1st DUI Arrest, Pennsylvania

[D1qwerty]

This occured in Pennsylvania

Last evening after having a few drinks I made a very poor judgement call and decided to drive home. Approximately 1 mile from my home my battery light came on and all electrical systems in my car died, luckily I was able to pull into a church parking lot even without the assistance of power steering or brakes.
After opening my hood to inspect the problem an officer arrived and I told him about my car troubles. I produced my license and registration for him. Soon afterwards 2 more officers arrived and they began questioning me. I admitted to having a few beers and told them I was coming home from a bar. They administered a field sobriety test, then handcuffed me and placed me in the back of a patrol car.
I was then taken to booking where subsequent tests were performed and I blew a .163 on the breathalyzer. I was curteous and cooperative the entire time and answered their questions quickly and accurately. I requested a cab and was informed I didn't have enough money for one, however, one was called for anyways. I told the cab driver I only had $7 and he should stop when the meter said $6 because I didn't want to stiff him. He stopped at $7 and let me out about 2 miles from my home. I walked the rest of the way, past where my car was still parked.

Now I have several questions and would greatly appreciate any help.
I know I should contact a lawyer, does anyone have any reccomendations for DUI attorneys in central Pennsylvania? What kind of fees are typically associated with a DUI defense?
I realize because I was above .16 I was in the higher tier of the offenses. This is my first offense. What kind of penalties are typical for this? Can I avoid Jail time? I read about the ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) program. Can I qualify for this? How would I go about trying for the ARD program?
The only document I was given was the readout from the breathalyzer, when should I expect to recieve notices of court dates, etc.. in the mail?

I'm sure I will think of more questions. If I omitted anything important please let me know and I will provide the information to the best of my knowledge.

Thank you for your time, any assistance would be most helpful.

[Curt581]

Originally Posted by tazerman

DWI is the only crime where our rights dont matter thanks to the repubs. YOUR guilty till proven innocent.

Please explain your reasoning on such a blanket statement.

How were the OP's rights violated in any way, shape, or form?

Please explain how the various Implied Consent laws are directly attributable to the Republican Party.

Numerous courts, including State and Federal... all the way up to the US Supreme Court have ruled that driving an automobile is a privilege, NOT a Right granted under the Constitution.

Implied Consent laws have been upheld time and time again.
They do NOT violate anyone's "rights".

[CdwJava]

Originally Posted by tazerman

DWI is the only crime where our rights dont matter thanks to the repubs. YOUR guilty till proven innocent.

Oh goody ... WHAT rights don't matter?

And do you mean thanks to the "Republicans?" If so, perhaps you should look at the history of this sort of legislation. In my state virtually every DUI related law has been passed under Democratic legislatures.

DUI has bipartisan support ... too bad the laws are still rather weak.

DUI is no different than any other crime ... probable cause is sufficient for an arrest. Evidence (blood or breath) does not require an attorney. And the suspect can always refuse to talk to us.

- Carl

[BigMistakeFl]

It's true about what you say being used against you. If you had said nothing, not admitted to having had anything to drink nor coming from a bar, those two parts would not be used now as evidence. So it's better to say nothing at all than to tell the truth. However, the BAC clearly proves that you were driving drunk, and that evidence will not be defeated. Wanna hire a lawyer? Go ahead, but the evidence is against you. You don't get a refund if he doesn't get the charges dropped. Chances are, the lawyer will get you the minimum first timer penalties.

If it were me, I'd research the penalties for first time DUI (assuming it is first time) and under twice the legal BAC limit. Provided that your driving record is not stained with tons of tickets, you should not worry about jail time. Go to court one morning and just watch the proceedings. You'll see a couple of DUI's. I'd enter a plea of "no contest" with a public defender and get started on the penalties. You may find that the community service is something you actually enjoy. Some of us have.

[Labtec600]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahahahahaahahahahah

Yeah, It's all BUSH'S FAULT!!!!

[CdwJava]

Originally Posted by tazerman

Rule 1. Never admit your coming from a bar.rule 2 which is the most important of all, never ever admit you had any drinks. tell him or her you want an attorney if your #########.just be quiet your words convict you.

Rule 3 - never tell the nice officer you've had "Two drinks" ... we KNOW that's a lie.

- Carl