory jail time. When the charges against you are this serious, you need skilled legal guidance you can count on from a DUI license suspension attorney in Delaware County, PA.
What a DUI License Suspension Attorney in Delaware County, PA, Can Do for You
With penalties this harsh, you need to take a strong, effective stand by developing a defense strategy focused on achieving the most favorable resolution possible. At The Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, LLC, we consider all avenues for minimizing the consequences of charges of driving on a DUI suspended license, from arguing a lack of evidence to establishing that you weren’t actually the one driving.
We may be able to help you get improperly obtained evidence against you suppressed, seek dismissal of charges in cases where the evidence is weak, or negotiate a plea agreement that offers lighter sentences than you’re likely to face in court.
How The Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, LLC, Can Help
A dedicated Delaware County driving with a suspended license lawyer can provide peace of mind and valuable legal guidance from start to finish. We know how stressful it is to be facing serious charges, particularly when a conviction means a mandatory prison sentence. Although we handle matters like this every day, this situation is far from routine for you, which is why we’re committed to providing compassionate service and responsive, reliable communication throughout your case.
Count on us for the guidance you need at every stage, from the initial consultation through all legal proceedings. Whether we’re analyzing the facts, gathering information that supports your defense, negotiating a favorable out-of-court agreement, or presenting your defense at trial, we focus on making a difference in your life.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, LLC, as Your Delaware County Driving With a Suspended License Lawyer?
Throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, clients facing serious charges choose The Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, LLC, as their Delaware County driving with a suspended license lawyer. Our firm brings to every case experience, full-service representation, and a client experience that puts you first.
Decades of Experience
Attorney Joseph Lesniak has spent more than 20 years practicing law, not only as a criminal defense attorney with a record of success but also as a former assistant district attorney with knowledge of how prosecutors operate. With profound insight into PA laws and local court procedures, our firm has the experience your defense demands.
Comprehensive Legal Support
We know you need a strategy that fully addresses your legal issue from all angles. That’s why we provide comprehensive support and defense planning for clients accused of a wide range of criminal offenses. We’re here to guide you through the entirety of the legal process, so you never need to face the criminal justice system alone.
Personalized Attention and Defense Strategies
Your situation is unique, and the most effective defense strategy is one that’s precisely tailored to your unique circumstances. We provide personalized attention to meet every client’s needs as well as customized legal strategies based on the specific facts of their individual situation.
Contact a Delaware County Driving With a Suspended License Lawyer at The Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, LLC, Today for a Free Case Review
There are so many barriers to getting the legal help you need, but our firm is committed to removing them so that every defendant who faces driving on a DUI suspended license in Pennsylvania charges has the chance to acquire quality counsel. From making ourselves available 24/7 to traveling to meet clients at home or in jail when needed, we make criminal defense services accessible. We provide a free, confidential case evaluation so that you have the opportunity to understand your rights and legal options.
For help from a DUI license suspension attorney in Delaware County, PA, contact The Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, LLC, online or call (484) 444-2348 today.
