third (or more) Offense DUI/DWI

Pennsylvania third (or more) Offense DUI/DWI DUI/DWI Attorney

What you need to know

If you have had two or more DUI/DWI charges within that past 10 years, it is likely that you are facing at least a third offense DUI/DWI and can be subject to very serious penalties including fines and mandatory jail time. In Pennsylvania, a three-tiered system is used to establish penalties according to the person's blood alcohol content ("BAC") as well as the number of previous DUI offenses the person has. Other factors are also considered and will be further explained.
Here are the general guidelines and sentencing that apply to a third (or more) offense DUI charge (other factors involving the specific offense may affect these guidelines):
Tier 1 DUI
General Impairment

75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(a)

  • BAC: .08-.099
  • Third Offense:
    • Misdemeanor​ (2nd Degree)
    • Sentence: Jail - 10 days to 24 months max.
    • Fine: $500 - $5,000 max.
    • License Suspension: 1 year
    • Ignition Interlock: 1 year
  • Fourth Offense or More:
    • Felony​ (3rd Degree)
    • Sentence: Jail - 10 days to 7 years max.
    • Fine: $500 - $5,000 max.
    • License Suspension: 1.5 year
    • Ignition Interlock: 1 year
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Tier 2 DUI
High Rate

75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(b)

  • BAC: .10-.16%
  • Third Offense:
    • Misdemeanor​ (1st Degree)
    • Sentence: Jail - 90 days to 5 years max.
    • Fine: $1,500 min. to $10,000 max.
    • License Suspension: 1.5 year
    • Ignition Interlock: 1 year
    • Fourth Offense or More:
      • Felony​ (3rd Degree)
      • Sentence: Jail - 1 year to 7 years max.
      • Fine: $1,500 min. to $10,000 max.
      • License Suspension: 1.5 years
      • Ignition Interlock: 1 year
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Tier 3 DUI
Highest Rate

75 Pa.C.S. § 3802(c)

  • BAC: .16% and above
  • Third Offense or More:
    • Felony​ (3rd degree)
    • Sentence: Jail - 1 year to 7 years max.
    • Fine: $2,500 min. to $15,000 max.
    • License Suspension: 18 months
      Ignition Interlock: 1 year
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Other factors are important following a DUI arrest including circumstances surrounding the arrest including whether there was an accident, underage children in the vehicle, and other factors that could affect your case. In addition, your criminal history, DUI related or not, can play a big factor in how the punishment(s) will be applied. There are important steps you should take to preserve your rights with a DUI arrest including asserting your 5th amendment privileges which allow you to remain silent. Again, anything you say to the arresting officer can and will be used against you in your DUI case.

Following your arrest, you will promptly (within 2-3 days) be arraigned of your charges.  An arraignment hearing is required to inform the defendant of their rights and the specific criminal charges they are facing.  

Following the arraignment, a preliminary hearing (within 30-60 days) will be scheduled. A preliminary hearing is one of the most steps in the process and can usually influence whether your case is going to trial and if so, how good your chances are of prevailing at trial. It is imperative that you retain an experienced DUI attorney prior to your preliminary hearing. At the preliminary hearing, your attorney will have the opportunity to cross examine the arresting officer and/or any witnesses. The preliminary hearing is the first opportunity to evaluate the veracity of the DUI charges that you are facing so it is of the upmost importance to have attorney representation.

Again, it is imperative that you contact an experienced DUI defense attorney as soon as possible after your arrest. These cases move quickly and time is of the essence. The prosecution is working on your DUI case from the second you are pulled over so you need someone working for you as soon as possible. Contact our office if you need more information or explore our other pages for more information regarding DUI's in Pennsylvania.

For more information about DUI/DWI Defense and your rights, call 570-852-2175 or contact us online today for your free consultation!

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