Being charged with DUI can affect every part of a person’s life, including how he or she makes a living. A 27-year-old delivery company driver will need to fight a drunk driving charge aggressively after being arrested for allegedly being under the influence of alcohol and marijuana. Police say they found an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.
According to Pennsylvania state police, the accused struck three vehicles. Several passengers in those vehicles were taken to different hospitals in the area. The incident happened outside of Pittsburgh on a busy highway during rush hour. Police also allege that they found cannabis in the delivery truck.
In Pennsylvania, once police have arrested someone for drunk driving, the State must prove DUI beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a conviction. To be found guilty of drunk driving, the accused must have a minimum blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above. There are actually three levels of impairment in Pennsylvania. The other two consist of having a BAC of .10 to .159 percent or .16 percent or higher, which is the highest alcohol rate for which the punishment is most severe.
A Pennsylvania attorney can assist a client who has been charged with drunk driving to possibly avoid a conviction or minimize any penalties associated with a conviction. Pennsylvania takes drunk driving very seriously, and so those accused are often charged with the maximum penalty allowed by law. A criminal defense attorney will investigate all documentation, interview any witnesses and make sure the accused person’s rights weren’t violated at the time of arrest.
