If you’re involved in a car accident that involves alcohol, you could be charged with DUI. This offense carries heavy penalties such as jail time, fines and license suspension.
If this occurs, it’s wise to consult an experienced criminal defense attorney for assistance. They also have the capacity to offer guidance and recommendations regarding what steps should be taken if there are questions or issues regarding your charges.
Even if the driver of an accident wasn’t impaired, police can still charge you with DUI. In such cases, police will likely arrest the person driving and investigate whether any other passengers were present during the collision.
After a DUI accident, several criminal offenses may arise, such as vehicular assault and aggravated assault. These serious offenses carry heavy penalties that could include prison time and significant fines. In addition, those charged with DUI offense may face long-term consequences, such as having their driver’s license suspended or revoked, or being placed on probation.
Vehicular Assault
Vehicular assault occurs when someone driving while impaired causes injury to another person or property. The severity of this crime varies based on the circumstances of the crash and level of intoxication present.
In Pennsylvania, those found guilty of assault based on intoxication face up to ten years in prison and a fine of $25,000.
Furthermore, there are various defenses that can be employed in such circumstances. An experienced attorney can review the evidence against you to identify any weaknesses, cross-examine witnesses and challenge prosecution evidence if needed.
Aggravated Assault
If the injuries you sustained in a DUI accident are severe, you could be charged with aggravated assault. This offense in Pennsylvania is considered a second degree felony and carries with it an unlimited prison sentence of up to ten years and fine of up to $25,000.
A lawyer experienced in aggravated assault can assist you in fighting the felony charge against you. They will explain the circumstances which negate such charges and assist with fighting for your freedom.
Hit-and-Run
Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol often opt to leave the scene of an accident, either to avoid breath tests or being arrested for DUI, or as a way to avoid paying restitution to victims involved in the incident. This practice has become commonplace in recent years as police agencies increasingly crackdown on drunk and impaired driving practices.
If you have been accused of hitting and running after a drunk driving accident, it is critical to seek legal counsel from an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible. Delaying legal advice increases the chance that you will be found guilty and convicted in court for this offense.
If you are facing charges of DUI after an accident that has injured or killed someone, seeking legal counsel is essential. Depending on the details of your case, you could be charged with murder or vehicular manslaughter. Furthermore, if someone close to you was killed in a DUI incident, their family may sue the defendant under a wrongful death claim.
For these and other DUI charges, Jeff Mass and his legal team dealing with DUI charges that you may be facing.
Discussion about this post