Pa-dui

[LEANNE3314]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? PA

I hit something on saturday night. Deployed my airbag, cracked windshield and damaged oil pan. Now, not only am I facing DUI, but i think my car is going to be totalled.

I submitted to breath and blood tests. I am not even sure what my results were. I know my record says it was above .08 but I got a charge for general impairment and high BAC. I'm not even sure what that means. I guess after the blood test results come back, if it is above .10% then I will be charged with High BAC. Does this sound right?

I have a public defender. I go to court on Wednesday October 6th. I have no idea what to expect here and the public defender is not returning my phone calls. I am hoping it is only general impairment and that I can possibly get into ARD program. I was the only person in the vehicle, no property damage, besides my car. I've never been arrested or in any kind of trouble before.

All I can do now is think about this. What would have happened if I didn't hit something and make my car stop. THank God it was only my car that got hurt, it could have been someone else. I don't know what is worse, the emotional aspect or the thought of the legal consequences.

 

[LEANNE3314]

I went to court today. The officer showed up and said that the blood results were not in, so it was continued.

I did finally get to talk to public defender, he never did return my phone calls. He just asked me if this was my first offense and mentioned ARD.

I have no idea what my BAC will come back as. I am hoping since he mentioned ARD that it is a good possibility. Now I need to wait another month and half.

I want to talk to my attorney, see if I can do CRN and Alcohol Highway Safety Course online and get started before that date. I am hoping he answers my phone calls. Does anyone have experience with this?

I have moved beyond the initial shock and trying to accept responsibility and move on.

 

[LEANNE3314]

I've been trying to get in contact with my Public Defender again with no success. My next court date is not until 11/24. Does anyone know if I can get the CRN testing and Alcohol Highway Safety Classes done before that date?

 

[CriminalLawyer]

If I am reading your posts correctly, you have not been accepted into ARD. In fact you have not even had your preliminary hearing, as such a CRN evluation does not make sense. You are going to want and see if your case is accpected into ARD, and work through the system.

 

[LEANNE3314]

I was under the impression I would have to do CRN either way. The results of that would say what kind of treatment to seek and also be part of the ARD consideration.

 

[phillydude123]

Take a look here under "Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD)":
PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services - Act 24

I was a first time offender and had a lawyer. He told me to go ahead with the CRN and schedule/pay for the ARD classes, so everything was done already when I got to the court a few months later (they accepted me for ARD but I was told they are not under any obligation to do so even though the classes were done). You have to be ready with cash or a credit card to immediately pay the fines that day and know be ready to assume they don't do payment plans. I saw some frantic people that day when they found that out. After that I don't know what happens which is why I'm on the forum here but maybe this info could help you.

 

[LEANNE3314]

I appreciate the info phillydude. What county are you in? I've seen that ARD cost varies from county to county, how much was it for you though?

 

[phillydude123]

The fines came to almost $1000 in Bucks, that was what I paid that day. Plus ARD classes before that came to a few hundred bucks and the lawyer was another $1000. Plus the fees to Pen Dot to get my license back (less than $100). You know those signs that say "DUI - you can't afford it"? They should itemize.