As we approach the end of the year, now is a time when many people need to be especially careful to avoid a DUI. The police increase their presence on Pennsylvania’s highways and local roads during the holiday season, and many local jurisdictions use DUI checkpoints to catch drivers who have had too much to drink.

If you find yourself facing a holiday DUI or if you get arrested for DUI in 2025, it will be important to make sure you know how to protect yourself. With this in mind, here is a look back at some of the resources we published in 2024:

What to Know About Pennsylvania’s DUI Laws After an Arrest

If you find yourself facing a DUI charge in Pennsylvania, you need to make sure you have a clear understanding of how the law applies in your specific case. For example, Pennsylvania law establishes three levels of DUI charges, each with its own set of penalties.

Even though Pennsylvania is one of the limited number of states that allows the expungement of DUI charges, you do not want to rely on having your conviction expunged. You won’t be eligible to file for expungement for years; in the meantime, you could face various life-altering consequences. Learn more: Pennsylvania DUI Laws: What You Need to Know After a Drunk Driving Arrest.

What to Do (and What Not to Do) After a DUI Arrest

Once you get arrested for DUI, you need to be very careful to protect yourself. At this point, it is up to you to make sure you do not face unnecessary consequences. There are both steps you need to take and mistakes you need to avoid, and you must be very careful to ensure that you do not lose opportunities to present a strong defense. Learn more: DUI Arrest in Pennsylvania: What to Do.

What to Expect During Your DUI Case in Pennsylvania

Along with making sure you know what to do (and what not to do) while you have a DUI charge pending, it is also essential to know what to expect during your DUI case. There are seven significant steps in a Pennsylvania DUI case, each of which presents risks and opportunities.

The more you know, the more comfortable you will be and the less likely you will make mistakes that jeopardize your defense. With this in mind, if you are facing a DUI charge, we strongly encourage you to read Facing a DUI Charge in Pennsylvania: What Are the Steps in Your Case?

Deciding How to Approach Your DUI Defense

While you have the right to fight your DUI charge in court, this is just one of a handful of available options. As a result, while going to trial might be your best option, it also might not.

Making an informed decision about how to approach your case is critical for maximizing your chances of achieving a favorable outcome in light of the circumstances at hand. Should you start preparing for the trial? Or should you take a different approach to your defense? To learn about the options that may be available to you, you can read:

Avoiding One of the Costliest Mistakes You Can Make

While there are many mistakes you must avoid when facing a DUI charge in Pennsylvania, there is one mistake you must be careful to avoid above all else. This is pleading guilty to your DUI.

Once you plead guilty, your case is effectively over. The judge will sentence you, and you will have a DUI conviction on your permanent record. Regardless of the facts of your case, you have defenses available, and you owe it to yourself (and your family) to fight your DUI by all means available. To find out why pleading guilty is a mistake you can’t afford to make, read Why You Should Never Plead Guilty to DUI in Pennsylvania.

Keeping Evidence Out of Your DUI Case

As we just mentioned, many potential defenses to DUI charges exist in Pennsylvania. One common defense strategy is to keep the prosecution’s evidence out of court. If prosecutors can’t use their evidence against you, they won’t be able to meet their burden of proof.

How can you keep the prosecution’s evidence out of your DUI case? The answer to this question depends on the circumstances presented. Learn more: 7 Ways to Keep Evidence Out of a DUI Case in Pennsylvania.

Deciding Whether to Request a Jury Trial

In Pennsylvania, some DUI defendants have the right to a jury trial, and some do not. Even if you have the right to a jury trial, this doesn’t necessarily mean that empaneling a jury is in your best interests. With this in mind, if you have questions about requesting a jury trial, we encourage you to read DUI Jury Trials in Pennsylvania: What You Need to Know if You’ve Been Arrested.

Protecting Yourself By All Means Available

As we said above, due to the substantial risks of facing a DUI charge in Pennsylvania, you owe it to yourself (and your family) to protect yourself by all means available. But what does this mean, exactly? To learn more about what you can do—and what you need to avoid doing—to protect yourself, you can read:

DUI Consequences for Doctors and Other Medical Professionals

Finally, if you work in the medical profession, a DUI conviction could have far-reaching consequences for your career. It could even put your medical license in jeopardy. With this in mind, you cannot afford to take chances and need to start working on your defense with an experienced DUI lawyer immediately. Learn more: DUI Consequences for Doctors and Other Medical Professionals in Pennsylvania.

Facing a DUI in Pennsylvania? Contact Us for a Free Consultation Today

Are you facing a DUI in Pennsylvania? If so, we can help, but you must contact us promptly. Call 267-758-2228 or tell us how we can reach you online now to arrange a free consultation.