Senate Bill 961 was passed in Pennsylvania late in December, 2018. This bill outlines stricter penalties for repeat DUI offenders.

Driving on a Suspended License

If you have already had your license suspended for a previous DUI and you are pulled over, you can now expect more severe penalties.

  • The first time being caught driving on a suspended license due to DUI is a summary offense. The penalty will include a $500 fine and 60-90 days in jail.
  • The second time being caught driving on a suspended license due to DUI is also a summary offense. The penalty is increased to a $1,000 fine and a minimum of 90 days in jail.
  • The third time being caught driving on a suspended license due to DUI has been increased to a misdemeanor. The penalty includes a fine of $2,500 and a mandatory minimum of 6 months in jail.

Homicide in DUI

The penalties for killing someone while driving under the influence has increased.

  •  If a person commits vehicular homicide while driving under the influence, there is a minimum sentence of 5 years if the person has a previous DUI conviction.
  • This is increased to 7 years per victim if the driver has 2 or more previous DUI convictions.

Felony DUI

The law now has harsher sentencing for repeat offenders.

  • Fourth offense DUI’s are now graded as felony offenses regardless of the BAC level at the time of arrest.
  • Third offense DUI’s with a BAC of %.16 or higher are now graded as a felony.

Learner’s Permit DUI Law

A licensed driver can no longer be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while accompanying a driver on a learner’s permit. If caught doing so, the licensed driver can be charged with DUI as a passenger.

As Always

If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI in South Eastern PA, contact the experienced legal team at the Law Office of Vincent J. Caputo. Your future? Our priority!