A panel of Pennsylvania Superior Court judges has ruled that a man serving a prison sentence for offenses including vehicular homicide, aggravated assault and DUI should have a new trial. The judges determined that the York County judge who presided over the case made...
The penalties for violating Pennsylvania’s implied consent law
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Jul 23, 2020 | DUI
Police officers in Pennsylvania and around the country usually ask motorists to provide a breath sample for toxicology testing when they suspect that they are driving under the influence of alcohol. Drivers are required to submit to such tests under the provisions of...
DUI law may change for medical marijuana users
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Jul 22, 2020 | DUI
Medical marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania, but it is not legal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana. Unlike with alcohol, there is no reliable breath test that can show whether a driver is presently under the influence of marijuana, which...
What illegal drugs are people caught driving on?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Jul 13, 2020 | DUI
Driving while under the influence of drugs is surprisingly common, even though it is illegal in every state. Surprisingly, some drivers say they don’t know that driving on certain drugs is dangerous, but it can be. Just as important, you can be charged with DUI for...
Repeat DUI convictions have severe consequences
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Jun 10, 2020 | DUI
When you are driving home after a night out, being stopped by the police can mean serious criminal charges. If you have a previous drunk driving conviction on your record, the consequences of this stop could put your finances and freedom at risk. Pennsylvania law...
Penalties for a second DUI in Pennsylvania
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Apr 30, 2020 | DUI
Driving under the influence is a serious offense because it endangers both the driver and everyone else on the road. A first offense carries steep penalties in the state of Pennsylvania, but second DUIs include even higher consequences. DUI laws are nuanced in...
Pennsylvania drunk driving laws
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Apr 3, 2020 | DUI
Since 2003, the legal blood alcohol limit in the state of Pennsylvania has been .08%. However, the penalties that you could face if charged with drunk driving depend on your level of impairment and other factors in the case. State law recognizes three levels of...
How a DUI can impact CDL drivers in Pennsylvania
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Mar 18, 2020 | DUI
Each day, millions of people across the U.S. get out of bed and start their workdays as commercial drivers. They bring kids to school in buses, haul goods across the country in semi-trucks and operate tour buses for visitors. These are also jobs that require a...
DUI arrests do not always lead to convictions
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Feb 23, 2020 | DUI
When people are taken into custody for driving under the influence, many feel hopeless and believe that it is inevitable that they will face serious consequences that turn their lives upside down. However, it is very important to realize that DUI arrests do not always...
What if you refuse to take a breath test in Pennsylvania?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Jan 23, 2020 | DUI
Happy hour is over and now it is time to go home. You pay the tab and drive away from the bar. Suddenly, red and blue lights flash in your rearview mirror. Gulp. You had a couple of drinks, or more than a couple, but you feel fine to drive. Your heart pounds as the...
Fight to preserve your commercial vehicle license
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Jan 19, 2020 | DUI
Imagine being a surgeon who loses their sight. A singer who has their vocal cords removed. Or a baseball pitcher who has their throwing arm amputated. That’s not too far from what it’s like for a professional driver to get a DUI. A drunk-driving conviction can upend a...
Accuracy of DUI breath tests shown to be unreliable
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Jan 3, 2020 | DUI
If you are ever stopped for drunk driving, you instantly have a lot going through your mind. How much alcohol have I consumed? I thought I waited long enough to drive. Will I be arrested? What will the sobriety test be? Will I fail it? What will the breath test show?...
It’s the holiday season – be prepared for an impaired driving crackdown
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Nov 18, 2019 | DUI
The end-of-year holiday period is a time to be thankful, celebrate tradition, and spend time with loved ones. It is also notorious for aggressive impaired driving crackdowns from law enforcement. Every year, Pennsylvania authorities hold Operation Safe Holiday. In an...
Pennsylvania troopers release high DUI arrest statistics for 2018
by Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Aug 22, 2019 | DUI
State troopers in Pennsylvania have a zero-tolerance policy against driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you choose to drive under the influence, state police will be on the lookout. They will not hesitate to arrest you for a DUI if you are impaired....
DUIs and CDLs in Pennsylvania
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Jun 13, 2019 | DUI
Most drivers in Pennsylvania and elsewhere know that getting caught driving under the influence can have stiff consequences. As a commercial motor vehicle operator, however, DUI charges may have even greater repercussions. At the Bellwoar Kelly, LLP, we have helped...