What offenses would lead to a mandatory driver license suspension is changing here in Pennsylvania. This is due to a bill that was signed into law by the governor late last month.

The law will get rid of mandatory license suspensions for certain types of crimes. This includes drug offenses not connected to driving.

You left a bar after a night out with colleagues, and you decided to drive after drinking. Unfortunately, you committed an insignificant traffic violation, and an officer pulled you over on a DUI suspicion. After breathalyzing, you are charged and arrested for a DUI.

Driving under the influence of alcohol constitutes a serious offense in many states. In Pennsylvania, the severity of your intoxication and the circumstances of your DUI charge may determine the level of punishments given to you by a criminal law judge. It proves essential to speak with an attarney if facing a DUI charge, as defense attarneys’ experience may provide you with the expertise in defense in avoiding more serious penalties.

In Pennsylvania, many motor vehicle offenses result in a driver's license suspension that isn't immediately apparent to the driver. One such offense is driving a vehicle with a suspended registration. Vehicle registration can be suspended for 3 reasons - lapse in insurance coverage, as the result of a citation or accident, or because of unpaid Turnpike tolls. Most suspensions are for 3 months. Appeals of a PennDot license suspension must be filed within 30 days of the date that the suspension notice is mailed. The appeal is heard by the Court of Common Pleas. Registration suspension can often be ended immediately by providing proof of insurance coverage and paying a large fine. Once a vehicle's registration is suspended, if the car is driven by the owner, or with permission of the owner, the owner can be charged with violating 75 Pa. C.S. 1371. The criminal penalty for this offense is only a fine of $100 - $500 and it is handled in front of a Magisterial District Judge. But, a conviction will result in a separate and automatic 3-month driver's license suspension by PennDot. This may be an unexpected consequence for many people who have pled guilty to the traffic ticket.

While underage drinking may not seem like a decision that will have long term consequences, many Berks County college students find out the hard way that the penalties can be stiff. While it is most commonly referred to as the underage drinking law, the law in Pennsylvania penalizes more than just the consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of 21. In Pennsylvania it is illegal for a person under the age of 21 to attempt to purchase as well as to purchase, consume, possess or knowingly and intentionally transport liquor or malt or brewed beverages. The punishment for violating the underage drinking law is a fine and a driver's license suspension. For a first offense underage drinking charge in Berks County, a fine of up to $500 is permitted and a 90 day license suspension is required. A second conviction for underage drinking involves a penalty of a fine not to exceed $1,000 and a 1 year license suspension. Third and subsequent offenses subject the defendant to a fine of up to $1,000 and a 2 year license suspension.