I am from PA and am 18 years old.
Last night I was pulled over a few hours after I had some beers for running a stop sign without slowing down at all. The officer smelled alcohol on my breath. He asked if I had been drinking and eventually I admitted to having a few beers. Fast forward, I blow a .025 and am arrested, given a blood test at the hospital, and released.
This was my first DUI, and otherwise I have no record. For reference, PA has a "zero tolerance" policy and as far as I understand it, drunk driving for under-21 is >.02.
I acknowledge what I did was extremely foolish. I know I have a price to pay, but I also know there are ways I can "do my time" that will be less financially taxing to me (I'm a very low income college student).
A few questions:
I've read a little about ARD but am unsure of whether you enroll in lieu of a fine so I'd like to hear from anyone with more knowledge about the program.
Is it worth it to invest in a private lawyer, or will a public defender be able to help me?
Is it likely that since my BAC was very close to the legal limit that my charge can be reduced?
I have not yet been mailed the information about my court date or the results of the blood test (I'm not sure if they will even be sent?). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Last night I was pulled over a few hours after I had some beers for running a stop sign without slowing down at all. The officer smelled alcohol on my breath. He asked if I had been drinking and eventually I admitted to having a few beers. Fast forward, I blow a .025 and am arrested, given a blood test at the hospital, and released.
This was my first DUI, and otherwise I have no record. For reference, PA has a "zero tolerance" policy and as far as I understand it, drunk driving for under-21 is >.02.
I acknowledge what I did was extremely foolish. I know I have a price to pay, but I also know there are ways I can "do my time" that will be less financially taxing to me (I'm a very low income college student).
A few questions:
I've read a little about ARD but am unsure of whether you enroll in lieu of a fine so I'd like to hear from anyone with more knowledge about the program.
Is it worth it to invest in a private lawyer, or will a public defender be able to help me?
Is it likely that since my BAC was very close to the legal limit that my charge can be reduced?
I have not yet been mailed the information about my court date or the results of the blood test (I'm not sure if they will even be sent?). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
