In Pennsylvania, an arrest for an alcohol or marijuana DUI can have a severe impact on your life. The fact that marijuana can stay in a person’s system for weeks after the person last smoked means that even if the blood test reveals weed in your system, you may not have been impaired at the time of the arrest. You need an attorney to help. Be aware that in PA, our legislators have criminalized driving while weed above a minimum threshold of 1ng/ml is present in your system while operating a vehicle. The fact that you have a medical marijuana card IS NOT A DEFENSE.
With your right to drive a vehicle, there is implied consent to chemical testing if you are arrested for a DUI. If you refuse to submit to chemical testing, it will not be done, but your license will be suspended for 6-18 months. You have no right to speak to an attorney before deciding if you should submit to a chemical test. You do have a right to have a physician of your own choice administer an additional test that can be admitted into evidence. This must be done as soon as possible. There are numerous options depending on your past driving record that we can help you explore. ARD programs are court supervised programs available to those who have a clean criminal record for the past ten years, no one was injured during your DUI, and your DUI did not involve a passenger under 14 years of age. Successful completion of an ARD program means you do not have to plead guilty to the DUI and the charges will be dropped! An application to the ARD program is submitted to the District Attorney for approval. Even with ARD approval, there is a 60 day license suspension in most cases. LET US HELP YOU NAVIGATE THIS PROCESS. A DUI comes with expensive consequences. Our experienced lawyers can help you select your best options.
