Our Pennsylvania DUI/DWI Defense Practice

If you have been arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you want an experienced criminal defense lawyer to protect your constitutional rights and liberty. The consequences of a conviction can be devastating. In addition to substantial fines, you could face incarceration and the long-term loss of your driver’s license. You could also lose your automobile insurance and put your employment at risk. There are alternatives to incarceration, mandatory under certain circumstances.

At Goldman Law Offices, we have protected the rights of people in and around the Philadelphia metropolitan area since 1951. We are highly respected by our colleagues in the legal profession and have been named in The Best Lawyers in America® every year since its inception in 1983. We have attorneys who are AV Preeminent® or BV Distinguished® peer-review rated through Martindale-Hubbell, and Mr. Goldman has consistently been named to the list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers every year since its inception in 2004.

Fight Back Against The Consequences Of A DUI Charge

We handle all matters related to drunk driving charges, from the administrative hearing to determine the status of your driving privileges, to the criminal proceedings designed to establish guilt or innocence, to sentencing. We represent clients through the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program. We represent first time, as well as repeat, offenders.

When you hire us to defend you on charges of drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs, we will conduct a thorough investigation of the facts of your case. We look first at the details of your arrest. We will carefully review police records and question witnesses to verify first, that law enforcement officers had probable cause to make the traffic stop and second, that you were properly advised of your rights when taken into custody. We will examine the evidence to confirm whether field sobriety and blood alcohol/breathalyzer tests were correctly administered, and we verify that test results and other evidence were not compromised.

Contact Our Office

To arrange an appointment with an experienced Drunk Driving Defense attorney, contact us online or call us at 215-348-2605.

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PERSONAL INJURY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I Was Pulled Over for a DUI. Blood Was Drawn at Hospital. Will the Police Be Coming To Arrest Me?

In Pennsylvania, following an arrest for DUI, police generally proceed with the filing of a criminal complaint at the magisterial district court. The court will be sending a copy of the criminal complaint to you, along with a date for a preliminary hearing. It is unlikely that the police will come to your house to serve you with a criminal complaint, unless you fail to respond.

I Refused a Blood Test. What Will Happen to Me?

Under the Implied Consent Law, an operator is deemed to have given consent to a chemical test for blood alcohol content in blood, breath or urine. If a police officer has reasonable cause to believe that you were operating a motor vehicle while impaired, he or she has the right to request a chemical test. There are certain requirements imposed upon the police officer. Your failure to submit to a blood test will likely result in notification from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation that your operating privileges in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be suspended for a period of one year.

I Was Arrested for DUI. Will I Go to Jail if I Am Convicted?

In Pennsylvania, there is an alternative to a criminal prosecution. It is known as the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program. If accepted into this program, and following its successful completion, there will be no criminal conviction and you would be eligible to have your criminal record expunged.

However, if you are not eligible for ARD, the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code requires that a judge impose certain mandatory sentences upon conviction for a DUI. This would include incarceration. However, there are alternatives to jail and we welcome the opportunity to discuss that with you.

What Is ARD? Am I Eligible for ARD?

ARD stands for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition. Each county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a different program. Suitability for admission into the program differs. The District Attorney's office must move your admission into the program. Call us to discuss the eligibility requirements. The ARD program affords you an opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction, mandatory one year license suspensions, and jail.

If the Officer Did Not Read My Miranda Warnings, Does That Mean They Can’t Convict Me?

No. Miranda warnings are sometimes not given and the police did not act inappropriately. Miranda Warnings are the explanation of your rights as required by Miranda v. Arizona. There is no set language but it includes the right to remain silent, statements can be used against you and the right to an attorney, and if you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you. These warnings however only apply after you are arrested. Therefore, an officer may ask you, and has been trained to ask you questions like "How much have you had to drink?" before they place you under arrest.

Any responses you give to these questions before arrest may be introduced against you without Miranda warnings being read. If the officers believe they have all the information they needed, they may not read them at all. If you are arrested and then were asked incriminating questions (not name, date of birth, etc) without first being read your Miranda warnings, then the answers you gave to those questions may be dismissed by the court, but any answers given prior to the arrest may still be used against you.

Can Police Question Me Without an Attorney?

Yes and No. You do not have the right to call an attorney from the police station but you do not have to answer any questions without the presence of an attorney.

The court system can be extremely overwhelming and intimidating, especially if this is your first time attending court. And if this is your second or multiple offense for DUI, there are more reasons that you need our legal counsel. You will want to consult with an attorney before attending any hearing to find out what is going to happen and what process you will follow. Our firm will make the process less intimidating and allow you to feel confident in achieving the best possible outcome for you.

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News
DUI Blood Test Consequences and Implied Consent Law
December 5, 2022
What Happens if I Refuse a Blood Test During a DUI Arrest? When it comes to DUI (Driving Under the Influence) cases, the law places significant importance on accurately determining a driver's blood alcohol content (BAC). This emphasis stems from the concept of "implied …READ MORE
Did Your DUI Offense Occur On A Highway Or Trafficway?
February 27, 2022
DUI statutes only apply to the operation of vehicles on a "highway" or "trafficway." A "highway" is: The entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular …READ MORE
What Is Involved With The DUI Process?
February 1, 2022
The traffic stop — Law enforcement is required to have reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred or that a motor vehicle violation has been committed before they are entitled to stop your vehicle. Contrary to popular belief, they may not pull you over "just because they feel like it." …READ MORE

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