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Elements of a DUI

 

In order to convict you of the offense of driving while under the influence of an intoxicant, the district attorney must prove every element of the case against you beyond a reasonable doubt. The elements of a Pennsylvania DUI charge are driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs or in violation of the state's "per se" laws, which is an allegation that you had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or greater. 

Your defense lawyer will seek to create reasonable doubt in one or more elements of the offense of Pennsylvania DUI. Ciccarelli Law Offices will do everything possible to make the relevant challenges to the district attorney's assertions, and to seek a favorable outcome in your PA drunk driving case.

The district attorney's office will attempt to prove its case against you by introducing evidence that will include the arresting officer's testimony and the results of your chemical test and field sobriety test. If this evidence is unchallenged, the jurors in your Pennsylvania DUI case may well believe that you are guilty of drunk driving.

However, your Pennsylvania DUI attorney will seek out ways to challenge this evidence and demonstrate that it can be interpreted in more than one way. Drunk driving cases are largely based on circumstantial evidence, and jurors deciding a circumstantial case are instructed that when given two conflicting explanations, they must accept the one that points to the defendant's innocence.

Criminal courts rely on the highest level of proof in our judicial system - every element of an offense must be proven beyond reasonable doubt. Ciccarelli Law Offices will take every relevant step possible to ensure that your rights are protected and will fight hard to create reasonable doubt to your alleged guilt in your PA DUI case.