Berks County DUI Defense

Being charged with Driving Under the Influence can severely impact your future. Even a first offense can result a mandatory jail sentence, thousands of dollars in fines, and a loss of your driving privileges. The Pennsylvania DUI statute calls for increased penalties based on the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream and the number of DUI offenses within the past 10 years. For instance, a 3rd Tier III DUI is a felony of the third degree with a maximum penalty of 7 years in jail and a $15,000 fine.

Pennsylvania has adopted the following 3-Tier system for DUI offenses.

• Tier 1 General Impairment - Blood Alcohol Content .08-.099
• Tier 2 DUI High Rate - Blood Alcohol Content .10-.159
• Tier 3 DUI Higest Rate or Controlled Substance - Blood Alcohol Content .16 and above and/or any amount of a controlled substance

Being arrested for DUI does not mean that you'll be convicted. You may be eligible for entry into a pretrial diversion program, such as ARD. Eligibility for the Accelerated Rehabilitative Dispostion program is at the discretion of the District Attorney's Office. Entry into the ARD program removes the mandatory jail sentence, reduces the fines, and, upon successful completion, allows for the expungement of the charges.

Berks County defendants with multiple DUI offenses may be eligible for DUI Treatment Court. Treatment Court is designed to reduce drug/alcohol-related recidivism. There are 3 Tracks designed to provide treatment depending upon the defendant's needs. To be considered a defendant must be facing a second offense, Tier III DUI or a 3rd ,DUI offense. Certain criminal offenses occurring within the past 10 years can make a defendant ineligible for Treatment Court. You should speak with an experienced Reading DUI Defense Attorney to review your eligibility for DUI Treatment Court.

Attorney Dutko's experience as a police officer makes him fully aware of how traffic stops are to be conducted. The strength of most DUI cases lie in the offier's abiity to establish reasons for the traffic stop. Attorney Dutko's experience gives him an advantage to refute the reasons for the stop and create an argument for dismissal of the charges.  

Attorney Chwiecko is a former Berks County Assistant District Attorney. Attorney Chwiecko has prosecuted hundreds of DUI cases.

will work to limit the consequences of a DUI conviction.

Whether you were stopped at a sobriety checkpoint or pulled over for a motor vehicle violation you should consult with an experienced DUI attorney to decide your best course of action. Every DUI case is unique and should be reviewed by an experienced DUI lawyer to consider and review the specific facts of the case.

Attornyeys Dutko & Chwiecko have helped clients charged with DUI throughout Berks County. Call Dutko & Chwiecko today and let us review your DUI case for FREE!