First-Time DUI Offenses

First Offense DUI: Your Legal Options

For many people, being arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated is their first real experience with Pennsylvania's criminal justice system. It's also frightening and stressful. If you have recently been arrested and charged with a first offense DUI, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at The Law Offices of Gary E. Gerson as soon as possible.

At the Law Offices of Gary E. Gerson, we handle first offense DUI cases for clients in the Pittsburgh area and throughout western Pennsylvania. Our attorney, Gary E. Gerson, has more than 20 years of experience in the criminal courts of western Pennsylvania and our entire firm is committed to using whatever legal and ethical means we can in order to obtain the best possible results for every client.

Penalties for conviction in a first offense DUI case, especially in those with a low BAC result, are not as severe as other charges but are severe nonetheless. Possible outcomes include a dismissal of all charges, reduced charges, minimum sentences, and in some cases, your placement into Pennsylvania's Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program. ARD is essentially a diversion program that can help you avoid the more serious costs associated with a DUI conviction. An ARD program may include:

• license suspension of up to 60 days
• community service
• probation
• restitution
• court and administrative costs
• alcohol treatment and costs

Eligibility for ARD is dependent on a number of potential conditions the main ones of which are no previous DUI convictions in the last 10 years and no previous participation in an ARD program. Our attorney will explain these requirements and help you to understand what your legal options and rights are.

Call us toll free at (800) 514-1660 or contact us via e-mail for a free consultation and immediate legal assistance.