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Not only are you an excellent attorney, but a good person who truly cared about me and always did your best to help me. I am so grateful for being given a second chance. —TomDave Shrager successfully lobbied for my felony charge to be completely withdrawn. His services were worth every dime. A highly personable, intelligent, and competent attorney, I would recommend Dave Shrager to my closest friends and family without hesitation. —RonDave knows the system better than any lawyer in Pittsburgh due to his family's local and long-standing practice, and it was evident in the positive manner in which the judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers responded to Dave's arguments on my behalf. —JimI cannot say thank you enough to David Shrager for all his help today! If it were not for this guy, I would no longer have a job or drivers license. So thanks again Dave, you're the best! —BillI was in a bad place in my life...I was making bad decisions, which led to my having a really bad night and lots of legal trouble. I'm lucky I had Attorney David Shrager at my side. He helped guide me, with his legal expertise, through a very difficult time in my life. —Tamika
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Felony DUI in Pennsylvania

A DUI in PA can be charged as an ungraded misdemeanor, misdemeanor of the first degree or felony of the third degree. A felony DUI is the most serious offense and is triggered as the result of multiple prior DUI convictions.

When is a DUI in PA a Felony?

Under the following situations a DUI will be charged as a felony of the third degree under PA DUI Law §3803. Grading:

1 If an individual is arrested for DUI and that person a) has three or more prior DUI convictions or b) has previously been convicted of homicide by vehicle while driving under influence.

2 If an individual refuses testing of breath or chemical testing pursuant to a valid search warrant AND that individual has two or more prior DUI convictions.

3 If an individual is charged with DUI Highest Rate of Alcohol (§3802(c)) AND that individual has two or more prior DUI convictions.

4 If an individual is charged with DUI related to Controlled Substances (§3802(d)) AND that individual has two or more prior DUI convictions.

5 If an individual is charged with DUI where a minor under 18 years of age was an occupant in the vehicle when the violation occurred, AND that individual has two or more prior DUI convictions.

What are the Penalties for a Felony DUI Conviction in PA?

Even though all felony DUI charges in PA are felonies of the third degree, the penalties vary depending upon the circumstances. In other words, the penalties for different felony DUIs are not all the same. However, all felony DUI convictions involve mandatory imprisonment, large fines and prolonged license suspensions.

Pending Felony DUI Laws

Importantly, there is pending legislation as of March 2022 that seeks to increase the severity of the consequences for felony DUI offenders. Most notably is the provision seeking to include the grading of felony of the second degree under certain circumstances.

Contact a Felony DUI Lawyer in Pittsburgh, PA

When a DUI is charged as a felony the stakes could not be higher. Therefore the legal strategies used to defend these cases are often different than those used in typical misdemeanor DUI cases.

At Shrager Defense Attorneys our DUI lawyers regularly represent and help individuals in PA who are faced with these serious charges. Please consider contacting us for a free and confidential legal consultation to learn how we can help you.

Call 412-969-2540 right now or email us for a FREE initial legal consultation. Speak directly with Attorney David J. Shrager 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.